Seven Sydney Sunrises
There’s something day defining about watching the sun rise. I set myself a challenge recently to watch the sunrise (and the pre-dawn drama that precedes it), in different parts of Sydney. I’m a morning person so this wasn’t really much of a challenge, although choosing where to go was.
Being on the east coast, we’re spoilt for choice and it was tempting just to head to a different beach each day to watch the sun emerge from the sea. I did a bit of that, visiting some of my favourite beaches. But there are less obvious places that welcome the day with their own colourful drama, and I’ve included some of these.
Here’s what I saw, with a few tips on what to look out for, best vantage points, and nearby walks.
If you have your own special Sydney sunrise spot, I’m keen to hear about it. Many people do I know, and I’ve included a list of ten other favourite spots below (including McCallum pool in Cremorne Point, as seen above).
Collaroy-Long Reef
Photographers love this spot, especially at low tide. The colours change as the light pools in the shallows and bounces off the rocks scattered along the shore.
I visit this spot often and like to prop up my tripod or phone at sea level amid the rocks at the southern end of Fisherman’s Beach (low tide), or take a seat and watch the day dawn up on Dee Why Headland. This is also a great place to spot the spray of migrating whales off in the distance
Sunrise is a favourite time for kayakers and board riders whose silhouettes are captured crossing the light of the sun as it emerges from the sea.
Long Reef is a great spot for bird spotting at any time of day. As the sun rises, you’ll likely see swallows, cormorants, herons and pelicans, and perhaps one of the local sea-eagles or osprey.
If you’re up for a walk, you can set off on the Long Reef to Dee Why walk from here and pick up breakfast at Dee Why before looping back.
North Narrabeen Beach
My current favourite spot to see the sun rise
This has recently become my favourite sunrise spot, in part because it’s close to home but mostly because the ocean pool, surrounding rock shelf and visiting wildlife make it a magical place to watch the sun rise every time.
The Instaworthy wooden pier that runs around the pool offers vantage points at various angles. Or if the tide is low, you can walk out onto the rocks where you feel closer still to the action.
On the morning of my week of sunrises I saw dolphins and whales just off the shore and ospreys catching fish in the nearby lagoon. I also spotted crayfish, sea snails and a little octopus swimming in the shallows alongside the pool.
For a loftier view, take the stairs up to the lookout where you’ll see the dawning light reflected over Narrabeen lagoon, beach and up to Long Reef Headland.
From the lookout you could continue walking to Mona Vale, grab a bit of breakfast and walk (or bus) back to the beach.
Or you could just hang out here, take a swim, grab a coffee at the nearby cafe and watch nature at play.
The Gap
& Dunbar Head
The Gap Bluff is a gorgeous spot and a great platform from which to see the sun rise. Just ask the cockatoos!
Standing on it’s soaring cliffs with the sea pounding the rocky outcrops below, the sight of the day dawning in the ocean below is captivating. But be sure to also turn around as the light lifts, to see the glow the rising sun adds to the city skyline.
There are a few spots to stand to enjoy the beauty of The Gap in the morning. But some of the higher vantage points have their views obscured by (sadly necessary) protective fencing, so I stuck to street level.
A kilometre or two up the road from The Gap is Dunbar Head, another great vantage point, offering a similar view out to sea. It’s also home to the Macquarie Lighthouse whose bright white paintwork is bathed in a warm glow at this time of the day.
If you’re inspired to explore this beautiful area further the walking trail on Dunbar Head and The Gap Bluff will take you all the way from here to Bondi (and beyond). Or take a walk down to the bobbing boats of Watsons Bay and turn right to walk to South Head or left to explore the very pretty coastal path to Rose Bay.
Blackwattle Bay
It’s a wonderful thing to see the sun rise out of the ocean, but this spot offers an urban alternative.
Far from the ocean, this is a different kind of sunrise setting but gorgeous nonetheless.
It was dark and near deserted when I parked near the Tramsheds and took the well worn path along the foreshore all the way to the Fish Markets. As I walked, the city began to take shape and come to life around me.
From Paul IV Reserve, the Anzac Bridge looks spectacular in the predawn light, it’s reflection rippling as rowers move silently through the water. And the dawn casts the city in silhouette and shines a spotlight on the old Pyrmont Bridge.
The Fish Markets is a hive of activity and one of a few places you can get a coffee and a bite to eat if you take the path I did.
If you do walk to the Fish Markets and want to continue on, the walk along the Pyrmont Foreshore is a great way to see the city and, after this morning, on my new ‘to do at dawn’ list.
Coogee
Watch the sunrise from the beach or as you walk.
The trails in either direction are beautiful.
Coogee Beach sits on the edge of two of my favourite Sydney walks - Bondi to Coogee and Coogee to Maroubra* and this beach is a great place to set off from for either, especially in the early morning.
Coogee is a long beach, with headlands at either end offering many vantage points for early risers. But the north end of the beach is particularly pretty at this time of day and where many head to see the sunrise.
Standing up near the Surf Life Saving Club you can watch the colours change and play over the Ross Jones Memorial Pool. Down on the sand, the pool’s sandcastle-like turrets offer the perfect foreground for a sunrise shot.
*Mahon Pool at Maroubra is not one I visited on my week of sunrises but one I love to see for a low tide dawn and certainly one to add to the list.
Kirribilli & Lavender Bay
Nothing says Sydney like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and you can see both illuminated from the east at this sunrise spot.
The path around Kirribill is a popular pre-work exercise route for many. But if you get up super early, especially in summer, it can feel like you have the city all to yourself.
I started from the Kirribilli foreshore opposite the Opera House and walked around to Kirribilli Point where you can see over to Garden Island and the eastern sky, particularly pretty when there are scattered clouds, dusted in pink.
Over in Lavender Bay, past Luna Park and just a short walk from here, you get a different, though equally beautiful perspective. Moored boats in the foreground catch the light as the sun rises and reflects off the buildings to the west.
Just up the steps from Lavender Bay is Wendy’s Secret Garden. Continue on to Milsons Point and back to the start to complete the Kirribilli Loop.
Bronte Beach
Bronte Beach is on everyone’s list of best sunrise spots and it’s easy to see why.
There were more people watching the day begin here than I’d seen on any other morning. And the sunrise seemed to be more drawn out, more dramatic somehow and the colours, deep purple through to glistening gold, were incredible.
I arrived when it was still dark and parked close to the ocean pool, which is, as at other beaches, the best vantage point.
The pool, elevated with an infinity edge would have to be the best place to sit and watch the sunrise. But standing back from it was pretty special too and the sky was like a curtain rising behind it.
As I watched, people came and went to the pool and the bogey hole beside it, some doing laps, others stopping still to take in the action.
By the time the sun lifted itself out of the water there was quite a crowd gathered proving once again the power of nature’s pull.
By the time the sun’s up, there are plenty of cafes in Bronte, ready to serve coffee and breakfast and I took advantage of that and the fact that there are no parking limits so early in the day.
Bronte Beach sits on the trail of the Bondi to Coogee Walk and if you set out in either direction you won’t be disappointed..
More great Sydney sunrise spots
There are SO many great places to watch the sunrise over this beautiful city - perhaps you have your own favourite? Here are some others to add to the list.
Dawes Point
Observatory Hill, The Rocks
From the pedestrian pathway (or atop!) the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Bondi Icebergs Pool
Hornby Lighthouse
Mahon Pool Maroubra
Manly Beach
McCallum Pool Cremorne Point
Bradley’s Head
North Head