Last updated: November 14, 2022
Blessed with a unique city skyline, iconic landmarks, and a scenic landscape, it’s no wonder there are so many places in Sydney where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
These sunset spots can be in or close to the city, around the Harbour, along the coastline, or at one of the many beaches.
In Sydney, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, with some fluctuations throughout the seasons. As such, you need to look for places with nice views to the west to see the sun set in the evening.
We have listed 15 spots where you can watch a beautiful Sydney sunset, which will hopefully appeal to tourists and local Sydney-siders.
In no particular order, here are 15 great spots to watch a Sydney sunset. You can find the exact map location of each spot underneath the pictures.
1. Robertson Park
Robertson Park in Watsons Bay faces Sydney Harbour with beautiful views that reach to the CBD skyline. And that is what makes Robertson Park the perfect spot for a pretty sunset.
The park extends down to the water where the views are the best, with anchored vessels in the bay and the Harbour and the city in the background.
Make a day of it and explore the headland by doing the Watsons Bay circuit walk, followed by lunch or dinner at one of the many cafes, restaurants or pubs in the area.
2. Barangaroo Reserve
Barangaroo Reserve is one of Sydney’s newest parks, perfectly situated moments away from the CBD and facing Sydney Harbour.
The park is west-facing, making it a great spot to witness a sunset on a warm summer evening.
What’s great about Barangaroo Reserve is that it has multiple levels, as well as benches and large rocks along the shore where you can enjoy fantastic views.
Once the sun has set, you have the option to continue your Sydney night out at nearby Barangaroo, King Street Wharf, or Darling Harbour.
3. Fairfax Lookout
The Fairfax Lookout on Manly’s North Head is widely considered one of Sydney’s most impressive lookout points, with incredible views of the city skyline, Sydney Harbour, and the ocean on the other side.
This beautiful spot is a great place to visit during the day as well as in the evening when the sun goes down, creating a beautiful light spectacle that leaves a lasting impression.
The Fairfax Lookout is part of a 1km paved circuit walk that takes in a few more lookout points, offering panoramic views from different angles.
4. Mrs Macquaries Point
Located in the Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Point is a classic viewpoint to enjoy the beautiful city and Harbour views and watch a scenic sunset on a clear evening.
This is where Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is located; a sandstone rock cut into the shape of a bench by convicts in the early 19th century for the Governor’s wife, Elizabeth Macquarie.
It’s easy to find when walking around the peninsula from the Domain to the Royal Botanic Garden. This popular walking path extends along the shoreline to the Opera House and Circular Quay.
5. Cremorne Point Wharf
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay and cross the Harbour to visit Cremorne Point, a leafy suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney.
Walking around the Cremorne Point peninsula is always an enjoyable thing to do, but it’s even better in the evening when you can see the sun setting behind the city skyline and the Harbour Bridge.
But you don’t need to be at the wharf to watch the sunset. Follow the path on the western side of Cremorne Point and find yourself a good spot to settle in and watch the sun go down.
6. Milk Beach
One of Sydney’s favourite secluded beaches is Milk Beach, a small strip of sand facing Shark Island in Sydney Harbour, with the city skyline visible in the background.
What makes Milk Beach such an attractive spot is its perfect location in the Harbour, away from the big waves and with fantastic views to enjoy.
Go there in the late afternoon for a refreshing swim, and stick around until the evening when the sun sets before you. That is what we consider a summer’s day well spent!
7. Dudley Page Reserve
Dudley Page Reserve in Dover Heights is another popular lookout point in Sydney that is also a great spot to witness a typical Sydney sunset against the backdrop of the skyline and the Harbour Bridge.
The park has a very open, quite exposed layout, and is also slightly elevated.
This allows visitors to see the sun setting behind the Sydney skyscrapers in the distance.
8. Luna Park
Luna Park is always a fun place to visit in Sydney at any time, but it’s particularly lovely in the evenings when the lights are turned on, and the sun is setting in the west.
But you don’t actually have to go inside Luna Park to see a sunset.
Instead, you can walk around the park along the Lavender Bay shoreline to enjoy those beautiful views at dusk.
9. Manly Cove
On a warm summer’s evening, strolling around Manly Cove is certainly not a bad way to finish a busy day in Sydney.
There’s typically a lot of activity around the ferry wharf on the western side of Manly, even more so on a clear day when you can see the sun setting far ahead.
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay in the late afternoon, and head to Manly for a relaxing evening with a sunset and dinner at one of the many restaurants.
10. Observatory Hill Park
A tourist favourite, Observatory Hill Park is a historic and iconic park in Sydney.
It’s home to various historical buildings, such as the Sydney Observatory, Fort Phillip, and the Observatory Hill Rotunda.
Because of its elevated position on the north-western fringe of the Sydney CBD, Observatory Hill Park is a great spot to witness a beautiful Sydney sunset.
Once the sun has gone down, why not explore nearby The Rocks and enjoy a nice meal and a drink at one of the various heritage-listed pubs.
11. Bradleys Head
Historic Bradleys Head is a large headland along the north shore of Sydney Harbour, a highlight along various coastal walking tracks.
It’s home to a large foremast of an old navy ship that was erected there in 1934 as a monument for all Australian ships lost and all Australian sailors killed at war. You will also find a fortification complex and a scenic amphitheatre at Bradleys Head.
Due to its prime location in the Harbour, Bradleys Head is a fantastic spot to watch a Sydney sunset, with clear views of the city and the Harbour Bridge.
12. Opera House
This one may be a bit obvious, but the walking path around the Opera House is a fantastic spot to settle in on one of the benches and watch the sun go down on a clear summer evening.
Or even better, visit the Opera Bar close by if you’d like to have a drink with that.
This popular bar and restaurant offers fantastic sunset views against the backdrop of Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge.
13. Ray O’Keefe Reserve
The best Sydney sunset spots aren’t necessarily the ones that include the city skyline. Head to North Bondi and watch the sun set towards the west, behind Bondi’s beautiful strip of sand.
The Ray O’Keefe Reserve is located on the southern tip of the northern headland of Bondi Bay, also known as Ben Buckler.
When you look at the map, you can see it has that sunset-perfect west-facing location, making it a popular gathering spot on warm summer evenings.
14. Yarranabbe Park
With a great location in Darling Point along the Sydney Harbour foreshore, Yarranabbe Park is one of Sydney’s finest parks that is still a bit unknown.
It doesn’t have the best facilities, but the Harbour and city views are very nice, especially in the evening when you can watch the sun go down in the distance.
Yarranabbe Park is one of the highlights along the walking track between Rushcutters Bay and Rose Bay, and is easily accessible by car and by bus.
15. Clovelly Beach Car Park
The Clovelly Beach car park may not be the most obvious spot to watch a Sydney sunset, but the views over Gordons Bay and further south towards Coogee Beach are fantastic.
The southern section of the car park, part of the walking track between Bondi and Coogee, is a great location to settle in for a sunset on a clear day.
Once the sun has set, make a great night of it and head into nearby Coogee for a nice dinner in one of the many restaurants or pubs.