Sydney sky lights up with New Year’s Eve fireworks
Sydney’s sky and harbour lit up with a spectacular fireworks display last night after heavy rain initially threatened to put a dampener on New Year’s Eve celebrations. Here’s how yhe greatest city in the world rung in the New Year.
The Sydney sky lit up with a spectacular fireworks display after heavy rain threatened to put a dampener on New Year’s Eve celebrations last night.
True to form, the $5.9 million fireworks display highlighted the city’s sensational Harbour Bridge, Opera House and CBD.
The Bureau of Meteorology yesterday issued a severe thunderstorm warning with damaging winds for parts of Sydney as people prepared to welcome the New Year - but the rain eased just in time for the spectacular display.
Heavy rain hit thousands of revellers who converged on the harbour for the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The huge downpour began just after 7pm and people resorted to using blankets or clothes to try and protect themselves if they didn’t have umbrellas.
Some people even got creative and used bin lids to try and avoid getting wet.
The rain eased but just after 8pm it returned as hundreds tried to take cover at The Rocks.
For Ahmad Bismilla this is his second time unlucky with the severe rain during New Year’s Eve.
“Last year I was in Singapore and it belted rain like this,” he said.
“Today I was going to pack a raincoat but decided not to and now I regret it … it’s pouring rain and I am soaked.”
The wet weather caused issues with trains in Sydney.
A spokesman from Transport NSW said urgent signal equipment were needed at Central because of the thunderstorms.
“Due to urgent signal equipment repairs required at Central caused by severe weather the T1 North Shore, Northern and Western line, T2 Inner West and Leppington line, the T3 Bankstown line and the T8 Airport and South line there are some delays,” he said.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS
Queues stretched for kilometres as partygoers struggled to gain entry to the popular vantage point of Mrs Macquarie’s Chair last night.
Eager tourists could be seen checking their maps around the Sydney Opera House, vying for the best view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
At Bradfield Park on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, families were busy setting up their picnic areas for the night ahead.
Jenny Steele, 35, said that she and her daughters Evie, 3, and Michaela, 5, had been there since 8.30am.
“The girls can’t wait to see the 9 o’clock fireworks,” she said.
“I think the midnight ones might be a bit too late for them.”
But high school friends Amber Barney, 17, and Jamie Caldercott, 19, were scared they’d miss their chance to score a spot.
“We missed our train and our friends are already in there,” Ms Caldercott said.
For Bendetta Turetta who has been waiting at Observatory Hill since 2pm today this will be her first time seeing the Sydney fireworks take place.
“I am on a holiday from Italy and am so excited to see the fireworks on the Harbour Bridge with my friends, I know they will be beautiful,” Bendetta said.
“Milan and Rome have fireworks, but nothing will compare to Sydney.”
French student Maree Geneste said Sydney was known for putting on spectacular fireworks show and one that sets the international standard.
“This is my first time and the quality of Sydney’s fireworks is high and everyone in the world knows it is the best place to be for New Year,” Maree said.
“Paris is all right, but this is where everyone who is lucky enough to see it should be.”
For high school student Faith Gwingutuwai seeing the fireworks live by the Harbour and not on television was a moment to remember.
“Ever since I can remember I’ve watched Sydney’s fireworks on the television,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“My family and friends decided to come out and watch it altogether and the excitement and atmosphere is so unique.”
Natasha Elliot decided to swap her local Parramatta fireworks for something on a much bigger scale.
“I’m so used to heading out to the local fireworks show but witnessing the Sydney fireworks at a larger and international scale is a privilege,” Natasha said.
“The New Year spirit is definitely here, I can feel it.”
There is a heavy security and police presence at a number of spots.
A rainbow of tents lined the foreshore of Bradfield Park, with many fireworks fans staking their claim to the best spots last night.
Security guards told The Daily Telegraph that they were expecting bumper crowds this evening.
Three security guards were seen patrolling the bottle shop at Milsons Point, ensuring that revellers enjoyed a safe welcome to 2019.
Sydney’s most dedicated fireworks fans spent the night camped out in Sydney’s Domain, hoping to score the best spots for tonight’s celebrations.
Caroline Pustinova wanted to make sure she was here to see the famous Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks during her six-month visit from Germany.
Ms Pustinova and her friends were up bright and early to secure a good spot for prime harbourside viewing of the evening’s festivities.
“We are staying here at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the evening, and we want to see the fireworks, we got here at 6am to make sure, it was quite hard to get up so early!”
Travelling as part of a large group of 15, some of Ms Pustinova’s friends slept there overnight to get a good position before many others.
“It’s crazy that some of them slept here but think it will be worth it. We packed a lot of food, and my friends are great company which helps makes the heat more manageable.
“I am super excited to see the fireworks, I wanted to make sure I was here in Sydney for Christmas and the New Year,” she said.
Hundreds of Sydneysiders could be seen pitching tents and rolling out sleeping bags outside the Art Gallery of NSW last night in an attempt to beat the New Year’s Eve crowds at one of the best vantage points across Sydney — Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Despite the muggy midsummer’s heat, prospective revellers were all smiles ahead of tonight’s fireworks display.
A few people who arrived this morning were spotting running with some camping out gear in a bid to snag one of the prime spots at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Many could be seen relaxing in camp chairs and on picnic rugs, chatting happily among each other and giving the thumbs-up to the camera.
Open backpacks full of snacks and drinks could littered the site as campers hunkered down to secure prime position for the dazzling display.
One ingenious Sydneysider was even able to string up a hammock between two palm trees, guaranteeing themselves a comfortable sleep before tonight’s big celebrations.
More than one million people are expected to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour this year.
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