Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Far North Queensland
Whether its catching the midnight fireworks or partying at festive venues around the region, say goodbye to 2024 in style.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Whether it’s catching the midnight fireworks or partying at festive venues around the region, say goodbye to 2024 in style.
After a tough year recovering from natural disasters and a cost of living crisis, Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden said New Year’s events were a time to reflect on the past year and look forward with optimism to the next 12 months.
“This year, our New Year’s Eve celebrations are designed to bring our community together with free and accessible events for all ages,” Cr Eden said.
“We’ve got something for everyone with events happening at the Esplanade, and fireworks at Edmonton and Palm Cove.
“Let’s come together as a community to say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025 with joy and optimism.”
Live music and family friendly entertainment, including performances by the Anais Campbell Trio, DJ Chooky and DJ Bart will feature in a four-hour concert on the Cairns Esplanade from 5pm as part of Council’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Family fireworks will be held at 9pm, to give the expected sellout crowd from the Cairns Taipans home game time to make their way from the Cairns Convention Centre to the Esplanade.
A second fireworks display will be held at the midnight to welcome in 2025.
Additional fireworks will be held at 8.30pm at Walker Road Sports Precinct in Edmonton, and the Palm Cove jetty.
Council advised events may be cancelled in the event of strong wind or lightning storms.
Road closures
There will be road closures in place to allow for New Year’s Eve
festivities in the Cairns CBD.
Shields Street to Florence Street will be closed from 11am on December 31
to 9am on January 2.
Spence Street to Shields Street will be closed from 4.30pm on December 31 to 1am on January 1.
Florence Street to Minnie Street will be closed from 7.30pm on December 31 to 1am on January 1.
The Esplanade Dining Precinct from Shields Street to Aplin Street will be closed to all traffic from 11am to 5am daily, until Monday 27 January 2025.
Commercial access will be available from 5am to 11am daily, and emergency vehicles will be permitted access at all times.
Reef Hotel Casino
As the year draws to a close, celebrate 2025 in style at Tamarind with a New Year’s Eve Degustation dinner.
Enjoy an evening with delicious food, great company, and unforgettable memories.
Diners can enjoy a tropical seafood menu including oysters, Australian lobster, lamb fillet and more.
Tickets are $190 per person, or $250 with matching wines.
Bookings are essential.
Ring in the New Year with the grooving tunes of Elton John at BAR 36.
The free concert starring Greg Andrew and The Rocketeers will keep the party going into the New Year.
The Benson
Step onto the red carpet and usher in the New Year with a touch of Hollywood glamour at The Benson Hotel’s exclusive rooftop party.
Enjoy midnight firework views, a DJ set by Glenn W, and drinks on arrival.
With VIP booths available, this event promises a night of elegance and excitement.
Early bird tickets are $35
General admission $45
Book a VIP booth for 10 at $750.
Doors open at 4pm until late.
Tickets are available via The Benson Hotel website.
Spirit of Cairns
Get your New Year’s Eve celebrations off to a roaring start with a festive dinner cruise on board Spirit of Cairns.
Enjoy a welcome drink as you board, tuck into some tasty canapes (vegan options available) and admire the view while cruising through Trinity Inlet and across the Cairns waterfront precinct.
Sit down in airconditioned comfort for a delicious buffet New Year’s Eve dinner, featuring top-quality produce and some festive favourites.
Enjoy an extensive drinks package for the duration of the cruise, including a selection of beer, wine and soft drinks.
Cocktails available for purchase, as well as a full range of wines, beer and spirits.
Arrive back at the Marlin Marina at 9.45pm to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks and bid ‘Auld lang syne’ to 2024.
Ultimate Party Bus Cairns
Avoid the queues and be treated like a VIP in Cairns 2023/2024 New Year’s Eve Ultimate Party Tour.
Ultimate Party Bus Cairns offers two different Party Tours, the sunset tour and fireworks tour, both of which combine a five bar pub and club crawl around Cairns for a warm up before celebrating the New Year.
Crystalbrook Collection
Crystalbrook Flynn
Sip bubbles under the night sky or bust a move to eclectic beats by DJ Markus Mark on the rooftop as you wait to countdown to the New Year from 9pm.
DJ Markus Mark will bring the party vibe – so get ready to hit the dance floor.
Savour the premium food offering with a seafood station including oysters, ceviche and prawns, a locally sourced grazing station as well as dessert stations to devour.
Cocktail bars will feature Grey Goose Vodka and Olmeca Tequila and a Mojo Sparkling tower for the countdown at midnight.
Tickets are $179 per person and includes a 3-hour premium food stations and drinks package including beer, wine and spirits.
New Year’s Eve at Flynn’s Italian –
Welcome 2025 with a tropical Italian affair.
With two delicious seatings available, enjoy an early dining experience or settle in for the evening and raise your glass to a new year the Flynn’s Italian way with a saluti!
Start the festivities with an early celebratory dinner with friends or family. 5:30pm – 8:00pm – includes a set menu with a welcome drink on arrival for $79 per person.
Children’s menu available for $49 per person (12 years and under) includes soft drinks and juice.
Settle in for the main event ‘late seating’ and enjoy an evening of gourmet Italian fare and fireworks on the Esplanade. 9:00pm – 12:00am and includes a set menu, welcome and countdown drink for $89 per person.
Boardwalk Social New Year’s Eve –
Get the party started with music, fun and ‘great vibes’ at Boardwalk Social.
Enjoy live music, a DJ and great vibes all day and all night.
Free entry from 11:30am with live music from 9:00pm – 12:00am.
Crystalbrook Riley
New Year’s Eve at Rocco
Nothing says New Year’s Eve like a party on the rooftop!
With unparalleled views of the Cairns fireworks display, enjoy a memorable evening and embrace the New Year twelve floors up at Rocco by Crystalbrook.
A three-hour beverage package will be available from 9pm, December 31 until 12am, January 1, including premium wines, bubbles, beer, spirits and cocktails, accompanied by a selection of canapes.
This cocktail event is complete with music from our DJ to create the party atmosphere. Tickets are $199 per person.
New Year’s Eve at Paper Crane
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Paper Crane in Cairns overlooking the Esplanade and views of the fireworks.
Enjoy delicious Asian fusion food, good company and live entertainment from 5:30pm, with children’s options available.
Early seating | 5:30pm – 8:00pm | $59 per person | includes set menu and drink on
arrival.
Late seating | 9:00pm – 12:00am | $79 per person | includes set menu, drink on
arrival, dessert and countdown drink
Kids menu $29 (12 and under) includes bottomless soft drinks and juice
Crystalbrook Bailey
A CC’s New Year
Celebrate with fine wine, good food and great company!
Gather your ensemble for a sumptuous evening that satiates your senses, and ring in
the New Year – CC’s style.
Bookings are essential and available up until 10:00pm. Bar opens at 5:30pm for pre-
dinner drinks.
Dundee’s Restaurant Aquarium
Ring in the New Year with a delicious six-source dining experience at Dundee’s Restaurant Aquarium.
Enjoy a fresh glass of bubbles on arrival before tucking into a tropical menu including a bloody-mary oyster shooter, crab and avocado tart, pan seared Barramundi, Char gilled Eye fillet and more.
$145 per person Dundee’s Restaurant.
$195.00 person to dine under the sea inside the Aquarium
Pullman Port Douglas
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Style at Pullman Port Douglas
The resort’s New Year’s Eve celebrations begin with sunset cocktails by the pool, followed by a five-course degustation featuring a tantalising array of gourmet dishes.
From fresh seafood to mouth-watering desserts, the culinary offerings are designed to delight the senses.
Throughout the evening, guests are treated to live entertainment from local musicians that adds to the festive atmosphere.
Bookings are essential.
Originally published as Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Far North Queensland
‘Everybody wants to be a model’: Self-portrait studio opens in CBD
From self-portraits to group photos, a Cairns photo studio has expanded its business model to include professional photos at the click of a button.
Police taser lost during stolen vehicle chase
Police are appealing for public help to locate a bright yellow taser lost by an officer while jumping fences in Mooroobool during an operation to track and disrupt a stolen car.