Now is the best time to catch a sunrise

Australia is currently in a prime sunrise-watching position – here’s why (and where to catch it before it’s too late).

Everyone loves a good sunrise – especially us Aussies. We’d be foolish not to, considering our island home is one of the best places in the world to witness a swirling, pastel-painted sky.

While some of us are practically pros at getting up before dawn, others can find it difficult to leave the comforts of home to see the sun come up. But if there is one time of year worthy of dragging yourself out of bed, it’s the next two weeks.

Why are the next two weeks the best time to see a sunrise?

Autumn ushers in a time for simple pleasures – big fluffy blankets, mugs of hot chocolate and cosy autumnal festivals. But it also signals the end of daylight savings, meaning the days get shorter and darkness falls earlier. As sun-obsessed Australians, we’re practically preconditioned to let out a heaving sigh. But what if I told you it’s actually one of the most beautiful times of the year for our golden giant?

Sunrise on the Gold Coast, Qld — Cold fronts mean cloud cover reflects the sun’s light. (Image: Mister Delirious/Getty Images)

Introducing the March Equinox: when the Earth tilts on its axis and crosses the celestial equator. The solar event occurred on 20 March this year, causing a northward shift of the sun’s path across the sky. As a result, cold fronts are sweeping across our continent and bringing mid to high cloud cover that reflects light in all directions.

“Due to the tilt of the Earth, the sun comes up at a greater angle in autumn compared to summer," says Jonathan How, senior meteorologist at Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. “This means longer duration sunrises and more opportunity for light to scatter in the atmosphere."

“The air is drier, which means good visibility, and there’s less chance of low cloud and fog, which can prevent a good sunrise. States with daylight savings also allow a later sunrise, so more people are up and able to observe the sunrise when conditions are most ideal," How adds.

People watching the sun come up from a lookout — Waking up early has never looked so good. (Image: Josh Calabrese/Unsplash)

At the start of autumn, when these cold fronts arrive, the sun is still rising around 7am, a small but auspicious window is opened in which everything perfectly aligns. While this window only lasts for around two weeks between March and April, it creates an unforgettable sunrise, incomparable to any other time of year.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Where should I head to catch a spectacular sunrise?

Luckily for you, Australia is blessed with plenty of places to catch this natural phenomenon. In fact, we’ve got a whole roster of experiences dedicated to seeing the sun come up, from yoga on the beach in SA to Tassie’s iconic nude solstice swim during Dark Mofo. But if you’d rather just soak in the beauty of a magical morning, here’s where you should head.

1. Uluru, NT

Sunrise at Uluru, NT — Witness Uluru change colour during sunrise. (Image: Simon Bradfield/Getty Images)

Timelessly beautiful, this 550-million-year-old monolith in Australia’s beating heart is, hands down, one of the best places to witness a sunrise. Uluru’s unique mineral composition, particularly its high levels of iron oxide, refracts the sun’s light as it moves across the sky, changing the colours of the rockface as it goes. Voted as the best place in the world for a sunset last year, Uluru would be just as magnificent come morning.

2. Byron Bay, NSW

Sunrise in Byron Bay, NSW — Byron Bay is Australia’s most easterly point. (Image: Ampuero Leonardo/Getty Images)

Yes – Byron’s beautiful beaches, slow lifestyle and plethora of coastal lookouts make it perfect for catching a sunrise. But that’s not the (only) reason you should head here for an unforgettable sunrise. Byron Bay marks the most easterly point of Australia, meaning the sun technically rises here before anywhere else. Take the Walgun Cape Byron walking track and be among the first few to see the sun come up.

3. Cape Hillsborough National Park, Qld

A kangaroo in Cape Hillsborough National Park, Qld — Kangaroos and wallabies gather on the beach as the sun comes up. (Image: Toni Aules/Getty Images)

Head to Queensland’s Cape Hillsborough National Park, and you won’t be the only one up early. This rugged natural landscape is home to large groups of kangaroos and wallabies that head down to the beach each morning. Gathering on the sand to feed and mingle, it’s the perfect opportunity to meet these iconic Aussie animals, all backdropped by a magnificent sunrise.

Other amazing sunrise spots around Australia include Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, Kunanyi/Mt. Wellington in Tasmania, the Remarkable Rocks on SA’s Kangaroo Island, Roebuck Bay in WA and The Grampians of Victoria.

Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

“The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

“It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

Getting there

Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore. — Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

At one with nature

East Arnhem’s landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

“I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

“I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

Immersing in local culture

A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land. — Experience authentic moments with the locals.

Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

“I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

“A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me… and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

Spotting local wildlife

An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance. — Step into a world where nature reigns.

The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

“Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

“As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

“Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

“The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.

Now is the best time to catch a sunrise – but only for 2 weeks

Australia is currently in a prime sunrise-watching position – here’s why (and where to catch it before it’s too late).

Why are the next two weeks the best time to see a sunrise?