New Year’s Eve: The eyes of the world are on Sydney to welcome in 2016 with a bang

QUEUES hundreds of metres long have already formed to grab the best spots around the harbour for tonight’s fireworks. As the world awaits midnight, Sydney will once again be the focus of ­attention as the first major city in the world to ring in the New Year. THE BEST VANTAGE POINTS FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS

Crowds stream into the Opera House forecourt hours before the New Year's Eve fireworks are due to be let off . European Tourist diane Nutz takes a selfie with friends christine Achleitnec, Sophia Ruetzel, Kerstin Blaszczyk & Michael Kuetzel .pic John Grainger

QUEUES hundreds of metres long have already formed to grab the best spots around the harbour for tonight’s fireworks.

A million people are predicted to line the Sydney Harbour foreshore for fireworks displays while other vantage points around the city are also certain to attract large crowds.

But it is slow going with tightened security meaning every bag is checked thoroughly before anyone is allowed through entry gates.

The fence line around the Sydney Opera House has filled up already with tourists like 26-year-old Diana Nutz and Christine Achleitner, 20, both from Austria as well as friends Kerstin Blaszczyk, 19, and Sophia Ruetzel, 20, and Michael Ruetzel, 18, from Germany.

European Tourist Diana Nutz takes a selfie with friends. Picture: John Grainger

“We are looking forward to the fireworks which we’ve seen on TV all our lives,” Ms Nutz said.

Mr Ruetzel added, “they are the best in the world so we had to see them.”

With a partly cloudy day forecast with a top of 25 degrees the weather gods could hardly have been kinder

Celebrations will kick off at 6pm with an air display over the harbour by flying ace Matt Hall.

At 8.40pm the pylons will be illuminated with a welcome to country ceremony followed by the family-friendly 9pm fireworks which will display flora and fauna themes to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Taronga Zoo centenary.

At midnight the 12-minute firework display will include lighting on the historic pylons, with organisers saying this year will be the biggest ever incorporating an extra 2400 effects.

Sydney CBD: What you need to know

• Trains run all night
• 4500 extra buses
• Roads will be closed throughout today, with Royal Botanic Gardens road shutting from 5am
• Stick to public transport as suburbs as far away as  Brighton- Le-Sands, will be affected by road closures.
• From 2pm roads closed at Circular Quay.
• Affected CBD streets include Elizabeth, George, King, Pitt and Macquarie streets.
• Anzac Bridge, Victoria Rd and the Western Distributor closed 8.30pm to 9.30pm, and 11.30pm to 1am
• Harbour Bridge shuts 11pm to 1am, with the Cahill Expressway closed 11am to 4am
• Trains will not stop at Circular Quay Station from 6pm to 1am
• Walk to the harbour foreshore from Wynyard, St James or Martin Place.
• More information: sydneynewyearseve.com

A million people are predicted to line the Sydney Harbour foreshore for fireworks displays while other vantage points around the city are also certain to attract large crowds.

For one group of tourists from Hong Kong and Taiwan, “nothing on earth” beats watching the fireworks from the harbour foreshore, and they’ve been prepared to camp for 39 hours straight just to secure a waterfront spot at ­Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve, Kirribilli.

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Bill Fang, wife Yahan Liu, his ­brother Justin and seven other friends set up a tent yesterday morning and are taking turns playing card games, fishing and listening to the radio until the fireworks start.

“It is such a famous view,” Mr Fang said. “We have actually come back to this spot for three years in a row, it is so powerful.”

Bill Fang and Yahan Liu, from Taiwan, camping at Kirribilli yesterday / Picture: Justin Lloyd

They have set up camp beneath a pair of palm trees decked out with two flags — the Aussie flag alongside that of Taiwan as “we think the countries should be friends”.

“Nowhere beats this spot in the whole wide world,” Ms Liu said.

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions 800 Words actress Emma Leonard has opted for fun in 2016.

“As an Aussie chick it is about time I learnt to surf,” she said.

“I’m going to be in New Zealand for a good part of 2016 shooting 800 Words so I think it will be a good place to learn. I love the beach and I’ve ­always wanted to surf.”

Leonard will ring in the New Year at a friend’s house party overlooking the Sydney Harbour fireworks.

“We get to celebrate first in the world,” she said.

800 Words actress Emma Leonard is primed for a top New Year's Eve / Picture: Philip Hillyard

NSW Police say they have “had no specific threats” but will work closely with counter-terrorism and other intelligence agencies to ensure a safe night.

Extra “covert assistance” will be on duty on top of thousands of extra officers. Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller said the Police Operation Centre would run two full shifts to process ­information gathered.

“There is no reason to stay at home, Sydney is very safe, it’s a very beautiful city and I couldn’t think of a better place to spend New Year’s Eve,” he said.

This is what they’re waiting for: New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour / Picture: John Appleyard

Extra paramedics have been rostered with thousands of calls for help ­expected on the night.

NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Joel Bardsley said paramedics last year treated one patient every 24 seconds between 4pm New Year’s Eve and 6am the next day.

At one point, between midnight and 2am, they responded to a call every 16.5 seconds.

“Unfortunately the majority of what paramedics will treat across the evening will be due to alcohol ­intoxication or the effects of drugs,” he said.

Maurice June, Anna Jaques, Mumeyah June (4) and Micah June (6) are ready for New Year’s Eve in Parramatta / Picture: Peter Kelly