Pegs on the Line
Queensland

Outback Sunsets Unedited

“Quick Pegs, you’re going to miss your sunset.”

While bush camping in the outback we usually tried to have our camp set up before dark. After 4pm we’d start looking for somewhere to spend the night -a disused gravel pit, a level gap in the bush on the side of the road. We’d park the van, set up my tent if the area wasn’t too exposed, arrange the table and chairs and pull out the barbecue. Then we’d sit outside and enjoy the last bit of light before the sun dropped below the trees that invariably surrounded us.

This became my favourite part of day.

Sunset.

Before this trip I couldn’t remember the last time I had made an effort to watch the sunset. The occasions that come to mind are from my travels: In Ulcinj, Montenegro; Lake Ohrid, Macedonia; Istanbul, Turkey. All nearly a year ago. Watching the sunset at beautiful locations is something I seem to seek out while travelling, but don’t even think about when I’m not. I took more than 200 sunset photos in Queensland.

While travelling in the outback we started making an effort to catch the best view of the sunset. Sometimes it wasn’t possible, such as when the trees surrounding our camp meant we lost sight of the sun a lot earlier than we would have liked. Other times we got lucky. My view of the sunset at Bramwell Station came from the driveway, a short walk from the camping area. And then were the times we made sure we were where we wanted to be, such as on the beach at Cape York or at Karumba Point to watch the sky burn over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

These became moments we stopped for.

After being slightly shocked at just how many photos I took on the trip, I’ve managed to whittle down my favourite sunset shots to share with you. Every image here is straight off the camera, unedited. You’re seeing what I saw.

There might not have been much colour at the start of this sunset at Loyalty Beach, Cape York.....
There might not have been much colour at the start of this sunset at Loyalty Beach, Cape York…..
but that changed later!
but that changed later!
A rural sunset at Bramwell Station, 240km south of Cape York.
A rural sunset at Bramwell Station, 240km south of Cape York.
Savannah Way, about 40km east of Croydon.
Along the Savannah Way about 40km east of Croydon.
Now this is how sunset should be enjoyed - with a class of wine. Karumba Point is the best place to view the sunset in Gulf Country.
Now this is how sunset should be enjoyed – with a class of wine. Karumba Point is the best place to view the sunset in Gulf Country.
A blood-orange view of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
A blood-orange view of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The only phone reception at Adel's Grove, near the Boodjamulla National Park, is found at the top of the lookout, so I shared this view with numerous people using their laptops in the bush.
The only phone reception at Adel’s Grove, near the Boodjamulla National Park, is found at the top of the lookout, so I shared this view with numerous people using their laptops in the bush.
Golden hour at the Constance Range at Boodjamulla National Park.
Golden hour at the Constance Range at Boodjamulla National Park.
The dropping sun was our cue to start walking back down from the Constance Ranges before it got too dark to see the trail.
The dropping sun was our cue to start walking back down from the Constance Ranges before it got too dark to see the trail.
Lake Moondarra near Mount Isa.
Lake Moondarra near Mount Isa.
Looking west at King Creek, south of Bedourie.
Looking west at King Creek, south of Bedourie.
And in the other direction, the moon was doing this.
And in the other direction, the moon was doing this.
Probably the most iconic place to what the sunset in outback Queensland - from the top of Big Red at the edge of the Simpson Desert near Birdsville.
Probably the most iconic place to what the sunset in outback Queensland – from the top of Big Red at the edge of the Simpson Desert near Birdsville.
Our goal this night was to reach the top of the Vaughan Johnson lookout at the border of the Diamantina and Bedourie shires, except we didn't leave Birdsville soon enough so we enjoyed the sunset from the road.
Our goal this night was to reach the top of the Vaughan Johnson lookout at the border of the Diamantina and Bedourie shires, except we didn’t leave Birdsville soon enough so we enjoyed the sunset from the road.
A disused gravel pit at Mein Deviation on the road to Cape York was our camp site for the night. The trees to the west blocked our view of the sunset, but the moon in the east was beautiful.
A disused gravel pit at Mein Deviation on the road to Cape York was our camp site for the night. The trees to the west blocked our view of the sunset, but the moon in the east was beautiful.
Author

Pegs on the Line is a collection of stories about places, people and experiences around the world. It's written by Megan Dingwall, an Australian journalist with an insatiable curiosity. Available to answer questions such as is Tasmania a real place (yes) and do Tassie devils spin (no).

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2 Comments

    • Megan Post Author Reply

      Thanks Katie. While some photographers achieve incredible photos with the help of editing software, sometimes nature is just as impressive on its own.

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