SYDNEY
Best Sunset Spots
The sad reality is that the more famous the skyline, the harder a sunset will be to capture. Cue the bridge and opera house! The true challenge of photographing Sydney’s epic sunset is an amalgamation of the thousands of other eager hobby photogs mixed with the odd angle of the sun setting to the southwest of the major landmarks. Then sprinkle in a huge, incredibly busy and unyielding body of water and you have the absolute hardest sunset I’ve ever photographed,three freezing nights in a row.
Don’t worry… I put in the work so you won’t have to!
Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair-ish
Mrs. Macquerie’s Point
I’ve got the inside scoop for you kids, and that is Mrs. Mac’s Chair DOES NOT FACE THE SUNSET. The place you’re looking for is on the other side of the peninsula called Mrs. Macquarie’s Point.
First off, you’re welcome, because everywhere else you read on the internet people will tell you otherwise. But the truth is that the sun sets in the west, and Mrs. Mac’s chair points east to the harbor entrance, where she sat awaiting her long lost husband to arrive home from sea. Sad story aside, you’ll find the primo spots are around the bend. You’ll know where to go if you just follow the hoards of people, and the shining yellow thing descending in the sky.
Jeffrey St. Wharf
20 Jeffreys St, Kirribilli
Just below Kirribilli Lookout (God I love Australian names!), is Jeffrey St. Wharf. As I mentioned above, depending on the time that you’re visiting Sydney, the sun does not simply fall directly behind the bridge and the opera house perfectly as all other travel bloggers would like you to believe. I visited in August and it had a super fun way of swinging far left over the CBD so that by the time it had set, the major players were dark, shadowy figures barely in focus.
Save yourself the trouble, and the hoards of people, and head here instead! From this angle, the winter skyline is right insight and makes for a beautiful shot.
Queens Ave.
Queens Ave. residential, Vauclause
Not for the faint of heart!! This one is way outside the beaten path and if you’re only in town for a couple of days, I’d rethink this stratedy. But if you’ve got the time or you’re going out that way anyway, definitely make the trip.
Vauclause is a suburb of Sydney to the east of Sydney Harbor. It is actually the peninsula between the city center and the Tasman Sea. A small piece of heaven if you’re aim to to see a pod of migrating humpbacks or to experience the super rad surf towns along the coast. Take a day trip out to Bondi, do the Bondi to Bronte walk, catch Hornby Lighthouse, and come back around to enjoy the sights from across the bay.
Bradleys Head
Wheat Rd, Sydney
Lots of people rave about the view from Taronga Zoo. Well, yes you can kind of see it-ish, or you could do yourself a favor and drag your ass out to the end of the peninsula, where you’ll find Bradleys Head and a much less interrrupted view, and from the right angle! Yay!
The primary real estate that Taronga Zoo sits on is also shared by the Sydney Harbor National Park. This means there is a paved walking track around the perimeter of the peninsula for your viewing enjoyment. Get there early so you can do Bradleys Walk and see the bay from all angles before committing to a location.