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In devastating news, in two weeks daylight savings is ending and Australians will be farewelling the last of summer with it. But, it’s not all doom and gloom. If you’ve woken up early this week and been greeted by a sky that looks like it’s been hand-painted in hues of pink and gold, you’re not imagining things—Australia’s sunrises really do hit different towards the end of daylight savings.
On April 6 we’ll say a bittersweet farewell to long evenings as we wind our clocks back an hour, but until then, now may be the perfect time to catch some pretty spectacular sunrises.
According to TikToker DW Around The World—who has built a reputation for explaining all things celestial—autumn is the season for vibrant morning skies. Why? It all comes down to the perfect combination of later sunrise times, cooler air, and just the right amount of cloud cover.
When Does Daylight Savings End In Australia
Daylight saving time (DST) officially ends in Australia at 3AM on Sunday, April 6, 2025, for residents in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT. Clocks will be turned back one hour to 2AM—an adjustment that can feel like a small win for early risers but a loss for those who love long, sunlit evenings. Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory don’t observe daylight saving, so time changes won’t apply in these states.
Do We Lose Or Gain An Hour When Daylight Savings Ends?
Perhaps the best thing about daylight saving time ending is the extra hour of sleep we’ll get on the morning of April 6, as the clocks wind back from 3AM to 2AM. Aside from getting an extra hour of sleep (a small yet satisfying consolation), the end of daylight savings signals a shift in the daily rhythm. Mornings will feel brighter, making it easier to wake up, while evenings will darken sooner, nudging us toward cosy, winter routines. It can take a few days for our internal body clocks to adjust, so don’t be alarmed if you find yourself waking up too early or feeling sluggish in the evenings.
What Is Daylight Savings, Anyway?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is when clocks are set forward one hour from standard time (ST), in order to maximise on natural daylight. In other words, changing the clocks gives everyone an extra hour of sunlight to make use of in the evening, rather than leaving the office when it’s already dark out.
In Australia, DST is observed in almost all states and territories, excluding Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, moving clocks forward one hour in the summer (the first Sunday of October) and back one hour when returning to Standard Time (ST) in autumn (the first Sunday in April).
How Does Daylight Saving Affect The Sunrise?
With the change in time, sunrise and sunset will consequently happen one hour earlier. The purpose of this is to give us brighter mornings but darker evenings, to make the most of the daylight during waking hours. This means hooray for sunrise strolls before work! Plus, as daylight savings signals a wider shift in the weather, our mornings are about to get a whole lot more colourful.
Why Are Sunrises Better In Daylight Saving?
Firstly, timing plays a major role. With the sun rising later and daylight saving ending in two weeks, sunrise will be an easier catch for even the most reluctant early risers between now and the first Sunday of April. Instead of the 6 AM wake-up calls we’re used to in summer, the sun is currently creeping over the horizon around 7 AM, making those candy-coloured skies far more accessible.
Then there’s the science of light. In autumn, the atmosphere is cooler and less humid than in summer, which means less haze and pollution in the air. Cleaner air allows more of the sun’s light to scatter, creating vibrant and long-lasting colours across the sky. This is thanks to something called Rayleigh scattering, the same effect that makes the sky blue during the day—but in the early hours, as the sun rises at a lower angle, it results in fiery reds, deep purples, and soft pinks instead.
Clouds play a critical role, too. Autumn mornings tend to have more mid-to-high altitude clouds, which act as a canvas, reflecting the sun’s light long before it actually peeks over the horizon. The result? A sky that looks like an oil painting for a fleeting moment before the day officially begins.
How To Catch The Best Sunrise Before And After Daylight Savings
Want to make the most of the sunrise before daylight saving ends? The golden rule of sunrise-watching is simple: elevation and visibility are key. Beaches, hilltops, or anywhere with a clear eastern view will give you the best vantage point. If you’re in Sydney, spots like Bondi’s Ben Buckler or Barrenjoey Lighthouse will deliver. Melburnians? Anywhere along The Mornington Peninsula or even on the hill at Quarries Park should give you good vision.
As daylight saving wraps up in just under two weeks, consider setting your alarm (just this once) and stepping outside to soak in nature’s most beautiful—and fleeting—light show.
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