The Gold Coast has 70km of coastline, and the sun sets over all of it. But 70km of sunset isn't one sunset — it's seven different lights, seven different waters, seven different reasons to be in the same place at 6pm. Here are seven spots that aren't the postcard. The rule for all of them: be there 30 minutes before the sun — the last 15 minutes of light are the best 15 minutes of the day, and the 30 minutes before are where you find the spot, lay the blanket down, and wait.
The Seven Spots
Where the Light Does Its Thing
The Headland at Tallebudgera
Be there 30 minutes before (5:45pm summer, 4:15pm winter). Bring a blanket and a thermos — the headland is a 10-minute climb up from the cove. What it looks like: the light hits the water, not the sand — a 3km stretch of reef that glows gold, a sky that goes orange to purple in ten minutes. The feel: a warm wind off the water, a dark canopy above, the sound of the break below. It's the one to do if you want the light on the water rather than the sky.
The Point at Coolangatta
Be there 30 minutes before. Bring a blanket and a camera — the point is a 15-minute walk along the beach. What it looks like: the sun goes into the ocean — 2km of sand, a flat horizon, a sun that goes down in the water rather than behind a building. The colours: orange and gold on the water, purple and pink on the sky; the feel: a cold wind off the water, a long shadow on the sand, the sound of the break 50 metres away. It's the one to do if you want the classic — the sun going into the sea.
The Burleigh Heads Foreshore
Be there 30 minutes before. Bring a blanket and a book — the foreshore is 200m of boardwalk. What it looks like: the lighthouse in the background — a 19m tower, 100 years old, a light that comes on at dusk. The colours: gold on the water, orange on the sky, a lighthouse that glows in the dark; the feel: a warm wind off the water, a long shadow on the boardwalk, the sound of the break 20 metres away. It's the one to do if you want the sunset with a landmark.
The Springbrook Rainforest
Be there 30 minutes before — the sun is earlier on the mountain, so leave the visitor centre by 3:30 in winter. Bring a head torch and a light jacket — the rainforest is an hour up the mountain, and the drive is the reason to go. What it looks like: the light comes through the canopy — columns of gold coming down through 100-metre trees, a sky that's green rather than blue. The colours: gold on the leaves, green on the canopy, a sky that's the colour of the forest floor; the feel: a cool air, a dark canopy above, the sound of the falls 200 metres away. It's the one to do if you want a sunset that isn't over the ocean.
The Cape Byron Lighthouse
Be there 30 minutes before. Bring a light jacket and a camera — the lighthouse is a 30-minute walk up from the carpark. What it looks like: the sun sets over the ocean — a 360° view of the whole point, a sky that goes orange to purple in ten minutes. The colours: gold on the water, orange on the sky, a lighthouse that glows in the dark; the feel: a warm wind off the water, a 360° view, the sound of the break below. It's the one to do if you're doing the Byron day trip — the sunset is the reason to stay.
The Quiet End at Tweed Heads
Be there 30 minutes before. Bring a blanket and a thermos — the quiet end is a 15-minute walk along the beach. What it looks like: the river meets the ocean — 5km of water where the river meets the sea, a flat horizon. The colours: gold on the river, orange on the sky, a line where the two waters meet; the feel: a calm wind, a long shadow on the sand, the sound of the river 100 metres away. It's the one to do if you want a quiet sunset — no crowds, no postcard, just water and light.
The Broadbeach Pier
Be there 30 minutes before. Bring a blanket and a book — the pier is 200m out to sea. What it looks like: the water is still — 500m of calm water, a flat horizon. The colours: gold on the water, orange on the sky, a sky that's the colour of the water; the feel: a calm wind, a long shadow on the pier, the sound of the water 50 metres away. It's the one to do if you want a still sunset — no break, no chop, just the water doing nothing, which is the best thing it can do at 6pm.
The Point
Match the Spot to the Day
The seven spots are seven different lights; the best one is the one that matches the day. A warm day: the point at Coolangatta — the cold wind and the flat horizon. A quiet day: the quiet end at Tweed — the river and the sea, and nothing else. A big day: the headland at Tallebudgera — the reef glowing gold below you, and the canopy above. Be there 30 minutes before, bring a blanket, and let the last 15 minutes of light do its thing. That's the point of the sunset: it's not the end of the day, it's the best 15 minutes of it.