One of the world’s first (each year) as well as greatest firework spectacles rings in the new years every January 1st in Sydney Australia. People come from around the world for this magical display of light, noise and crowds. There are always two displays, one held at 9pm, generally shorter and for families and children who do not want to stay up most of the night and then the main display held at the stroke of midnight.
Fireworks blast over iconic Sydney landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. In addition showers of light are shot off from the tops of the tallest buildings downtown. You can see the fireworks from a number of places in town but the best spots are generally from a boat in the harbor or from the Botanical Gardens. Many ideal places are off limits or closed for viewing the fireworks or require advance purchase of tickets – which generally sell out quickly.
The free public viewing areas such as in parts of Circular Quay generally start filling up around mid day with people laying out blankets and umbrellas and staking ‘their spot” until midnight. Circular Quay is also home to party central with young people wildly dancing in the streets to the pulsating beats of whatever are the hottest singles of the year.
Note that the prices of hotel rooms in and near the CBD, generally triple and quadruple for the night of the 31st and have higher rates around New Years.
More information on viewing areas is available here: www.sydneynewyearseve.com/vantage-points
Very good article Dave. We had a fun time living in very expensive Sydney for two Americans and a weak $USD in 2013. It’s a lovely city, a lot to do and see. Too bad were were off by 1-month to see the fireworks.
Regards,
M and G
NYC