South Australians enjoyed a quieter New Year’s Eve, diving in to 2022

Come on in, 2022! The last day of December was a hot one, but police say most South Australians behaved sensibly during a mostly trouble-free New Year’s Eve.

South Australians in all parts of the state have spent a quieter New Year’s Eve ringing in 2022 with hope for a prosperous year ahead.

Police said restrictions on home gatherings and capacity limits meant a “relatively quiet” start to the New Year, although there were more arrests than last year.

Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said that while “most people were keen to enjoy the night and to do the right thing” there were 57 arrests, 41 people reported and 113 expiation notices issued. Last year, 49 were arrested, six people were reported and 41 were fined.

“It appears to be a quieter year than it has been in previous times,” Mr Parrott said.

“We’re largely very happy with the way people have seen 2022 in this year.”

At White Sands on the Murray River near Murray Bridge, a group of friends, including Adam and Dayna Stunell (front) and Sam and Ariel Thesinger, (all from Virginia), celebrated the new year with cocktails.. Picture: Dean Martin

About 1367 drug and alcohol tests were conducted on SA roads, with 44 positive results to drink-driving and 11 positive drug tests returned.

A Gawler West man, 36, recorded the highest drink-driving result with a blood alcohol reading of 0.219, while a Clare man blew 0.203, both more than four times the limit.

As temperatures soared throughout the day, groups of families and friends flocked to pools, beaches and rivers to cool off.

Covid restrictions imposed earlier this week meant a maximum of 10 people could attend gatherings at homes, while hospitality venues that are usually packed for the celebration were this year limited by density requirements.

Crowds enjoy the fireworks at Light Up this New Year’s Eve in Rymill Park. Pic: Brenton Edwards

Zara Papst, 14, and Jed Papst, 12, with cousins Maggie Prior, 10, and Ava Prior, 8, in the pool for the count down to 2022. Picture: Emma Brasier

Georgie Papst, of Clarence Gardens, and her family enjoyed New Year’s Eve by the pool with friends.

She said they had slightly amended their plans to comply with restrictions.

“Before Christmas we had some larger groups over but we had a couple of smaller groups here separately today,” she said.

“We’re keeping it fairly quiet this year ... we’re just being careful.”

Tate Hartung, 20, of Nuriootpa, spent the day on the Murray River at White Sands, and rung in the New Year by the water.

“We’ve spent the last five days at a friend’s shack ... there’s been lots of wakeboarding, tubing and sitting around chatting,” he said.

“The weather has been mint, we haven’t had to worry about Covid. It’s been a great trip.”

Sarah Waldron, her husband Nick and their children Baylee and Mitch had a picnic dinner at Brighton Beach.

Ms Waldron said she was home for “a bit of a return to normality” during the coming year.

“I think we’re all wishing for a better year,” she said.

Annual fireworks displays at Glenelg, Brighton and Semaphore were axed due to Covid concerns, but the Light Up New Year’s Eve festival went ahead at Rymill Park in the CBD.

Mitch and Baylee enjoy a cooling bucketload from their mum, Sarah Waldron at Brighton – hoping for a brighter 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Brighton Surf Life Saving Club lifeguard John Cvetko keeps Clanga cool. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The Big Bash cricket clash between the Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder also proceeded at Adelaide Oval, despite confirmation before the game that four Sydney players had tested positive for Covid.

Delivering a New Year’s message to the state, Premier Steven Marshall said it had been an “extraordinary year for the people of South Australia”.

“I appreciate it has been a tough time for many, particularly with the new challenges posed by the Omicron variant, but I am incredibly proud of the way everyone in South Australia has risen to the challenges of 2021,” he said.

“I particularly want to thank our frontline workers, our health professionals and our police who have worked incredibly hard to keep all of us safe during some very trying times,” he said.

“I am confident South Australians will be able to rise again to the challenges in 2022 by banding together and supporting one another.

“It’s going to be a very different start to the new year, but I’m confident there is no better place to be than right here in South Australia and I wish everyone a safe and happy 2022.”

Lachlan Brumfield, 13, Isabel Brumfield, 14, and Emily Brumfield, 11, getting ready for the start of the Men's Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Sydney Thunder at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas urged South Australians to look to the future.

“There’s no doubt the last two years have had their challenges but there’s good reason for hope and optimism into the future,” he said.

“The task for us in 2022 is to ensure the legacy of Covid is more than just a bad memory, but instead the foundation for a brighter future for all South Australians, particularly the next generation.”