NYE 2021: Tickets still available to watch Sydney’s fireworks
Authorities have urged New Year’s Eve revellers to stay safe as they ring in 2022. Here’s some of the best advice on how to keep Covid alert during tonight’s fun.
NSW
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Authorities have urged New Year’s Eve revellers to stay safe as they ring in 2022 after NSW’s Covid infections rocketed overnight.
The state recorded 21,152 new infections on Friday and six deaths, a massive spike upwards from 12,226 cases and one death yesterday.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said on Friday the spiralling case numbers were of “real concern” ahead of tonight’s festivities, and asked partygoers not to abandon safety measures if they are celebrating.
“Because the surge in Omicron cases is a real concern, people should carefully consider the risk of attending events and gatherings,” Ms Moore said.
“Be vaccinated, use QR codes, wear a mask and practice social distancing.”
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres urged punters to practice “personal responsibility” and choose for themselves if it was safe to celebrate, and to only come to the Sydney CBD if they had secured a ticket to any of the fireworks vantage points or festivities.
“Practice good public health measures... when you feel it’s required, don’t be afraid to put a mask on, we know it makes a difference,” Mr Ayres said.
“It’s a fantastic thing that we’re able to put on the fireworks... but we want to make sure we do it in a safe way.”
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon asked revellers to practise “personal responsibility” no matter what their plans were, and to stay as Covid-safe as possible.
“Our message is very clear, we want people to enjoy themselves tonight, bring in the new year in style but please be safe in doing so,” Dep Comm Lanyon told Sunrise on Friday.
“We want people to get into town safely but get home as well. We’re asking
people to make good decisions and take personal responsibility.”
Dep Comm Lanyon said ticketing free firework vantage points had helped to negate the need for people to crowd in and jostle for the best seat early on New Year’s Eve morning.
But he said police would be spread across the city making sure people were staying safe in all ways.
“We have sufficient police across the CBD and the state to make sure we can keep everyone safe who wishes to celebrate,” Dep Comm Lanyon said.
The end of 2021 can’t come soon enough for most Sydneysiders, and although there might be fewer of us out and about on Friday night, the famed Harbour fireworks will see off the year with a bang as big as ever.
New Year’s Eve revellers will be able to watch the fireworks in relative comfort this year, with police expecting a smaller than usual crowd of around 65,000 on the foreshore as Covid keeps people away from the city.
A strict cap on crowd numbers and a decline in overseas visitors means you won’t feel like you’re packing into a scrum to catch the firework shows at 9pm and midnight – but booking is essential for some vantage points.
And you’ll be in for a balmy night with no need for a brolly. Those waving in 2022 outside should enjoy a warm summer’s night, with a forecast high of 27C and temperatures holding in the low 20s until midnight.
While some businesses have shut up shop for New Year’s Eve amid concerns over unprecedented numbers of Covid cases, Deputy Premier Paul Toole said keeping doors open was part of learning to live with the virus.
“We know that it’s a challenging time, we know 2022 is going to throw challenges at us again … but we need to make sure that we learn to live with the virus,” Mr Toole said.
In a bonus for partygoers yet to make a decision on their New Year’s Eve plans, tickets remain available for some great vantage points to watch the 9pm and midnight fireworks shows.
While some tickets will cost hundreds of dollars, there’s plenty of great views for free at spots like Blues Point Reserve, Beare Park in Elizabeth Bay, Bradfield Park in Milsons Point, the Rose Bay foreshore and Dudley Page Reserve at Dover Heights. However, some of the free sites still require a ticket.
Other prime venues, like the Royal Botanic Garden, are charging $385, which includes a three-course meal, DJs and live music, while tickets for spots at Circular Quay and Campbell’s Cove start from as little as $10.
“There’s no other event that really showcases Sydney in the same way that New Year’s Eve does,” said City of Sydney executive producer Stephen Gilby.
But Mr Gilby advised: “If you don’t have a ticket, don’t come into the city because there just won’t be anywhere that’s publicly open, that you’ll be able to see the fireworks (from)”.
Transport for NSW has advised anyone attending the New Year’s Eve celebrations to leave the car at home and catch one of the thousands of extra public transport services running from 2pm.
Roads will be closed in Sydney’s north and the CBD from mid-afternoon, which could affect access to train stations, ferry wharves, light rail stops and buses.
“We’ve certainly planned for the ticketed number of 65,000 people and we certainly expect that a number of people will come into town in any event to attend restaurants and other gatherings,” Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
More than 5000 police will be out in force across the state in a high-visibility operation to ensure celebrations don’t get out of hand.
Punters are encouraged to stay away from the city unless they have a vantage point ticket or a reservation at a venue.
Seven-year-old Frankie Ostle and big sister Isla, 9, will be at home in Mascot, but are allowed to stay up late — although probably not until midnight.
“We’ll probably go to the local park with glow sticks and play a game of laser tag and then let the kids stay up a little late,” mum Kylie Ostle said.
“But then we’ll bring the clocks forward and pretend it’s midnight at nine o’clock and watch the fireworks from our balcony.”
It’s not just the city enjoying the fireworks, the suburbs are well catered for as well.
Liverpool Council has six different fireworks sites in Hammondville, Moorebank, Sadleir, Casula, Prestons and West Hoxton from 9pm, with early fireworks shows also being held in Parramatta, Coogee and the northern beaches.
PANDEMIC SINKS HARBOUR CRUISES
Sydney Harbour’s cruise industry is set to have one of its quietest New Year’s Eves, with dwindling ticket sales amid a decline in tourist numbers and a reluctance of locals to mingle with crowds.
Booking agent at Sydney Harbour Specialists Daniel D’Amico said he had rented only one charter boat out for the night, and a significant number of tickets to parties aboard nine New Year’s Eve cruise boats — which usually sell out a month in advance — were still available.
“In general, it is very slow, it is probably the worst year for New Year’s Eve ticketed cruises and also private charters,” he said of Omicron’s impact.
“It is because there are no tourists, the international market is 50 per cent of the bookings for New Year’s Eve, but locals are still unsure of what to do … It has been very tough.
“A majority of the boats are still available, but most other years they would all be booked out by the first of December.”
Captain Cook Cruises has halved the prices of one of its cruises on New Year’s Eve from $599 to $299.
General manager Nick Lester said low ticket sales were the latest blow for the local cruise industry after Sydney decided to effectively “lock itself down” amid the Omicron wave.
“The cruise industry is a big shadow of its former self, we’re in all sorts of pain,” he said.
“Captain Cook Cruises in 2018 had a fleet of 35 boats and now we’re a fleet of 17.
“On New Year’s Eve, we’ve traditionally sent out about 30 boats and this year we’re sending out just two.”
Mr Lester asserted that boats were likely to provide people a safer Covid space than most restaurants because the sea breeze on the harbour meant they were very well ventilated.
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