Timeline
19:23
Pick up a drink at Opera Bar. It is just three minutes from the Opera House and opens at 11:30, so it will be open and ready for you before the sun goes down. The outdoor seating offers some of the best harbour views around.
19:53
Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens to position yourself for the sunset. It is a 13-minute walk from the Opera House. The gardens stretch out toward Mrs Macquaries chair, giving you a clear, unobstructed view of the sun setting toward the WSW behind the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
20:08
Watch the sunset. At 20:08 on 15 January, the sun dips below the horizon. The golden light starts around 19:32, so you will have about 35 minutes of warm, glowing light to enjoy the harbour scenery before the final moment.
20:38
End the night at the Fortune of War. It is a 12-minute walk from the gardens. As Sydney's oldest continuously licensed pub, it offers a cozy atmosphere with a wide range of beers on tap. It is a popular spot for office workers and locals, making it a perfect place to unwind after the crowds have dispersed.
Local tip
The walk from the Opera House to the gardens is short and pleasant. If you want to avoid the main tourist crush at the Opera House forecourt, head straight for the gardens where the space opens up.
Check before you go
- Opera Bar is open from 11:30 to 22:00.
- The Fortune of War has no listed opening hours in the context, so check the route or local listings for late-night access.
Getting there
- Circular Quay, Eastern Pontoon (ferry) · 4 min walk
- Circular Quay 2A (ferry) · 5 min walk
- Circular Quay 2B (ferry) · 5 min walk
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Sydney (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).