Sunsets in Western Australia

Perth, a coastal city in Western Australia, reminds me in many ways of Kota Kinabalu, where I reside. While Perth faces the vast Indian Ocean, KK gazes out across the South China Sea - an increasingly contested body of water, large portions of which are claimed by China but were recently ruled otherwise by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

During our recent trip to Perth, we decided to explore several western coastal towns in Western Australia, hoping to catch some of its famed sunset views. We were certainly not disappointed - WA offers some of the most breathtaking sunsets we’ve ever witnessed. Despite the unusually cold winter Perth was experiencing at the time, we bundled up and braved the chill just to enjoy the golden moments as the sun slowly slipped beyond the horizon.

Our first stop was Rockingham, a coastal town located about 46 km south of Perth. We took the train and then connected by bus to the seaside. By the time we arrived, we had barely 15 minutes left to soak in the twilight and witness the sun’s final descent. But even in those fleeting minutes, the scene was unforgettable. The beauty of the Rockingham coastline at sunset was magnified by the soft silhouettes of people strolling along the shore, trees gently swaying in the wind, and the outline of structures fading into dusk - all bathed in hues of gold, orange, and deepening blue.

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We rented a car and drove northward from Perth, spending three days exploring places we had yet to visit. One of our stops was Jurien Bay, a charming coastal town located about 225 km north of Perth.

Armed with the knowledge we had gained in Rockingham about the precise timing of the sunset, we made sure to arrive at the Jurien Bay seafront just before 5:00pm. For the next 30 minutes, we stood in quiet admiration as the sun inched its way toward the horizon and eventually slipped below it - yet another breathtaking sunset on the Western Australian coast.

We spent time at the jetty, soaking in the moment, watching people cast their lines into the sea, and feeling the cool ocean breeze against our faces. As the sky deepened into shades of amber and purple, we were lucky enough to witness - and capture - a split-second silhouette of a man casting his fishing line, perfectly framed against the setting sun. It was one of those rare, serendipitous moments that make travel so rewarding.

Silhouette of a man casting his fishing line was captured!

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After leaving Jurien Bay, we continued our journey northward, driving another 200 km to reach Geraldton - a significantly larger town with more urban character compared to the quieter, seaside charm of Jurien Bay. As expected, the sunset in Geraldton was equally spectacular, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape. However, unlike the jetties and buildings that added dramatic contrast in our earlier sunset views, Geraldton’s coastline is more open and natural, with fewer man-made structures to frame the scene.

Yet, in their own way, the silhouettes of wind-blown trees, rugged bushes, and the natural curves of the land created an atmosphere that was no less captivating. The raw, unfiltered beauty of nature against a slowly darkening sky offered a different kind of serenity - calm, expansive, and quietly powerful.

Immediately after leaving the seafront, we drove up to the highest point in Geraldton - the site of the HMAS Sydney II Memorial - to take in panoramic views of the sunset and the town below. Once again, we were not disappointed. The hilltop offered a stunning vantage point, with the golden rays of the setting sun casting a warm glow over the landscape and the sea shimmering in the distance.

Although we had visited the memorial earlier in the afternoon, the view at sunset was an entirely different experience - more dramatic, more serene. We would have lingered much longer to soak it all in, had the weather been a little kinder to us. A chilly breeze and gathering clouds eventually nudged us back into the warmth of our vehicle, but not before we had enjoyed one final, unforgettable glimpse of Geraldton bathed in twilight.