From a pauper’s picnic to $50,000 hotel rooms, how to celebrate NYE in Sydney
Revealed: How Russian billionaires and Middle Eastern sheiks splash their cash on a Sydney New Year’s Eve.
NSW
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It will be a tale of two budgets for New Year’s Eve revellers in Sydney next week, as fat cats fork out nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the best views, while watching from some harbourside spots is free.
Russian billionaires and Middle Eastern sheiks are among the “top 1 per cent” who descend on Sydney, splashing cash on New Year’s Eve festivities, such as $145,000 for the 112-foot superyacht Ghost II.
Sydney Boat Hire owner Daniel Chehab said that price bought 24 hours aboard for up to 12 guests, with a team of chef and waiters serving gourmet food and drink.
“They are the 1 per cent of the 1 per cent — they are sheiks from Dubai and Saudi Arabia, billionaires from Russia and Europe,” Mr Chehab said. “Not many locals spend that kind of money on New Year’s Eve because if they have that much money they have a place in Point Piper.”
He said Sydney Harbour was on the bucket list of the world’s elite: “We have the best fireworks display in the world in the best harbour.”
Despite costing $50,000 a night, the presidential suite at the Shangri-La Hotel is already booked out for New Year’s Eve — at a total cost of $200,000 because guests must book at four nights minimum.
At the Park Hyatt Hotel, near the Harbour Bridge, the Opera Suite costs slightly less at $25,000 a night for New Year’s Eve with a minimum seven night stay costing $125,000 in total.
AirBnbs are also a costly option, with one Kirribilli apartment owner with gun barrel views of the Harbour Bridge offering up a single bedroom for $3,654.
For that price two people can stay overnight in the apartment with 10 guests.
“(You) won’t have to deal with porta loos all day, you can sit back with your own party food and alcoholic drinks,” an advertisement for the property says.
Restaurants are also cashing in, with Aria restaurant at Circular Quay selling premium tickets to its New Year’s Eve show for $2020. It includes canapes, a five-course tasting menu and “access to the Aria Terrace at your own leisure”.
But revellers do not have to be among the global elite to enjoy this year’s fireworks extravaganza with harbour reserves offering perfect spots for a pauper’s picnic.
For $10 a head families can get access to Bradfield Park right under the bridge.
Million dollar views are completely free slightly further away at Cremorne Point, Kurraba Point and St Leonards Park which are also alcohol free.
The southern shores of Sydney Harbour at popular parks including Duff Reserve at Point Piper, Dumaresq Reserve at Rose Bay and Robertson Park at Watson’s Bay are also free.
This year’s fireworks will cost $6.5 million to produce — up from $5.8 million last year, a City of Sydney spokesman said.
It’s expected almost one million people will gather in the city for the celebrations.
Tom Dexmier is opting to skip on any expensive events and will instead watch the fireworks for free at a friends apartment in Potts Point.
“It will cost us a couple of bottles of champagne and a couple of nibbles and that’s it,” he said.
“It has great view — we just pay in champagne.”