The 18 best sunrise spots in Australia

Where: Uluṟu, Red Centre, NT

How far? 5.5-hour drive from Alice Springs

When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it’s hard to beat those on offer in Australia’s Red Centre. Now, the siren’s call of the great Red Centre has become even louder thanks to an all-new, immersive Indigenous art experience. Sunrise Journeys illuminates the talents of three Anangu artists who have collaborated on a bespoke dot painting that shares the story of their deep connection to culture and Country. The vast desert landscape of Uluru and Kata Tjuta is a natural canvas for their artwork, which is recreated on the dusty red sands before sunrise using cutting-edge laser and light projection. Other more casual sunrise spots include Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku and the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area.

Where: West MacDonnell Ranges, NT

How far? Two-hour drive from Alice Springs

Watching an entire ancient desert landscape wake up at first light is one of the most magical and spiritually stirring experiences I’ve had in Australia! Towering 1,380m above the outback, Mount Sonder (Rwetyepme) forms the dramatic double-humped peak at the western end of the famous Larapinta Trail. To catch the sunrise, hikers must commence the steep, eight-kilometre climb around 2am in pitch darkness. It’s not easy, but it’s 100 per cent worth it to see the ancient ridges and spinifex valleys transform in the fiery orange light.

Where: Mount Lofty, Adelaide, SA

How far? 20-minute drive from Adelaide CBD

Ask any Adelaide dweller, Mount Lofty is one of South Australia’s crowning glories. Located in the Adelaide Hills just 17 kilometres from the CBD, it’s an idyllic high ground steeped in hiking trails, native flora-infused picnic spots and excellent photography points. Complete with a café and an overshadowing lighthouse at 710m above sea level, Mount Lofty Summit makes for a picturesque place to soak up the new day’s rays cast over central Adelaide from the east. 

Where: Kangaroo Island, SA

How far? Two-hour drive from Penneshaw ferry terminal

Aptly named, Remarkable Rocks at the tip of Flinders Chase National Park is a Kangaroo Island wonder. The commanding maze of granite boulders has formed across the past 500 million years and is peppered with golden-orange lichen that complements gleams of morning sunlight – what a time to be alive. The precarious stones cast dramatic shadows as dawn turns to day across the abstruse Southern Ocean – a remarkable sight, one may say. As with anything, keep your wits about you – smooth surfaces and unpredictable waters can be hazardous at the best of times.

Where: Rottnest Island, WA

How far? 1.5-hour ferry ride from Perth

Situated just 21km off Perth’s coastline, Rottnest is Western Australia’s isle jewel  – and not just for the drop-dead-cute marsupial quokkas. What the island lacks in square kilometres, it makes up for in marine sanctuaries, paradisal beaches and top-tier coves for witnessing divine dawns. Rainbow-like gradients grace the horizon with Bathurst Lighthouse as a backdrop for the creeping sun. It’s a sight for sore eyes, to say the least.

Where: Stirling Range National Park, WA

How far? 4.5-hour drive from Perth

‘The early bird catches the worm,’ so they say. But we’re yet to hear anyone say ‘the early bird gazes upon one of the best sunrises in Western Australia at Bluff Knoll’ – weird. Located 407km south-east of Perth, the Knoll looms as the Stirling Ranges’ highest peak at a whopping 1099m in elevation, and is blanketed by eucalypt woodlands, banksia, grass trees and rocks coming out of the wazoo. The break of day sees the heavens saturate everything in its path with the golden glow of the sun, and it’s a surefire one to contemplate. 

Where: Blue Mountains, NSW

How far? 1.5-hour drive from Sydney

If you’re partial to a lovely lookout, Echo Point isn’t just the MVP of the Blue Mountains – it was crowned one of Australia’s best lookout spots for uninterrupted gazing in 2024. At dawn, you can watch the sky swirl in all shades of yellow, orange and fairy floss pink as the sun rises from behind the legendary Three Sisters. These sandstone peaks formed thousands of years ago by erosion, and once it’s bright enough, you’ll enjoy jaw-dropping views of Mount Solitary, the Ruined Castle and the Jamison Valley. 

Where: Byron Bay, NSW

How far? Ten-minute drive from Byron Bay

Trust us: there’s more to the hippie beach town of Byron Bay than what you saw on Byron Baes. Wake up with the sun and walk along the headland to the old-fashioned Cape Byron Lighthouse (which happens to be Australia’s most easterly point). Keep your eyes out for wallabies, dolphins and even whales, and pack your swimmers for a post-climb dip in the sparkling blue shores at Wategos Beach.

Where: Departs from Lavender Bay boat ramp, Sydney, NSW

How far? Five-minute drive from Sydney CBD

Take in the sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, as the sun rises from the water on a kayaking tour. The hardest part of the adventure is getting up before 5am – but rising early gives you glassy waters and glorious photo opportunities that’ll make your hungover friends incredibly jealous on a Sunday morning.

Where: Brisbane, QLD

How far? 15-minute drive from Brisbane CBD

Welcome the new day by marinating in the Sun’s glorious beams atop Mount Coot-tha in suburban Brisbane. Positioned just seven kilometres to the west of the city centre, Mount Coot-tha well and truly rises to the occasion at 226 metres above sea level, taking claim to Brisbane’s highest point. Here, all-encompassing views of the big smoke and Moreton Bay are a spectacle to behold as the sun rises behind the vast sprawl and directly into your eyeballs. 

Where: Townsville, QLD

How far? Ten-minute drive from Townsville City

Standing proudly in the heart of Townsville is Castle Hill, a pink granite monolith that rises to a height of 286 metres and reigns over the semi-rural, Northern Queensland town. The heritage-listed Hill boasts 360-degree views from its summit and reels in the first light over the beautiful, briny Coral Sea and fringing Great Barrier Reef. With the sun inevitably rising in the east, you may just be one of the first in Australia to lay your eyes on the big ball of fire in the sky.

Where: Cape Hillsborough, Mackay, QLD

How far? 1.5-hour drive from Brisbane

Casuarina Beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park is renowned for its sunrises, and for good reason. The secluded Far North Queensland utopia is located 52km north of Mackay and sees congregations of eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies grazing the shoreline for seaweed and mangrove seed pods each morning – now that’s a breakfast with a view. As the day breaks over the Coral Sea’s horizon, the turquoise waters and pale sands contrast the resident fauna like some kind of enchanting mirage. Casuarina Beach’s first light makes for a rare instance where the sun’s flare isn’t the main event – hop to it.

Where: Grampians National Park, VIC

How far? 3.5-hour drive from Melbourne CBD

If you love a good sunrise but also love a good sleep-in, Boroka Lookout is the first light location for you. It’s the most accessible vantage point in the Grampians National Park, boasting breathtaking 360-degree vistas over Halls Gap, Lake Bellfield, and the Wonderland and Mount William mountain ranges. Boroka is a popular perch, so you’ll want to rock up early to snag a prime spot. Or, if you’re up for a bit more of a mission, head to Chatauqua Peak or Pinnacle Lookout for equally epic, less-crowded views.

Where: Hobart, TAS

How far? 30-minute drive from Hobart CBD

Ascend to new heights at kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Looming over Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, the 1,271m peak is a smorgasbord for wildlife and diverse botany, including forest, woodlands and alpine environments – not to mention an astonishing locale for panoramic sunrises. Reflections from the River Derwent illuminate the foot of the mountain, while Hobart’s neighbouring hilly terrain creates silhouettes as the sun streaks the sky. It’s not uncommon to encounter snow on top of the enormous urban mound in the height of winter – so pack your wellies and rug up for an unforgettable Tasmanian sunrise.

Where: Canberra, ACT

How far? Five-minute drive from Canberra CBD

If you’re partial to a 360-degree lookout, this short and steep trail connecting up Mount Ainslie is a must. You’ll want to time your summit with sunrise to beat the heat and enjoy the best views overlooking the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, the mountains of Namadgi National Park and beyond. If you’ve already hit your step count for the day, then you can also drive to the top of the summit with breakfast in tow.