Best Sydney Sunset Spots: Iconic to Underrated

Sydney sunset view from Darling Point

After a busy day in Sydney, what better way is there to unwind than by enjoying a view over the city at sunset?

As a city built around a harbour, central Sydney features pockets of coastal bushland, harbourside beaches, scenic parks, and towering headlands.

If you’re wondering where the best places are to see sunset in Sydney, you’re in the right place. These are some of Sydney’s very best sunset spots.

Sydney Sunset Spots Summary

There are so many incredible places to watch the sunset in Sydney. Here’s just a few to get you started:


Mrs Macquarie’s Point

Sydney sunset view
Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney

The iconic Sydney sunset spot: Mrs Macquarie’s Point. Always popular, never disappoints.

So named after the nearby Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a seat hand carved into sandstone in 1810 by convicts under instruction from Lachlan Macquarie, who was Governor of NSW at the time. Governor Macquarie had the chair created for his wife Elizabeth.

Today the harbourside point overlooks the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge and provides an ideal vantage point for watching the sunset.


McKell Park

Sydney sunset view from Darling Point
Sunset view from Darling Point Ferry Wharf at McKell Park

Whether you’re coming or going from the Darling Point ferry wharf, or just enjoying the day’s end in the adjacent McKell Park, this Sydney sunset vantage point is well worth a look. It’s an underrated gem tucked away in the harbourside eastern suburbs.


Vaucluse x Rose Bay

Sydney Harbour at sunset viewed from Vaucluse

Is this the best bus stop view in Sydney? This is the view from the bus stop at New South Head Rd near Towns Rd where Rose Bay becomes Vaucluse.

As you can see, if you alight at just the right time, you’ll be treated to an incredible view of sunset over Sydney harbour with views towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and city skyline.


Sydney Ferry

Sydney Ferry Sunset View 748x1024
A sunset view on the ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Point

Looking for a uniquely Sydney way to experience sunset?

Take the ferry from Circular Quay headed toward the eastern suburbs (Darling Point, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay), the north shore (Cremorne, Taronga Zoo), or across to Manly and score yourself a seat out the back.

From this vantage point you can look back to enjoy a sunset view of Sydney city, the Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge.


Sydney Harbour Bridge Walkway

Sydney Harbour Bridge Sunset View 1024x819
View from the Sydney Harbour Bridge pedestrian walkway at sunset

When you walk the pedestrian walkway across the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunset you’ll be treated to views of the harbour, Sydney Opera House, and city skyline.

You can enter and exit the Sydney Harbour Bridge pedestrian walkway at Cumberland St in The Rocks and Broughton St in Kirribilli.

If you’ve walked up an appetite, you’ll be pleased to find plenty of great spots to enjoy dinner close to the Bridge Stairs in both Kirribilli and The Rocks.


Observatory Park

Observatory Park in Millers Point, Sydney
Sunset overlooking Sydney Harbour from Observatory Park in Millers Point

Observatory Park at Millers Point provides views of Sydney Harbour from multiple vantage points. On one side of the park, you can look over Millers Point and Barangaroo toward Balmain and beyond, watching the sunset in the distance.

On the other side of the park, you get another angle on Millers Point combined with a view of the always iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge bathed in golden hour light.

Wander around and enjoy the views, or pick a spot and get comfy on the grass under the shade of the Moreton Bay Fig trees. Observatory Park is one Sydney sunset spot you’ll want to return to.

Sydney Harbour Bridge view from Observatory Hill during golden hour
Sydney Harbour Bridge view from Observatory Hill during golden hour

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