10 best sunset and sunrise spots in Melbourne

Rooftop Bar

Melbourne

Complete with AstroTurf, candy-striped deckchairs, an outdoor cinema and a well-stocked bar, this is a great place to feel like you're in the middle of the action as you watch the sun set over the skyscrapers.

Best for… simultaneous looking over people's shoulders.

Atrium on 35

Melbourne

Level 35 of the Sofitel is home to sophisticated wine bar Atrium... but between you and us, its toilets feature stunning views across the city – for free. Look across Fitzroy Gardens to the MCG… just remember to wash your hands first.

Best for… a ‘surprise and delight your friends’ sunset.

Shrine of Remembrance

Melbourne

Thousands attend the Shrine of Remembrance’s ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies, but on other days it’s eerily quiet. Sitting on the steps as the sun rises, with the Eternal Flame for company, is a truly poignant experience.

Best for… a contemplative moment.

Eureka Skydeck

Southbank

Where else would you want to watch the sun set than from the southern hemisphere’s highest viewing platform? Eureka Skydeck features floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the 360-degree view from 88 floors above street level.

Best for… acquainting yourself with the city.

1,000 Steps

The Dandenongs

The gates to the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk open at 6am and the 2.8 kilometre trek to lookout spot One Tree Hill takes around an hour. Hello, aching muscles.

Best for… a sweaty sunrise and feeling of achievement.

St Kilda Sea Baths

St Kilda

Prepare for the day ahead at St Kilda Sea Baths. The venue, which has a five-lane 25-metre seawater pool, is right on the St Kilda foreshore so you can watch the sand glisten (and the typically colourful St Kilda folk) as day breaks. Open from 5.30am Monday-Thursday.

Best for… a beautiful beach sunrise.

Royal Botanic Gardens

South Yarra

Ticket holders to Royal Botanic Gardens’ Moonlight Cinema get one of the best sunsets in town included. Relax on a picnic rug watching a beautiful view of nightfall over the city skyline – it might even impress more than the film.

Best for... a romantic sunset.

The Boatbuilder's Yard

South Wharf

Nestled in South Wharf, The Boatbuilder’s Yard doesn’t suffer from a lack of passing foot traffic. The Six Degrees-designed bar has expansive timber decks along the Yarra’s banks. Watching the sunset from here offers instant wow factor.

Best for… an ‘impress a visitor’ sunset.

Twelve Apostles

Great Ocean Road

Get up early for sunrise at the Twelve Apostles, four hours from Melbourne. Watching the morning’s first rays bounce off the iconic rugged stacks of limestone is impressive. The Apostles change colour from grey to sandy yellow as the sun rises.

Best for… a postcard-worthy sunrise.

Flagstaff Gardens

West Melbourne

Melbourne’s first public garden was established in the 1860s, and once offered views to Port Phillip Bay. These days, the former pioneer burial site is a lovely place to take time out and share sunset with one of the possums that call the gardens home.

Best for… a nature-loving sunset.