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Best place to watch the sunrise – Insta-worthy sunrises you don’t want to miss

  • kunanyi/Mt Wellington ©@jeon_landscapes

There are plenty of things Tassie does well and epic sunrises (and sunsets) are certainly one of them. While red sky in the morning is said to be a sailors warning (or is it shepherds?), there’s nothing quite like watching the sky burst into a myriad of colours to put a smile on your dial (impending weather or not).

If you are a big fan of saying hello to the sun, then you’re probably keen to find new locations to see this beauty. We’ve put together a list of a few special places to watch the sunrise in Southern Tasmania, that might tickle your fancy.

1. kunanyi/Mount Wellington

Of course, it isn’t a trip to Hobart unless you have watched the sunrise from the pinnacle of kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Facing east at an altitude of 1,271 metres, the mountain offers amazing scenery overlooking Southern Tasmania and out towards the east coast. Arrive at first light to watch the city lights slowing dim as the sun begins to rise and take time to appreciate a beautiful moment in nature.

Mt Wellington is just a 20-minute drive from the Hobart CBD. During the winter season, the road can often be closed due to frost and snow so be sure to check the road status before you head off for your morning adventure.

Guide to kunanyi
Summit of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. Image Credit: Paul Fleming

2. Tessellated Pavement

A geological phenomenon created by rock becoming fractured through Earth movements, the Tessellated Pavement is a truly unique site. The consistent erosion of the pavement has created “tiles” that almost resemble something man-made. Facing east the sunrises here are always stunning and when combined with the reflections off the water, are a photographers delight.

Discover the Tasman Peninsula
Tessellated-Pavement. Image Credit: Deni Cupit
Tessellated-Pavement. Image Credit: Deni Cupit
Tessellated Pavement. 📷 Hyun Jeon
Tessellated Pavement. 📷 Hyun Jeon

3. Bruny Island Lookout

There are plenty of beautiful beaches to take a sunrise stroll along Bruny Island but watching the sky light up from the Truganini Lookout at the Bruny Island Neck is a bit of a favourite.

Make a weekend of it and stay on Bruny for a night or two.  You can even camp at The Neck Reserve so you can get that extra little bit of sleep before sunrise.

Bruny Island Neck
Bruny Island Top 10
Sunset at The Neck, Bruny Island. Image Credit: @whoishollyjean
Sunset at The Neck, Bruny Island. Image Credit: @whoishollyjean

 4. Cape Hauy, Cape Raoul & Cape Pillar

The sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula are spectacular at any time of day but set against a colourful sky, the scenery goes to another level. Cape Hauy, Cape Raoul and Cape Pillar offer some of the best vantage points for capturing the colourful sky but you’ll have to work for it. For a sunrise at Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul, expect to walk in the dark for few hours to reach the lookout and for those wanting to catch a Cape Pillar morning, you will be required to camp the previous night at the camping site near the cape and walk to the cape that morning. If you would prefer a more relaxed viewing, visit the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen for another spectacular sunrise scene.

Tasman Peninsula Walks
Tasman Island. Image Credit @oliver.whone
Tasman Island. Image Credit: @jeon_landscapes
Tasman Island. Image Credit: @jeon_landscapes
Hobart Waterfront. Image Credit: @darrenwrightphotos
Hobart Waterfront. Image Credit: @darrenwrightphotos

5. Hobart Waterfront

The Hobart waterfront is beautiful rain, hail or shine but there is something special about it being dressed up in gold. The soft hues light up the heritage buildings and the reflections on a calm morning are breathtaking. Visit Constitution Dock at sunrise to see the mountain light up, the fishing boats bob around and enjoy a quiet moment while the rest of the city sleeps.

Best of Hobart

6. Blackmans Bay & Kingston Beach

The perfect location for a sunrise mission, Blackmans Bay and neighbour Kingston Beach are always a hit. Fossil Cove at Blackmans Bay is especially beautiful against the golden morning light.

With Kingston Beach and Blackmans Bay located just 15-20 minutes from Hobart’s CBD, you won’t have to worry about getting up too early to see the rising sun (especially in winter).

D’Entrecasteaux Channel
Kingston Beach. Image Credit: @kbone68
Kingston Beach. Image Credit: @kbone68

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We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement.

As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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