I lived in Sydney for 6 months, and during that time, one of my missions was to seek out all of the best Sydney sunset spots myself. I explored all around the harbor, did as many coastal walks as I could find, climbed all the hills, did all the hikes, took ferries, and even went to a rooftop or a few to compile this list here.
Finding the best Sydney sunset spots is a little bit tricky. The city generally faces the sea to the East, and as a sunset guru like me would know, this means sunsets are not over the ocean like we would like them to be! 😛
But, luckily, Sydney is comprised of many curvy bays, inlets, and hills. So finding the best place to watch sunset in Sydney, even over the water, is not too hard if you just do a bit of searching! You can even find beach sunsets in Sydney in certain places – keep reading to learn about them all.
After all this, I think I can confidently tell you the most unique and best sunset Sydney can offer – all from my own adventures, for you to check out for yourself! I also have a lot of other Sydney guides if you’re interested, such as:
- The best coastal walks in Sydney (all of them, with sunset spots too)!
- Solo Travel in Australia tips
- Guide to Manly Beach
- and more!
Dudley Page Reserve: Sydney Skyline View Sunset Over the Water
I kind of stumbled upon this amazing little Sydney sunset view on a bike ride one day. Situated on a big hill, the Dudley Page Reserve is a park North of Bondi that faces West and directly at the beautiful Sydney city skyline and Harbor Bridge.
This perfect combination of features makes it one of the very best sunsets in Sydney – or more specifically, one of the best sunset picnic spots Sydney has overlooking the city AND the harbor. You can’t get much better!
Bring a picnic or a blanket and relax on the grass to see the sky change colors directly over the iconic Sydney skyline . You may even see some silhouetted planes cruising past the skyscrapers to the airport, or even a charter plane coming in to land (there are lots in Sydney)! This sunset spot in Sydney is shown in the feature image above.
Manly Wharf/Ferry Sunset from the Beach/Water
For a lovely Sydney sunset over the water, take the Manly Ferry over to Manly Wharf from Circular Quay. This mini beach faces away from the open water, a bit West and towards the sunset.
The ferry itself offers a great sunset view from the water, making it a perfect spot to plan your sunset experience. The ferry ride is quick and scenic way to do a harbor cruise for a more affordable price.
Or, you can grab a drink at any of the nice restaurants on the Manly Wharf. Check out more things to do in Manly Beach (where I lived in Sydney) for more info on Manly, one of what I consider the best beach towns in Australia – (even if it’s part of Sydney, Manly feels like a beach town, making it the best of both worlds!
Shelly Beach, Manly: A Secluded Sydney Beach Sunset
Another nice spot in Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is just a bit more secluded and away-from-it-all. It’s only a 10-minute walk from Manly Beach, but much smaller. The cove here wraps around from the east coast and almost turns all the way around to face at the sunset over Manly Beach to the west.
It’s a popular spot for snorkeling and diving, and some like to surf near the point or explore some trails on the headland or up towards Manly North Head. It’s a Sydney sunset spot (and super fun suburb) not to be missed!
Sydney Harbour Sunset Cruise: Best Place to Watch Sunset in Sydney from the Water
One of just a couple of touristy things I will mention here, a Sydney sunset harbor cruise is actually a fantastic option for sunset in Sydney. Go all out, treat yourself, and jump on a dinner sunset cruise that might even come with a drink or two.
What better way to catch the sunset over the water/harbor than from a boat?! Harbor cruises will take you all over Sydney Harbor to view dozens of different coves, islands, and suburbs. You will get ALL the different angles and get to see lots of iconic sights.
I honestly recommend a harbor cruise to anyone visiting Sydney; it’s one of the only super-touristy things in this city that’s REALLY worthwhile. A sunset cruise is a great way to experience a harbor cruise and check out one of the best sunsets Sydney can provide.
And it’s the best if you really want to treat yourself.
Bradley’s Head: Sydney Opera House + Harbor Bridge Sunset View
Bradley’s head might just be one of the very best Sunset spots in Sydney. It’s at the end of a little peninsula that juts out into the middle of the bay, just past Taronga Zoo and Taylor’s Bay, with over 180-degree views.
Due to its prime, mid-harbour location and west-facing direction, heading here places the sunset fairly close to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. If that’s not ideal for a Sydney sunset, I don’t know what is!
The walks around here are also gorgeous. You can explore along wooden trails amongst the trees, or even set up a picnic overlooking the harbor. Try the Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay coastal walk before enjoying the sunset.
Watson’s Bay: Perfect West-Facing Sydney Sunset Spot
Watson’s Bay juts out on a little peninsula on the southern part of Sydney Harbor. If you situate yourself on any of the inner beaches near Watson’s Bay (or any of the restaurants along the water), you’re in a fantastic spot to watch one of the best sunsets in Sydney over the whole harbor!
This is a super cute suburb with lots of small beaches, coves, shops, and boutiques in the town center. It also has bluffs and trails on the East side that have a lovely sunrise view only minutes from the sunset view.
Bradley’s Head will just barely block your view of the Harbor bridge from here, though! 🙁 So make sure to catch a sunset from both places. Watson’s Bay is actually very van-life-friendly, with plenty of places to park and watch the sunset. Start your road trip here or use it as a base to explore; check out Campervan Planet in Sydney for a great local rental.
Hermitage Foreshore Coastal Walk, Vaucluse: Coastal Walk with Sydney Sunset Views
The Hermitage Foreshore coastal walk goes from Shark Beach to Rose Bay, and has perfect West-facing sunset views throughout the entire walk. You can wind your way along small beaches and bush trails, finding awe gazing in different directions across the whole Sydney harbor and skyline.
Enjoy the sunset while walking, or stop along the beaches and settle in for a picnic. There’s plenty of space to gather with friends and enjoy food/drink at sunset, which is what many locals do.
Sydney Tower Eye: Best Place to See Sunset in Sydney over the City
Right, I know this one is also a bit touristy, but whether you are a Sydney-sider or not, you have to visit the Sydney Tower Eye at least once. I love a good view, and no matter how touristy a viewing platform is, I think they’re still enjoyable to see a place from a vantage point.
Once you get past the silly tourists and staged photos, the view is actually killer. It’s probably one of the most encompassing and best views in Sydney, especially for sunset. And you will be looking from smack dab in the middle of the CBD. Trust me on this one.
Book your tickets in advance to be here for sunset! Get an online ticket to the Sydney Tower Eye, or for a true experience:
Macquarie Point/ Mrs Macquarie’s Chair: Best Central Sydney Sunset Place
I know I have said it before, but this might just take the cake for the BEST sunset Sydney can offer! From Macquarie Point, the sunset is just perfectly situated right behind the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Plus, it’s at a closer range than it would be from Bradley’s Head.
During the right time of year, the sun actually sets right BETWEEN the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. You can’t get more Sydney than this, and it’s a perfect opportunity to explore the area. You can also sit on the historic Mrs Macquarie’s Chair!
This sunset is perfectly paired with an adventure around Sydney’s famous Botanic Gardens. You can spend a few hours exploring the gardens before making it to the point in time to see it behind the iconic opera house.
Blues Point Reserve, Lavender Bay: Coastal Sunset Spot
Blues Point Reserve is a small little park at the tip of Blue’s Point, past Lavendar Bay. The sunset does not come from entirely the correct direction in Lavender Bay, but the views are worthwhile at this time of day.
The view of the Harbour Bridge from here is spot on, and you’ll be in just the right place to see the sky change color right behind it, with a view of Luna Park too. If you walk around the end of Blues Point, you can also see the sunset over the water. It definitely deserves a mention for the best Sydney sunset spots!
La Perouse/Little Bay Sydney Sunset Spots
If you want to head a bit farther from the center of the city into South Sydney, you can watch the sunset over Botany Bay from Little Bay in La Perouse. This is another Sydney suburb that juts out past a bigger Bay, allowing for a beautiful sunset over the water.
Cape Banks or the Bare Island Fort would have the best Sydney sunset view, and this area is also lovely to check out as well. If I were you, I would spend the entire day exploring the area – there is plenty to see and do, and some great views!
Last Sydney Sunset Idea: Book a Nice High-Rise Hotel in the CBD
Some of the best views in Sydney I have seen were when I visited family/friends in their nice hotels while they were visiting. I most likely could not have afforded these places myself at the time, but if you can, by all means, DO IT. You can find some of the best sunsets Sydney can offer right from your fancy room.
The Shangri-La has the most perfect view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge that I could have ever imagined. And you can do it in your PJ’s with a glass of wine.
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To preserve the romance of a Sydney sunset forever, custom coins are a super fun travel souvenir. You can engrave your favorite sunset viewing spot, travel dates, group inside joke, or iconic Sydney landmarks on the coin, making every detail a unique expression of your Sydney story that will always remind you of your time here!
Read More About Sydney:
- Forget the Expensive Bridge Climb, Try the Sydney Pylon Lookout at the Harbour Bridge for 1/25th the Price: I would say the harbour brudge is a great sunset spot in Sydney, but the Pylon lookout is just as good too.
- 27K in One Day – Our Trek through Royal National Park in Sydney
- A Day on the Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk in Sydney
- An Adventurous Blue Mountains Day Tour from Sydney
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.