How South Australians celebrated the first day of 2023

Cars cramming on beaches, people lapping up the sun and even giving birth to SA’s first bub of 2023 were some of the ways South Aussies kicked off the new year.

Thousands of cars lined our drive-on beaches on New Years day 2023. Picture: Tom Huntley

South Australians flocked to beaches and slapped snags on the barbecue in wonderfully warm weather to celebrate the first day of the new year.

Our beaches were packed to the brim with people enjoying a sunny 36C start to the new year.

Cars crammed onto the sands of Sellicks and Aldinga Beaches as people camped out for the day in the sun and surf.

Mega gallery: South Australia welcomes a new year in style

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Bella McRae and Remy Matters starting the year right on Sellicks Beach. Picture: Tom Huntley

Maria Nascimento from Alice Springs with granddaughter Nylah Jong, 8, having fun at Sellicks Beach. Picture: Tom Huntley

Thousands of cars line Sellicks and Aldinga Beach on New Years day 2023. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mega gallery: South Australia welcomes a new year in style

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But some South Aussies started their new year cleaning up from the festivities of the night before.

Clean-up crews did a stellar job of speedily removing rubbish left behind at popular celebration sites such as Glenelg so early risers on Sunday morning could enjoy the state’s scenery.

At beaches across the state, the sand was combed clean of drink bottles and other refuse.

At Glenelg the very efficient clean-up after New Year’s Eve celebrations, leaving little evidence of the previous night’s massive crowd. Picture: Dean Martin

The state emergency services issued a heatwave warning across several parts of the state.

The Flinders, Mid North, North West Pastoral and Riverland districts were all issued with low intensity heatwave forecasts.

People in the North East Pastoral District were issued with a severe heatwave warning.

Monday is set to be hot again with 29C forecast, before dropping to 25C on Tuesday.

It should be back in the 30s by Friday though.

Lachlan Fettke 13, and his brother Jacob, 10, from Marion try to keep cool in the traditional Australian way with a sprinkler in the backyard. Picture: Brenton Edwards

SA’S FIRST BABY OF 2023

The first baby to be born at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 2023 was born at 1.14am.

Welcome to the world Mabel Brooke Olive Lewis!

Hello Mabel Brooke Olive Lewis. Picture: Dean Martin

Carly and David Lewis of Croydon Park with Mabel. Picture: Dean Martin

“It’s something we were aiming for, it’s just funny how it all worked out,” said stoked dad David Lewis.

Proud parents Carly and David Lewis from Croydon Park have described their new additional to the family as “just magic”.

Mabel is the third to join the couple’s girl pack with big sisters Laila, aged 5, and Emersyn, aged 2.

“It’s just wonderful, this is our third little girl to our family so it is very, very special.” Ms Lewis said.

First 2023 baby born at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 2023. Picture: Dean Martin

But not everyone was well-behaved with five drivers busted drink driving.

Assistant Commissioner Scott Duvall said police had conducted over 5,600 driving tests and of those, 35 people tested positive to alcohol and 11 tested positive to drugs.

Originally published as How South Australians celebrated the first day of 2023