10 of the best sun-kissed photo spots on the beautiful Gold Coast

We’ve chased the sun to bring you 10 of the best sun-kissed photo spots on the beautiful Gold Coast. Guaranteed no-filter-needed wedding pics right here, we promise!

A bride and groom embrace as the setting sun caresses their faces and bathes them in a radiant glow – no, it’s not a Nicholas Sparks film poster, it’s the holy grail of wedding photos that every bride dreams of. Warm and flattering, sunsets are nature’s filters that make us all look good, but it can be hard to pinpoint the exact time and location needed to nail this sun-kissed snap. We’ve done the hard work for you and found the best spots on the Gold Coast for perfect ‘golden glow’ shots. #NoFilter

1. THE SPIT, MAIN BEACH
While it may not have the most charming of names, Main Beach’s Spit is a bit of a sunset go-to on the Gold Coast. Located just a short distance from the heart of Surfers Paradise, it’s the ideal spot to see Mother Nature in all her glory, without having to travel too far out of the main city. Step off the beach and into what feels like the middle of the ocean when you walk hand-in-hand along the jetty and forget the camera’s even there.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 7pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:30pm
WINTER unset: 5:15pm
SPRING sunset: 6pm

2. TUGUN
Tugun’s low tide at sunset transforms the water into a mirror that reflects the vivid colours of the coastal sunset – ah-mazing. Located between Currumbin and Kirra, it’s an Insta-ready spot that makes for great silhouette images thanks to the vibrant sky backdrop.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:30pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:15pm
WINTER sunset: 5:15pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

Bride and groom kissing on the beach at sunset.

Watch as the pinks and oranges reflect off the water. Image: Evernew Studio

3. GREENMOUNT BEACH
Located near Coolangatta and overlooking the famous Snapper Rocks, Greenmount Beach comes alive at sunset with a fusion of oranges and pinks you can’t help but fall in love with. Meander along Greenmount Hill, which connects the beach to the tranquil Rainbow Bay, for beautiful photos any time of day.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:45pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:30pm
WINTER sunset: 5:00pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

4. THE BOARDWALK AT PAT FAGAN PARK
When you walk along this oceanside boardwalk fringed by lush greenery, you’d swear you were holidaying in Hawaii. A breathtaking tropical oasis with second-to-none views, Pat Fagan Park looks out over Coolangatta Beach and is lapped by crystal-clear waters that fade into bright turquoise and the deepest of blues. Heaven.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:45pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:15pm
WINTER sunset: 4:45pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

Bridal party walking barefoot along the beach

Ditch the heels and enjoy a walk along the beach with your crew. Image: Christopher Thomas

5. NOBBY BEACH
The perfect wedding snap spot, Nobby Beach features steps that flow straight out into the water – a clever way to get beautiful beach pics without ruining the wedding dress! This little pocket of sand next to Mermaid Beach connects to North Burleigh Hill lookout, a favourite with wedding photographers and nature-lovers alike.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:30pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:15pm
WINTER sunset: 5:00pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

6. TALLEBUDGERA CREEK BEACH
You wouldn’t expect a creek to have such quintessentially ‘beachy’ views, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Tallebudgera Creek Beach. Serene and less populated than the main beaches, this picture-perfect spot is framed by the Burleigh Head National Park and Palm Beach, lending itself to sensational photos.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:45pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:15pm
WINTER sunset: 5:00pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

7. KIRRA LOOKOUT, KIRRA HILL
Sweeping panoramic views of the Coolangatta and Kirra beaches are pretty hard to beat when it comes to nailing the perfect wedding photo backdrop. Gorgeous at sunset, this spot includes a striking eagle statue that looks out onto the surrounding vistas – not a bad spot for a few cheeky selfies with the bridal party!

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:45pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:15pm
WINTER sunset: 4:45pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

Dip your toes in the water as the sun sets for some quintessential GC snaps. Image: Jess Marks Photography

8. BURLEIGH HEADS
A favourite of locals and tourists, the rolling waves and ocean views that seem to go on forever are part of what makes the sunset at Burleigh Heads so special. A short drive from the heart of Surfers Paradise, this picturesque spot is popular with surfers and wedding photographers alike.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:45pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:15pm
WINTER sunset: 5:15pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

9. SNAPPER ROCKS ROCK POOLS, SNAPPER ROCKS
Okay, we know we already mentioned Snapper Rocks, but the rock pools there deserve their own spotlight. Photographers love snapping away at couples exploring the natural formations – plus, if you’re a little camera shy the rock pools are great for casual, non-posed shots. Perfect at sunset, this is a little gem you need to know about.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:30pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:30pm
WINTER sunset: 4:45pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

10. ARTHUR FREEMAN LOOKOUT, CURRUMBIN VALLEY
Who says a Gold Coast wedding has to be on the beach? For something a little bit different, yet still picturesque, Arthur Freeman Lookout in the Currumbin Valley boasts some of the region’s most spectacular hinterland views. Bondi Rescue fans, take note – this is where hottie Ryan Clark, aka ‘Whippet’, tied the knot to girlfriend, Gina Brackenridge.

Best times:
SUMMER sunset: 6:30pm
AUTUMN sunset: 5:30pm
WINTER sunset: 5:15pm
SPRING sunset: 5:45pm

Bride and groom watching the sunset from above at Q1.

You don’t have to be on a beach, you can enjoy the sunset from up above. Photo: Evernew Studio

TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Here are some helpful tools for predicting the perfect sunset.

Yahoo! 7 Weather App
The Yahoo! 7 Weather App includes sunrise and sunset predictions, as well as a range of convenient features such as temperature and weather forecasts. Plus, it just looks pretty. Enough said. au.mobile.

Australian Government Geoscience
While it may look like something George Clooney would stare at in The Perfect Storm, the Australian Government Geoscience website has a handy sunrise/ sunset calculator worth checking out. You don’t need to be a professional weatherman to read it – all you need to do is type in your location and date, and a prediction will be scientifically calculated.

Leave it to the pros
Of course, a good photographer who’s familiar with the area will know what time the sun sets. If ‘golden glow’ photos are a must for your wedding day, talk to your photographer early on and plan the day’s events around their suggested times.

10 of the best sun-kissed photo spots on the beautiful Gold Coast

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