The hype is real! It’s heating up way too early for New Year’s Eve (NYE) in Sydney this year, expecting the extravagant celebrations to be bigger, brighter and better than ever. It’s always better to plan ahead and get a grip of the whole event, because the last thing you want to do is sit on your couch and watch the fireworks on your TV. Now, as we edge closer to the celebrations, here is what you can expect for New Year’s Eve in Sydney.
Unrivalled venue
No other states in Australia don’t come close to the magnitude and scale of Sydney’s family and midnight fireworks and this year it’s going to be no different. There are many vantages scattered across the harbour from where you can catch sight of the show. But to best enjoy these pyrotechnic showcasing, you can book the New Year’s Eve cruises on Sydney Harbour. These fireworks cruises traverse across the harbour giving you the best angles of the harbour fiestas, away from the crowds and moves to seclusion zones in time for the fireworks show. These are specially designated zones to ensure you witness the very best of the legendary fireworks display! That’s not all! You even get to feast on a deluxe dinner along with some of the finest Aussie bevvies, surely no other vantage points can top this one right?!
Other vantage points
Apart from the Sydney NYE cruises, there are other vantage points across the city that’ll get you a decent look at the fireworks show, although most of ‘em demands that you get there early. Hickson Road reserve is a grass area in front of the Hyatt Hotel. Last year it had a ticketed entry and alcohol was on sale. The entries are not open as of now but it’s likely coming soon. No BYO alcohol in this area. There are also lookout points on the other side of the Opera House, like West Circular Quay. Offering extraordinary views and a decent distance between you and the smoke and a grassy patch to sit on, this is a great pick.
In the botanic gardens
While the official details are yet to be released, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the highly-recommended recreational spots for NYE in Sydney. This chilled out public space right across the harbour gives you plenty of lookout ints and places to picnic. The famous Mrs. Macquarie’s Point hosted a pretty chill event last time around with live concerts, food and more. This 18+ area is just a kilometre away from the nearest public transport and is one of the best vantage points after the NYE cruises. BridgeView is also one of the most sought-after spots in the garden with fantastic bridge views, a cash bar, picnic hamper, circus-themed games, and more. The entry is between 6pm-8pm and you can bring beach-style chairs to camp out if you're not a fan of sitting on the lawn.
Wheelchair-friendly spots
The party in Sydney is for everyone, including wheelchair users. While there are limited fully accessible areas around the harbour, all of them have great views and can be booked on a form issued by the council. Here are some of them:
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Mary Booth Reserve at Kirribilli
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Sydney Opera House
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Mrs Macquaries Point
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Barangaroo
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Cahill Expressway (Balloted - follow their socials to know when the ballot opens)
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Pirrama Park at Pyrmont
All of them have accessible toilets as well - check out more info and how to book on the official Sydney NYE website.
In a nutshell
In the end, all you need to do is book ahead, so you won’t be limited with options. Most of them sell out weeks or months in advance. Don’t worry if you're late to the party, there are still free vantage points and if you're lucky it might be a front-row seat on the Quay! Time to call that long-lost relative in Sydney!
