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Locrawl
Sunrise

Sunrise at Mrs Macquaries Chair

Beat the morning rush by catching the first golden light over the harbour. This plan starts early to secure the best view before the crowds arrive, then moves to a nearby spot for a proper breakfast once the city wakes up.

Best time: sunriseAbout 50 min

Timeline

  1. 05:19

    Royal Botanic Gardens

    Walk to Mrs Macquaries Chair in the Royal Botanic Gardens. This is the prime viewing spot for the sunrise over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Arrive early to find a good angle facing WSW, where the sun will rise on January 15th.

  2. 05:59

    Royal Botanic Gardens

    Watch the sunrise. The sun rises at 05:59, with golden light starting around 19:33. Enjoy the quiet moment before the city fully wakes up.

  3. 06:44

    Ash St Cellar

    Head to Ash St Cellar for breakfast. This laneway bar serves Melbourne-style tapas and is open from noon on weekdays. Since it is currently before opening hours, use this time to wander back towards the city or wait nearby until they open for lunch service.

Local tip

The Royal Botanic Gardens are large. Use the paths near the State Art Gallery to access Mrs Macquaries Chair directly. Ash St Cellar has no bookings and can get busy, so arrive right when they open at noon.

Check before you go

  • Ash St Cellar is open Mon-Fri from noon. If you are visiting on a weekend, check if they are open as hours may vary or they may be closed.
  • Sunrise times change throughout the year. On 15 January, sunrise is 05:59. On 15 April, it is 06:17. Adjust your arrival time accordingly.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Sydney (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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