The Best Places To Watch The Sun Set In Melbourne

Whether you’re after a romantic backdrop, magnificent photo opportunity or a pensive perspective, a sunset can set the mood, and these five locations in Melbourne deliver a range of scenic views. End your day on a high note at dusk with waterfront and water level sunsets at The Boatbuilders Yard and Ponyfish Island, a rotating view at Melbourne Star, a mountaintop vista at SkyHigh or a 360-degree sunset at the Eureka SkyDeck.

1. The Boatbuilders Yard

The Boatbuilders Yard

Nestled in Melbourne’s historic maritime precinct behind Jeff’s Shed, The Boatbuilders Yard is a casual café and bar where you can catch the last rays of sunshine as they flicker across the Yarra River. This award-winning establishment is owned by Dave Sharry and Richie Ludbrook and incorporates a modern design by Six Degrees Architects within the original, historical shed’s structure. Open seven days a week, ‘Boaties’, as it’s known by locals, has room for 1,400 patrons and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, light snacks, beer, wine, and spirits.

The Boatbuilders Yard, 23 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC, Australia, +61 3 9686 5088

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Not a bad sunset to finish off the week.

A post shared by Levi Buzolic (@levibuzolic) on Sep 9, 2016 at 1:14am PDT

2. Melbourne Star

Architectural Landmark

Formerly known as the Southern Star, Melbourne Star is a giant Ferris wheel located in Melbourne’s Docklands. Towering over the shopping precinct at 120 metres, ‘the Southern Hemisphere’s only giant observation wheel’ features seven spokes and 21 air-conditioned cabins which offer 360-degree views of Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay, the Dandenong Ranges, Mount Macedon and Arthur’s Seat. Arrive before dusk to experience a panoramic sunset with unrestricted views. One rotation takes roughly 30 minutes and features audio commentary.

3. SkyHigh

Restaurant

SkyHigh

Only 45 minutes away from Melbourne is Mount Dandenong’s SkyHigh, which offers picturesque views of the eastern suburbs as well as Melbourne’s glistening city skyline, the Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs. No trip to SkyHigh is complete without dining at the restaurant or café, wandering through the hedge maze and English Garden, visiting the Wishing Tree and Percy Possum’s House. Open 365 days a year – SkyHigh provides spectacular views all year-round.

SkyHigh, 26 Observatory Rd, Mt Dandenong VIC, Australia, +61 3 9751 0443

Mount Dandenong at Sunset © Dara Meybodi / Flickr

5. Ponyfish Island

Bar, Snacks

For a water level sunset perspective in the heart of the city, nothing beats Ponyfish Island. Located under the Yarra Pedestrian Footbridge, the floating bar and restaurant is accessible by a single stairwell. On one side, you can gaze up at Flinders Street Station and Rialto Towers, while the opposite side provides views of Southbank and Crown. No matter which direction you face, though, the blushing pink and gold tones are breathtaking – particularly with a glass of bubbly in hand.

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