Sun path · Queenstown
Sunrise & sunset direction in Queenstown
See which way the sun rises and sets in Queenstown, with the full arc showing elevation against compass direction. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Queenstown on Fri, Sep 25
The sun rises at 91°, E and sets at 269°, W in Queenstown, reaching a peak elevation of 45° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 12m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Sunrise and sunset direction in Queenstown
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 91°, E | 269°, W |
| June solstice | 57°, ENE | 303°, WNW |
| Equinox | 91°, E | 269°, W |
| December solstice | 125°, SE | 235°, SW |
Shooting the light in Queenstown
Queenstown’s sun path is reshaped by steep terrain. The Remarkables rise to the east and the mountains around Lake Wakatipu lift the working horizon, so direct light arrives and disappears differently from the geometric times shown for a flat horizon.
The mountain faces become the clock: dawn color can reach high western slopes before the town, and the last evening light often remains on distant ridges after the lakefront has entered shade. Clear, still mornings add the strongest chance of reflections.
Where photographers go
Queenstown waterfront
Lake Wakatipu opens the foreground toward Cecil and Walter Peaks, with changing bands of light across the water.
Bob’s Peak
The elevated view looks over the town, lake and surrounding ranges and remains useful through blue hour.
Frankton Arm
Quieter shoreline angles place the Remarkables across the water for dawn light and reflections.
Moke Lake
A mountain basin outside town where still mornings can mirror the enclosing ridges.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Queenstown?
- On Fri, Sep 25, the sun rises in Queenstown at 91°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Queenstown in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Queenstown at 235°, SW (southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Queenstown?
- On Fri, Sep 25, the sun reaches about 45° above the horizon at its highest point in Queenstown.
