Sun path · Sydney
Sunrise & sunset direction in Sydney
See which way the sun rises and sets in Sydney, 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 Sydney on Thu, Sep 24
The sun rises at 91°, E and sets at 269°, W in Sydney, reaching a peak elevation of 57° at solar noon. Day length is 12h 10m, 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 Sydney
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 | 62°, ENE | 298°, WNW |
| Equinox | 91°, E | 269°, W |
| December solstice | 119°, ESE | 241°, WSW |
Shooting the light in Sydney
Sydney has two natural stages for light: an open Pacific horizon to the east and a branching harbour that carries reflections deep into the city. Ocean beaches receive an unobstructed dawn, while viewpoints east of Circular Quay can put the evening sky behind the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Coastal cloud often decides the picture. Broken cloud offshore can catch color before the sun clears the horizon, while a clear western sky sends warm late light onto sandstone headlands, sails and the eastern faces of the harbour skyline.
Where photographers go
Mrs Macquarie’s Point
The Opera House and Harbour Bridge overlap to the west, a classic sunset-to-blue-hour composition.
Bondi Beach
The beach faces the Pacific for direct sunrise, with the headlands giving elevated angles at either end.
Kirribilli foreshore
Morning light crosses the harbour onto the Opera House; after sunset the quay and bridge lights take over.
Observatory Hill
A high western view over the bridge approaches and harbour, especially useful for late light and blue hour.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Sydney?
- On Thu, Sep 24, the sun rises in Sydney at 91°, E (east).
- Which direction does the sun set in Sydney in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Sydney at 241°, WSW (west-southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Sydney?
- On Thu, Sep 24, the sun reaches about 57° above the horizon at its highest point in Sydney.
