Spectacular Sunsets
Thanks to our generally clear skies, one can experience some wonderful sunsets in Australia. The best are considered to be those over the ocean, and it is on the north and west coasts where the most spectacular sunsets can be experienced.
Darwin Sunsets
Tropical sunsets conjure up images of swaying palm trees and gently lapping water on ribbons of sandy beaches. Such images are a reality in Darwin, the Northern Territory's capital, which is perfectly situated for observing some of the best tropical sunsets in Australia. Cullen Bay and Mindil Beach are favourite viewing spots there, mainly due to the fact that the sun generally sets around dinner time and both localities have great places to dine at sunset time (Mindil's of course is the beach markets).
The great thing about tropical sunsets is that the view every night is different, so a sunset one night can be quite different in terms of colour and colour intensity, than the one before or after it.
The Sunset Coast
At just about any point along the west coast of WA you can catch a magical sunset, and they are so good, the locals have even named a stretch of the coast in honour of these spectacular sights. Most visitors from the east have never seen a sunset of the ocean, so gazing out across the Indian Ocean from one of Perth's metropolitan beach is often one of the highlights of a trip to Perth for eastern staters. Scarborough beach is the most popular viewing spot, not because the view is better, but because there is plenty of tourist accommodation, cafes, restaurants and nightlife nearby.
Sunrise and Sunset at 1770
The headland at the Queensland town of 1770 has the distinction of being one of the few places on the East Coast of Australia, or indeed, in the World, where you can see the sun rise and set over water in the same location. These sunsets are a wondrous sight and it has become a ritual among visitors to sit on the beach with a drink and spend a quiet hour watching the sun disappear over the hills.
Sunset camel rides
Very few people visit Broome in WA without experiencing camel riding on Cable Beach, either as a participant or the photograph this iconic activity. Broome Camel Safaris offer the choice of a afternoon ride looking out over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean or a sunset ride with a spectacular Kimberley sunset as the backdrop for the experience.
Mt. Warning sunrise
Sunrise on Mt. Warning ... the first place in Australia to feel the warmth of the rising sun
Towering over the town of Murwillumbah and the Tweed Valley in far north-eastern New South Wales, is Mount Warning, the central core of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest extinct shield volcano. Named "Wollumbin", meaning "cloud catcher", by the Bundjalung people who inhabited the region before European settlement, it is the first place on Australia’s mainland to be touched by the morning sun. A climb to the summit to watch the dawn of a new day is a must for the adventurous.
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Feature:
Coonabarabran,
The Astronomy Capital of Australia |
Coonabarabran a small town of about 3000 people, is the self-proclaimed "Astronomy Capital of Australia". It is located about 490 km north west of Sydney, NSW and is about 22 km from the observatories of the renowned astronomy research facility of Siding Spring. It is Australia’s largest optical astronomy research facility. The town is also the gateway to the stunning Warrumbungle National Park
The area around Coonabarabran is ideal for stargazing with its high altitude, low humidity, a non-turbulent atmosphere for viewing clarity, clean air and an average of 70 percent clear night skies.
Festival of the Stars, held every November, is a month-long event celebrating arts and astronomy in Coonabarabran. Highlights include concerts, exhibitions and "Science in the Pub", where scientists debate hot topics in astronomy over a cooling ale.
Siding Spring Exploratory
Twelve white observatories dot the mountain top overlooking the Warrumbungle Ranges. This is Siding Spring Observatory, Australia’s largest centre for optical astronomy research. Renowned amongst astronomers world wide, Siding Spring has made several important discoveries relating to our vast solar system and beyond. Although closed to the public after dark, during the day visitors can enter the Anglo-Australian Telescope, an 8 storey observatory housing the giant 3.9 meter (mirror) telescope which can be seen from a special viewing gallery. There is also a great hands on ‘Exploratory Centre’ where visitors can learn fascinating facts about our amazing universe. There is also a cafe on site and budding astronomers will love browsing the space age gadgets and souvenirs.
Open 7 days, Mon. – Fri 9:30am – 4pm, Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 10am – 2pm.
Location: Timor Road, 27km west of Coonabarabran. Ph.: 02 6842 6211
Tenby Observatory
Tenby Observatory is owned and operated by Peter Starr, a former manager and observer at Siding Spring Observatory. Gaze at the starry night sky through three computerised telescopes, including a 14 inch telescope which is the largest tourist viewing telescope in Coonabarabran. There are live videos of the moon and the planets and you can even bring your SLR camera to take photos through the telescope. Daytime viewing of the sunspots and prominences of the Sun, and the planets Venus and Jupiter is also available. Open 7 days.
Location: Timor Road, Coonabarabran. Ph.: 0488 425 112
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Morning Glory Cloud Formations
The Morning Glory, a spectacular propagating roll cloud which frequents the sparsely populated southern margin of the Gulf of Carpentaria, is one of the world's most exotic and interesting meteorological phenomena. Morning Glories are frequently observed during the spring months near dawn over the southern Gulf area between Sweers Island and the remote community of Burketown in northern Queensland. They often appear in the form of one or more, rapidly advancing, rather formidable roll cloud formations which extend from horizon to horizon in a long arc as far as the eye can see each year from August to November.
The art of soaring on the Morning Glory was pioneered in an historic flight by Robert Thompson and Russell White on 13th October, 1989 in a motorised Grob-109 glider. Successive flights on Morning Glory waves have lasted for more than three hours and have covered distances of over 300km. These flights have generated considerable interest in the gliding community around the world.
Staircase to the Moon
Between March and October each year, when conditions are just right, visitors to the North West region of WA are treated to a natural spectacle - the Staircase to the Moon.
This natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon occurs only when the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats at times of extremely low tides, creating the optical illusion of a staircase reaching for the moon.
The staircase occurs three nights each month from March to October. The best viewing spots are at Roebuck Bay in Broome; Cooke Point in Port Hedland; the Lookout at Cossack; Hearson's Cove, located on the Burrup Peninsula between Karratha and Dampier; and Sunrise Beach in Onslow.
Local night markets are often held at Town Beach in Broome on Staircase to the Moon dates, where you can sample local fare, purchase crafts and see talented local entertainers perform.
Note: being a natural phenomenon, the “Staircase to the Moon” cannot be guaranteed to be seen due to prevailing weather conditions on the day.
View staircase dates
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