If the three-day heatwave we've just experienced is any indication, Melbourne's summer is officially in full swing – and we couldn't be happier about the extra sunshine. So if you’re also a fan the long, warm days and balmy nights, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the summer solstice – aka the longest day of the year – which is happening on Sunday, December 21.
This year in Melbourne, the summer solstice is set to bless us with 14 hours and 47 minutes of sunshine. Here’s a rundown of how long the daylight will last and the exact timings of sunrise and sunset.
What is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, bringing the most daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. In the Southern Hemisphere, this happens when our side of Earth is tilted closest to the sun. As a result, the sun's rays hit the Earth more directly, leading to extended daylight hours and the sun appearing higher in the sky. At the same time, the Northern Hemisphere will experience the winter solstice, due to the North Pole being at its farthest tilt away from the sun.
When is the summer solstice in Melbourne 2025?
The summer solstice occurs annually across the Southern Hemisphere between December 21 and 23. In 2025, Melbourne’s longest day falls on Sunday, December 21, with 8.41pm marking the exact time of the solstice. From December 22, our days will gradually become shorter than our nights until the winter solstice in Australia on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
How many hours of daylight in Melbourne on the summer solstice?
On December 21, Melbourne will bask in 14 hours and 47 minutes of daylight. The sun is set to rise at 5.54am and finally set at 8.41pm. If you're keen to make the most of it, these are the best sunset and sunrise watching spots in the city.
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