Sunset Time in Brisbane Today

Brisbane, Australia

Forecast updated:

Cloud on the horizon does not move the astronomical sunset time — it can hide the sun a few minutes early, but it often produces the most dramatic colors.

Conditions can shift — arrive 30 minutes early for the best experience.

Pair with golden hour or moon visibility for complete planning.

Forecast accuracy is highest within the next 1–3 days.

Sunset & Daylight Patterns Specific to Brisbane

Brisbane sits at 27.5° S in the subtropical zone. It is spring there now, and the sun currently spends 12.4 hours above the horizon each day.

Being in the southern hemisphere, Brisbane's longest days fall in December and shortest in June — the opposite of cities in North America or Europe. Solstice sunsets in December can be 14 hours after sunrise. Brisbane runs from 10.4 to 13.9 hours of daylight across the year, a 3.5-hour swing. Today's 12.4 hours set how much room you have to move plans around.

Golden hour in Brisbane lasts about 45 minutes today, with civil twilight adding a further 23 minutes of usable blue-hour light after sunset.

The most photogenic sunset conditions in Brisbane come in July, August, September, October, when the atmosphere is clearest and high-pressure systems push cloud layers away from the western horizon. Brisbane is the sunniest state capital in Australia with an average of 283 sunny days per year, yet its 2011 flood covered an area larger than France and Germany combined.

Civil twilight at Brisbane's latitude lasts approximately 23 minutes after the sun drops below the horizon — this is the "blue hour" window of soft, diffused light that photographers prize above all others. At 27.5°, this window is brief, making precise timing critical — the sky transitions from golden to dark in under half an hour.

City-specific facts for Brisbane

  • •Latitude: 27.5° S — longest days in December, shortest in June
  • •Summer daylight: ~13.9h | Winter daylight: ~10.4h — a 3.5-hour annual swing
  • •Civil twilight (blue hour) duration: ~23 minutes post-sunset
  • •Prime sunset colour months: July, August, September, October
  • •Hemisphere: southern — sunset moves southward in summer, altering composition angles significantly
  • •Local season right now: spring (southern hemisphere)
  • •Daylight today: 12.4 h — annual range 10.4–13.9 h
  • •Solar regime today: normal sunrise/sunset cycle

Sun & Moon Times in Brisbane

Sunset timing in Brisbane is driven by latitude and season. We apply atmospheric refraction corrections for accuracy within one minute. Golden hour begins roughly 60 minutes before sunset — the most valuable window for photography, outdoor dining, and evening walks.

Sunset in Brisbane shifts by several minutes each week. Summer evenings are longest, winter sunsets arrive earliest. Cloud cover near the horizon does not change the sunset time itself, though it can hide the sun a few minutes early and often produces the most dramatic color displays.

For the best sunset experience, arrive at your viewing spot 30 minutes before the listed time. Conditions can shift — check again on the day itself.

Sunrise & Sunset Guide for Brisbane in October

Brisbane is Australia's sunniest capital, with warm weather almost year-round. Summers (December-February) bring high humidity and powerful afternoon thunderstorms — the city lies in a "supercell" corridor that produces dramatic storms with large hail. Winters are dry and mild, rarely dropping below 10°C, making them ideal for outdoor activities. The Brisbane River floods periodically during extreme rain events.

October is one of Brisbane's sunniest months, meaning longer days, later sunsets, and extended golden hour windows. With temperatures around 22-30°C, evenings are warm enough to enjoy outdoor dining, sunset walks, and photography sessions well past sunset. The clear skies typical of this period produce vivid sunset colors — especially oranges and deep reds — as the sun sets through minimal atmospheric moisture.

☀️ Daylight & Day Length

During October, Brisbane enjoys some of its longest days of the year. Sunrise comes early and sunset extends late into the evening, giving you maximum daylight for outdoor activities. The extended twilight after sunset — known as civil twilight — adds another 30-40 minutes of usable light for walks, outdoor dining, and casual photography.

📋 Planning Around Sunset

Plan your main outdoor activities for the morning (before 10 AM) or late afternoon (after 4 PM) when temperatures are most comfortable. The midday sun in Brisbane during October can be intense — use this time for indoor sightseeing, lunch, or rest. Evening activities are particularly rewarding as temperatures cool and the light becomes soft and warm.

Photography at Sunrise & Sunset

Clear summer skies in Brisbane create predictable, warm golden hour light. Arrive at your shooting location 45 minutes before sunset for the best light. The last 15 minutes before sunset produce the warmest, most directional light — ideal for portraits, architecture, and landscape shots. Stay for blue hour (20-30 minutes after sunset) for cool-toned cityscapes.

Seasonal Sun Patterns in Brisbane

☀️ Longest Days

July, August, September, October — these months bring the latest sunsets and longest daylight hours in Brisbane. Expect extended evenings perfect for outdoor dining, sunset walks, and golden hour photography. The warmest temperatures (22-30°C) coincide with the longest days.

🌙 Shortest Days

January, February, March — earlier sunsets and shorter daylight hours define this period in Brisbane. Temperatures drop to around 10-22°C. Plan outdoor activities around midday when the sun is highest. The dramatic low-angle light creates stunning photography opportunities despite the shorter window.

📍 Local Weather Insight

Brisbane is the sunniest state capital in Australia with an average of 283 sunny days per year, yet its 2011 flood covered an area larger than France and Germany combined.

Local Tips for Brisbane

Winter (June-August) offers the best outdoor weather — warm days, cool nights, zero humidity

Summer thunderstorms can produce destructive hail — check forecasts and avoid leaving cars exposed

South Bank and the river walk are best enjoyed in the morning during summer before the heat peaks

The jacaranda season (October-November) turns the inner suburbs into a purple paradise

When Sunset Viewing Is Not Worth It in Brisbane

  • •Fully overcast skies — thick cloud cover blocks the sun entirely, producing a flat grey horizon with no color variation.
  • •Heavy rain or thunderstorms — unsafe conditions and zero visibility of the sun. Check the rain forecast for Brisbane.
  • •Dense smog or haze — obscures the horizon line and reduces color saturation, making sunset appear washed out.
  • •West-blocked viewpoints — buildings, mountains, or trees blocking the western horizon will cut off sunset 10–30 minutes early.

What Determines Sunset Time?

Sunset time in Brisbane is determined by the city's latitude, longitude, and the time of year. During summer, the Earth's axial tilt causes the sun to take a longer path across the sky, resulting in later sunsets. In winter, the opposite occurs — shorter days mean earlier sunsets. Near the equinoxes (March and September), sunset times change most rapidly, shifting by 2–3 minutes per day. At Brisbane's latitude, the difference between the earliest and latest sunset can be several hours across the year. Our daily calculations use precise astronomical data to give you the exact sunset time accurate to the minute.

Did you know? Sunset in Brisbane shifts by up to 3 minutes per day near the equinoxes — timing matters more than you think.

Planning to watch the sunset in Brisbane?

Local Astronomy Profile · Brisbane

Subtropical latitude (27.5°) — -3.5 h annual day-length swing.

27.4698° S, 153.0251° E🌐 southern hemisphereComputed from NOAA solar position formulas
Longest day
10 h 16 min

Latest possible sunset of the year (June solstice).

Shortest day
13 h 44 min

Earliest possible sunset of the year (December solstice).

Sunset shifts by
-0.6 min/day on average

Average daily sunset drift between the two solstices — peaks near the equinoxes.

Civil twilight extends
roughly 25–35 min after sunset

Civil twilight is the usable shooting window after the sun is gone.

Data: Open-Meteo

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is sunset in Brisbane today?

Today's sunset time for Brisbane is shown above and updates daily. Sunset times shift throughout the year based on Brisbane's latitude and the Earth's axial tilt. Summer sunsets are later, winter sunsets are earlier.

When is golden hour in Brisbane?

Golden hour in Brisbane begins approximately 1 hour before sunset and ends at sunset. The exact timing is displayed above. Morning golden hour starts at sunrise and lasts about 1 hour.

How long is the day in Brisbane?

Day length in Brisbane varies by season. Today's exact day length is shown above. At mid-latitudes, this ranges from about 8 hours in winter to 16+ hours in summer.

Is the moon visible tonight in Brisbane?

Moon visibility depends on the current phase and cloud cover. Tonight's moon phase and illumination percentage for Brisbane are shown above. A higher illumination percentage means a brighter, more visible moon.

Precipitation radar

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