5 Ways to Experience Australia’s Best Sunsets

WORDS | Diane Bortoletto

There’s something simply magical about closing the day watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Looking west over the water, sand between the toes, taking in the pink and orange skyline. It’s a breathtaking experience. You can appreciate a sunset in the Margaret River Region while sailing on an old pearl lugger, sharing a bottle of wine in a cabin, or on a budget – enjoying a couple of cold tinnies at a lookout point. Here’s a top five for visitors.

1Sugarloaf Rock The changing colours, the crashing sea, and abundant seabird life make Sugarloaf Rock, a gigantic granite rock that emerges from the

Indian Ocean, a sunset hotspot. As the day turns to night, the rock changes colour every minute with the sky’s gradient that moves from yellow to orange to red and onto a purply-mauve. If you stay long enough, you’ll see the beam from the Cape Naturaliste

Lighthouse. Situated within a designated nature reserve in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste

National Park just off Cape Naturaliste near

Dunsborough (so leave the dog at home),

Sugarloaf Rock is one of the region’s most spectacular coastal landforms. The ocean side is often battered by treacherous seas, separated from the coast by a narrow channel of wide waves. The best viewing point is from the elevated lookout.

Redgate Beach Escape Watch the sunset every night from your 2 3Prevelly Without a doubt, one of the best vantage very own digs at Redgate Beach Escape points for a south west sunset is at Surfer’s where each of the four villas enjoy Point in Prevelly. The ocean here is vast uninterrupted panoramic views of the and wild and the mesmerising waves of Indian Ocean and Leeuwin-Naturaliste Main Break and South Side just add to the National Park. Nestled amongst 80 acres spectacle. The view of sandy beaches and of coastal bush atop of the Cape Leeuwin green coastal scrub curves all the way down Ridge, each two-bedroom villa carries the to Gnarabup. There’s tiered grassy areas vibe of a secluded beach shack but comes where you can stretch out, the famous with all the mod cons for a luxurious stay steps down to the beach, each step adorned thanks to its simple but functional design, with the name of the winning surfer of the relaxed Balinese-inspired furnishings and Margaret River Pro over the past 20-odd cosy surrounds. Sit on your front veranda, years, or you can just park up, stay in the fire up your own exclusive barbeque and car and take it in all in. Go further along feel like a millionaire who is hundreds of to the River Mouth and watch the sunset miles from anywhere as the sun lowers from the sand, barefoot with the ocean to the horizon. You’d never guess that at your feet. The incredible view with the Margaret River town is just a 10-minute headland in the distance makes for excellent drive, and several of the region’s great photography opportunities. Grab your drink wineries even closer. of choice and sit back and watch the show,

ALBANY AUGUSTA BUNKERBAY BUSSELTON DENMARK DUNSBOROUGH EAGLEBAY MANDURAH MARGARETRIVER PEPPERMINTGROVEBEACH SWANVALLEY WALPOLE YALLINGUP

and best of all it doesn’t cost a thing.

Local Tip: During the summer months, there’s often food trucks stationed at Surfers Point.

4Willie Cruises Departing from Dunsborough, Willie Cruises, takes passengers on an afternoon cruise that finishes as the sun begins to set. Operating in the summer months, ‘Willie’, a 67-foot gaff-rigged schooner modelled on the designs of early 1900s Broome pearl luggers is indeed one of the last operating pearl luggers in Australia. It’s like stepping onto a piece of history, cruising underneath her heavy sails after they are manually hoisted up. There’s no roughing it like the original seafarers, ‘Willie’ is comfortably fitted with seating – our pick is the boom net in the water - and includes complimentary canapes and drinks plus there’s a bar on board. Sailing the azure waters between Quindalup and Eagle Bay, there’s nothing to do but take in the beauty of the coast. You can charter the vessel yourself and invite 29 friends to join you on your own private cruise. We can’t think of any better way to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean than gently sailing the calm waters of Geographe Bay.

5Hamelin Bay Famous for its resident sting rays that swish along the shoreline, the white sandy beach of Hamelin Bay is a serene sunset spot. Snorkel in the bay or watch from a distance the sting rays that measure up to two metres in diameter. There are 11 shipwrecks at Hamelin Bay in the Ngari Capes Marine Park, and four in the WA Maritime Museum’s Hamelin Bay Wreck Trail; the Agincourt (1882), Chaudiere (1883), Katinka (1900) and Toba (1930s/1940s). The four wrecks are visible by snorkelling and also visible from the coast at certain times. Deemed too dangerous to be a port to service the nearby timber mill, the original jetty that was built in 1882 was decommissioned in the early 1900s. Just a few pylons of the original jetty remain, jutting into the sky, they create visual interest and look great in photos any time of day, but particularly during sunset.