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Chasing First Light: The Most Breathtaking Spots to See the Sunrise in Melbourne
Golden skies, quiet mornings, and the city waking up around you—these are the best spots to catch a Melbourne sunrise and start your day right.
Much like a sunset, there’s something cinematic about a Melbourne sunrise—golden light spilling over the skyline, the hush of a waking city, and the scent of salt or eucalyptus in the air. Right now, the autumn equinox (late March to early April) marks the perfect time to catch nature’s show, when day and night find balance and the skies burn their brightest. Crisp air, fiery hues, and a soft morning glow make it well worth the early alarm. Whether by the water, in the hills, or above the city, these moments are made for slowing down and soaking in the magic.
Here are eight of the most stunning spots to see the sunrise in Melbourne—places where the light is soft, the air is crisp, and the world feels beautifully untouched, even if just for a little while.
St Kilda Pier
At dawn, St Kilda Pier is a quiet dreamscape. The sky melts from indigo to fiery peach, reflecting in the gentle ripples of Port Phillip Bay. The city skyline glows in the distance, framed by the pier’s century-old wooden posts. Fishermen cast lines into the water, and if you’re lucky, a little penguin might peek out from the rocks. The scent of salt lingers in the air, and the first light of morning feels like a secret only a few get to witness. Grab a coffee from a nearby kiosk and watch the world wake up.
St Kilda, Melbourne
Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes
As the sun rises, Brighton Beach glows in soft, golden light, washing over the colourful bathing boxes. The sand is cool, the waves murmur at the shore, and for a moment, everything feels still. Early risers stroll with their dogs, leaving quiet footprints in the morning light. It’s one of Melbourne’s most peaceful scenes—calm, effortless, and beautiful. Stay a little longer, and you’ll see the city start to wake, but for now, it’s just you, the sea, and the rising sun.
Brighton, Melbourne
Shrine of Remembrance
Perched high above the city, the Shrine of Remembrance is a quiet and powerful spot to catch the sunrise over Melbourne’s skyline. As the first light spreads, the glass towers glow soft gold, a hazy warmth settling over the Yarra. It’s peaceful up here—just birds, a few early risers, and the slow rhythm of a city waking up. Stand at the top of the steps, take in the crisp morning air, and watch the day begin, one glowing window at a time.
Kings Domain, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
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Southbank
Southbank is a different kind of sunrise—one where the city’s heartbeat is just beginning to stir. The Yarra reflects the first light like liquid gold, while the skyline stands tall, its glass towers catching soft hues of pink and amber. Rowers glide through the water, early risers sip coffee along the promenade, and a quiet hush lingers before the day kicks into gear. It’s a sunrise for those who love the city—calm yet full of promise, a slow awakening before Melbourne finds its usual rhythm.
Southbank, Melbourne
Yarra Bend Park
In the heart of the city’s wildest green space, Yarra Bend Park feels like an escape into another world at sunrise. The river, still and silver, mirrors the shifting pastels of the morning sky. Mist clings to the gum trees, and the air carries the scent of eucalyptus and damp earth. The park stirs with quiet life—rowers skimming across the water, the flutter of birds in the branches, and the occasional jogger passing by. There’s no better place to feel the rhythm of nature against the pulse of the city.
Fairfield, Melbourne
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the City or Yarra Valley
A sunrise hot air balloon ride over Melbourne or the Yarra Valley is pure magic—an experience that makes the early wake-up call feel like a small price to pay. Drifting high above the city, the skyline glows in soft pinks and golds, the streets below still quiet in the morning hush. Over the Yarra Valley, rolling vineyards stretch endlessly, shrouded in mist as the first light spills over the hills. It’s peaceful, breathtaking, and completely unforgettable—a moment suspended in time as the world wakes beneath you.
Mordialloc Beach Pier
Down by Mordialloc, the pier stretches long and lonely into the bay, a front-row seat to the slow magic of sunrise. The tide hums beneath the timber planks, the salty air has a bit of a bite, and the sky melts into soft pinks and golds. Fishermen cast their lines, joggers pass by with a nod, and for a little while, it feels like the whole world is still waking up. It’s quiet, easy, and always worth the early start.
Mordialloc, Melbourne
Kalorama Lookout, Dandenongs
Kalorama Lookout in the Dandenong Ranges is a dreamlike spot where sunrise feels like a secret between you and the sky. As dawn breaks, soft mist curls through the valleys below, shifting like silk over the treetops. The vast panorama stretches out endlessly, from the rolling hills to the distant city skyline, bathed in warm, golden light. It’s quiet, almost otherworldly, with only the occasional chirp of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Bring a thermos of coffee, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and soak in the beauty of a new day unfolding.
Kalorama, Dandenong Ranges National Park
There’s something about sunrise that makes the world feel fresh again. Maybe it’s the quiet, the colours, or just the promise of a new day. By the water, in the hills, or above the skyline—Melbourne’s first light is always worth it. For more reasons to rise early and start fresh, explore these beautiful walks around the city or chase these dreamy waterfalls this winter.
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