How councils are celebrating New Year’s Eve and how much they are spending
Wondering when, where and how to celebrate the new year in style? We've got your comprehensive guide to Victoria's fireworks displays.
West
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The City of Melbourne will spend almost a quarter of its 2022 New Year’s Eve budget again in an effort to bring in the new year in style.
The Town Hall has confirmed to the Herald Sun it has budgeted $4.9m on celebrations for this year’s event, which includes a fireworks and laser lights show, live music, food trucks, and “glittery projections”.
Half a million people are expected to come into the city on New Year’s Eve and some of the budget is dedicated to safety measures.
Each celebration zone will boast a 9.30pm display of fireworks, followed by the midnight spectacular, where fireworks will be set off from 27 buildings — three fewer than the previous year.
The 2022 crowds poured more than $18.7m into the Melbourne economy on New Year’s Eve and it is hoped similar numbers will be achieved this year.
The council spent $4m on the 2022 celebrations.
KEY NEW YEAR'S EVE FAQs ANSWERED
Where are the Melbourne New Year's Eve fireworks?
There are multiple celebration zones this year, including at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Kings Domain and Treasury Gardens.
What time does the fireworks display start?
The early fireworks start at 9.30pm.
There will also be a late midnight fireworks display.
What's the best way to travel?
Public transport is free after 6pm on New Year's Eve.
Road Closures
Pedestrians should note:
- From 7pm
- The Elizabeth St underpass will be accessible by train patrons only, with all attendees exiting onto Elizabeth St.
- Northbank, Southbank Pedestrian Bridge and Sandridge Bridge will be closed to the public on the night.
- From 10.30pm
- Closures and detours will be in place between Russell St and Elizabeth St and Collins St and Linlithgow Ave.
For motorists, the following roads are closed:
- From midnight December 29 to 8pm January 1
- Birdwood Avenue (between Government House Drive and Dallas Brooks Drive)
- From 6pm December 29 to 1am January 1
- North Wharf Drive
- From noon December 31 to 8pm January 1
- Boathouse Drive
- From 4pm December 31 to 3am January 1
- Elizabeth St tram shunt closure (between Little Lonsdale and Lonsdale streets)
- From 5pm December 31 to 3am January 1
- Swanston St / St Kilda Rd (between Lonsdale St and Southbank Blvd/Linlithgow Ave)
- Flinders St (between William and Spring streets)
- Collins St (between Elizabeth and Russell streets)
- Flinders Lane (between Elizabeth and Russell streets)
- Russell St (between Collins and Flinders streets)
- Exhibition St (between Collins and Flinders streets)
- Elizabeth St (between Collins and Flinders streets)
- Wellington Parade South (Closed at Flinders Street. Soft closure at Jolimont Rd to provide access to local traffic only)
- Batman Avenue (between Flinders and Swan streets)
- La Trobe St (between Harbour Esplanade and Spencer Street)
- Harbour Esplanade (between Docklands Drive/Dudley Street and Bourke Street)
- Docklands Dr eastbound (course implemented at Pearl River Road)
- Linlithgow Ave (between Alexander Ave and Government House Drive)
- From 9.30pm December 31 to 2am January 1
- Queens Bridge Street (between Flinders Street and Whiteman Street/Power Street)
Tow away zones
- From 11.59pm December 28 to 3am January 1
- Boathouse Drive
- From 11.59pm December 28 to 8pm January 1
- Birdwood Avenue (between Government House Drive and The Legacy Garden of Appreciation)
- From 11.59pm December 30 to 3am January 1
- Flinders St (between Spring and William streets)
- Flinders Lane (between Russel and Elizabeth streets)
- Collins St (between Russel and Elizabeth streets)
- Elizabeth St (between Collins and Flinders streets)
- Elizabeth St (between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets)
- Swanston St (between Little Collins St and Princes Bridge)
- Princes Bridge
- St Kilda Rd (between Princes Bridge and Linlithgow Street)
- Batman Avenue (between Flinders and Swan streets)
- Alexandra Avenue (between Princes Bridge and Swan Street Bridge)
- Harbour Esplanade (between Bourke Street and New Quay Promenade)
- Linlithgow Avenue (between Southbank Boulevard and Government House Drive)
Public transport hours
On New Year’s Eve all train, bus and tram services will run to a normal Sunday timetable, with additional train services running between 6pm and 10pm.
- Southern Cross and Flinders Street train stations will be open all night, while City Loop stations close at 11.45pm.
- Trams will run to a holiday timetable with the City Circle running up to 4pm only.
- V/Line train and road coach services will run to a normal Sunday timetable.
- On January 1, trains and trams will run to a public holiday timetable.
Best locations to view the fireworks
If you can see the city skyline, you'll see the midnight fireworks.
How to watch from home
Tune into Channel 9 from 11pm, Sunday 31 December to see the very best bits of the city’s New Year’s Eve live celebrations and festivities.
City Activation portfolio lead Roshena Campbell said New Year’s Eve was “Melbourne’s time to shine – with half a million of revellers expected to fill our streets and support city businesses”.
“We’re setting the tone for the evening with our ‘All that sparkles’ theme. For the first time we’re lighting up Town Hall and the State Library with glittering projections, extending the New Year’s Eve festivities all the way down Swanston St,” Mayor Sally Capp said.
NYE weather in Melbourne
Victorians can expect dry and cool conditions this New Year’s Eve, with clear skies allowing for optimal firework viewing.
Outside of the state’s capital, only five other councils indicated they were spending money on the celebration.
Maribyrnong is the biggest spending council behind Melbourne budgeting $225,000 for New Year’s Eve celebrations which includes a 9.30pm fireworks show as well as live entertainment at Footscray Park.
Moyne Council have given $8000 in funding to the Moyneyana Festival in Port Fairy.
The festival is run by a volunteer committee and runs events on New Year’s Eve and across the holiday period.
Geelong council are investing in two fireworks displays over Corio Bay one at 9.30 and one at midnight which is expected to cost $50,000.
Frankston City Council has provided funding to the Lucky Day Out festival which is a music festival with many acts.
The festival got funding through the council’s Destination Event Attraction Program, which has a total pool of $250,000 however, it told the Herald Sun it could not disclose how much the festival was given out of the total funding pool.
Outside of Melbourne
Other councils leave New Year’s Eve celebrations to individual community groups to run and don’t financially contribute.
In Queenscliff the Harbour is running a fireworks display at 9.30pm and one at midnight. There will also be live music and a circus performer.
In Merribek there is the Sun Cycle festival which will be held at the Coburg Velodrome on New Year’s Day if you’re looking to keep the party going after evening celebrations.
And in Port Phillip you can spend New Year’s Eve at the St Kilda Esplanade Market which is a haven for arts and crafts stalls.
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