There aren't too many places in the world where you can watch the sun drop over the Indian Ocean as the sky explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour.
One thing Western Australia is renowned for is its sunsets.
You’ll often find some of the most spectacular displays of colour in autumn, when increased particles in the atmosphere reflect bruised purples, vivid reds, and glowing oranges.
Here are some of the best vantage points to catch a classic South West sunset. Best served with loved ones.
Hero image: Tom de Souza
One of the best and most comfortable places in the Margaret River Region to get views with a brew. Shelter Brewing Co. faces north over the calm waters of Geographe Bay right on the beach and has plenty of seating and a full food and drink menu, and The Goose Beach Bar + Kitchen is probably as close to the ocean as you can get without actually stepping into the water.
A spectacular lookout over one of the region’s most stunning rock formations offering panoramic vistas up and down the coast. Enjoy from the comfort of the wooden lookout or go left or right along the Cape to Cape Track and find more spectacular vantage points, just pack a torch for when the sun’s afterglow has disappeared. Nearby, Eagle Bay Brewing Co. offers a beautiful place for pre-sunset drinks.
Here you’ll find a grassy foreshore and two wooden lookouts. One looks directly out over the Yallingup lagoon and surf break; the other faces north, where you can see Sugarloaf Rock and the stunning, craggy limestone cliffs. Grab a picnic rug and sit on the grass, or head down to the beach for a close-up view. The foreshore is dog-friendly, and there are also barbecues to cook on. Nearby Caves House Hotel and Bailey Brewing Co. are both great for a post-sunset feed.
Up at the top of the hill at Canal Rocks is a wooden lookout that offers views over the beach and the stunning granite formations of Canal Rocks. Everything looks better from up high, and this lookout offers an epic panorama over the coast. In the distance, you can see Torpedo Rocks and all the way up to Sugarloaf Rock.
Wyadup Rocks looks over one of the most stunning beaches in the South West. Gaze south toward the towering sand dunes on Injidup Point and across the secluded white sandy beaches of Injidup and Wyadup. There are a couple of car parks both offering great vantage points – a more easily accessible one with a great observation deck, and a dirt car park that is a little more secluded but offers a higher vantage point.
Gracetown Beach is a popular spot for sunsets in the warmer months, with an easy-access car park, toilets, a couple of wooden shelters, and a calm beach with protection from the afternoon winds. It’s a great place to bring kids and family.
A beautiful grassy foreshore, which is popular among locals for watching the sunset. Check out the windsurfers and kitesurfers riding the swells at Main Break. There are also usually food vans around and plenty of picnic facilities, which makes for a great family occasion or a perfect couples’ date. Nearby Sea Garden Cafe and The Common are perfect for parking up with a pint in hand.
Close to Karridale, in the southern reaches of the Margaret River region, Hamelin Bay has numerous lookouts. They all offer a view over the old timber jetty, which was once the centre of industry in the region. Just offshore is Hamelin Island, home to an old lighthouse, which is rumoured to be haunted. Just beyond are the remains of numerous shipwrecks. Looking north, you’ll see the stunning white sands of Boranup Beach and the endless coastline.
Drive ten minutes up Hillview Road from Augusta town centre to find one of the most stunning vistas in the region. The brick vantage point offers 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean, river, and forest. Watch the sun dip below the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse over the rugged intersection of the Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean.
