There is a short window after sunset when the sky still holds colour but the city below has already switched on.
From Burkes Lookout in the Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne spreads across the horizon in layers. The foreground falls into shadow while the suburbs begin to glow, forming a vast carpet of lights beneath the last orange band of sky.
Stay after the sunset
The view is at its most compelling when you stay past the moment the sun disappears. Blue hour adds depth to the sky and makes the city lights feel warmer by comparison.
On clear days the lookout offers a broad panorama across Melbourne and beyond. It is a useful reminder that some of the city’s most memorable views happen when you are looking away from the centre.
Wait for the city to turn itself on.
Location: Burkes Lookout, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Victoria. Check Parks Victoria for current access and park conditions.
From the ranges, Melbourne stops feeling like a city and starts looking like one continuous field of light.
