Photographers chase color; families chase a quiet moment. Both groups end up at many of the same overlooks. In Brisbane those overlooks include Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, Mount Coot-tha, and Shorncliffe Pier.

Use this page to choose a spot, then open the city sun page for exact clocks. Right now Brisbane sees sunrise at 06:22 AM and sunset at 05:24 PM. Civil dawn begins around 05:58 AM if you are timing a true early start at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Sunrise & sunset

Cliff-top park views capture Story Bridge and city sunrises and sunsets along the river.

What to expect

On clear days the horizon contrast is sharp; on broken-cloud days, the drama often peaks 10 minutes after the official solar time.

When to go

Today in Brisbane: sunrise 06:22 AM, sunset 05:24 PM. Kangaroo Point Cliffs works for either end of the day — pick based on sky clarity and which horizon is open.

Need the exact clock for your date? Open sunrise & sunset times in Brisbane and set the calendar before you leave.

Story Bridge

Sunrise & sunset

Bridge climbs and Kangaroo Point views deliver Brisbane River golden-hour panoramas.

What to expect

Treat it as a short outing: 45–75 minutes on site is enough if you already know Brisbane's sunrise and sunset for the day.

When to go

Story Bridge is flexible. Match morning visits to 06:22 AM and evening visits to 05:24 PM, and keep an eye on the golden-hour band (04:52 PM – 05:39 PM).

Need the exact clock for your date? Open sunrise & sunset times in Brisbane and set the calendar before you leave.

Mount Coot-tha

Sunrise & sunset

Lookout sunrises and sunsets span the city, Moreton Bay, and distant ranges.

What to expect

On clear days the horizon contrast is sharp; on broken-cloud days, the drama often peaks 10 minutes after the official solar time.

When to go

Today in Brisbane: sunrise 06:22 AM, sunset 05:24 PM. Mount Coot-tha works for either end of the day — pick based on sky clarity and which horizon is open.

Need the exact clock for your date? Open sunrise & sunset times in Brisbane and set the calendar before you leave.

Shorncliffe Pier

Best for sunrise

Moreton Bay sunrises from this historic pier attract photographers north of the CBD.

What to expect

Bring a light layer; pre-dawn air at public lookouts is often cooler than the afternoon forecast suggests.

When to go

For sunrise here, aim to be in place by about 05:58 AM — that is when Brisbane's civil dawn begins and the east starts to color up.

Need the exact clock for your date? Open sunrise & sunset times in Brisbane and set the calendar before you leave.

How to time sunrise and sunset in Brisbane

Color does not switch on at the exact minute of sunrise or sunset. Plan for the shoulder: blue hour into sunrise, and golden hour through afterglow at dusk.

  • Sunrise window: be on site by civil dawn (05:58 AM), then watch through 06:22 AM.
  • Sunset window: arrive for evening golden hour (04:52 PM – 05:39 PM) and stay past 05:24 PM for afterglow.
  • Source of truth: always re-check the Brisbane sunrise & sunset page for your date — especially around equinoxes and time-change weekends.
  • Related tools: golden hour and blue hour explain the light quality these viewpoints are known for.

Why these Brisbane spots make the list

Every place here is a known public viewpoint with a workable horizon — waterfronts, parks, bridges, hills, or open plazas. The notes stay specific to what you see from each overlook. Use them as a shortlist, then confirm access hours and weather on the day.

Check sunrise and sunset times in Brisbane, Australia today — plus day length, solar noon, golden hour, blue hour, and twilight at -27.4698°, 153.0251° (Australia/Brisbane). Popular places to watch the sun include Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, Mount Coot-tha. Browse the full-month sun calendar for day-by-day planning.

Sunrise & Sunset Places in Brisbane — FAQ

Standout public viewpoints in Brisbane include Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, Mount Coot-tha, and Shorncliffe Pier. Each spot on this guide pairs with today's solar times so you can plan golden hour and blue hour accurately.
Shorncliffe Pier is a strong sunrise pick: Moreton Bay sunrises from this historic pier attract photographers north of the CBD. Aim to arrive by civil dawn (05:58 AM); sunrise itself is 06:22 AM today.
Kangaroo Point Cliffs is a reliable sunset viewpoint: Cliff-top park views capture Story Bridge and city sunrises and sunsets along the river. Sunset is 05:24 PM today — arrive earlier for the evening golden hour (04:52 PM – 05:39 PM).
Solar times for Brisbane are calculated from coordinates -27.4698°, 153.0251° in the Australia/Brisbane timezone. Open the Brisbane sunrise & sunset page for live cards, a 7-day forecast, and a full-month calendar.
The places listed here are well-known public viewpoints — parks, waterfronts, bridges, hills, and similar open-access locations. Always follow local hours, closures, and safety rules on the day you visit.

Plan the light in Brisbane

When you have picked a viewpoint, open the city page for sunrise, sunset, day length, twilight, and a month-long sun calendar.

Sunrise & sunset times in Brisbane

More sunrise & sunset place guides nearby