All the action and drama of New Year’s Eve in Melbourne and around Victoria
Melburnians have welcomed 2023 with a bang, with almost half a million revellers flooding the CBD for the fireworks display.
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Melburnians have welcomed 2023 with a wild and colourful night of partying until sunrise on New Year’s Day.
Crowds turned out in huge numbers to ring in the New Year as almost half a million revellers flooded the city and thousands of others celebrated along the state’s coast and inland.
Flinders Street Station in Melbourne’s CBD was packed at 5am on New Year’s morning with people travelling home after ringing in the new year.
Revellers flocked to the city from 8pm on Saturday and many stayed the whole night, welcoming in the new year after two years of restricted celebrations.
A large police presence was visible at the station and in Flinders Lane and Elizabeth St.
St Kilda Beach drew a big crowd who danced and sang as they awaited the first sunrise of the year.
Several people slept on the beach waiting for 2023 to begin.
Kevin Renza from Port Melbourne came out with his friends — Simon Herrera and Miguel Ferrero at 8pm and partied all night before jumping into the water on St Kilda Beach on a dare.
Hospitality workers Natalia Gomez, Luis Reyes, Hamish Stewart, Catalina Franck and Josefina Brown, who all worked till 2am, danced until 4am for sunrise.
On Saturday night, crowds packed into Melbourne’s CBD for the midnight fireworks as the city skyline erupted into a dazzling blaze of colour.
Federation Square, Southbank Promenade and Princes Bridge were filled with partygoers as they watched the eight-minute-long extravaganza in awe.
The City of Melbourne estimated a crowd of 475,000 people watched the fireworks in the city.
Sisters Fabia and Bella Alina thought the fireworks were “fantastic”.
“We came to Melbourne from Perth for New Year’s,” Fabia said.
“The energy is through the roof and to top it off the fireworks were amazing.”
After the show ended, the city streets were brought to a standstill, as tens of thousands of people headed to Flinders Street Station and traffic jams clogged city car parks.
The City of Melbourne and the state government spent almost $4m on the annual festivities, and the CBD came alive with no Covid restrictions for the first time since 2019.
More than 50 entertainers performed live across four, family-friendly celebration zones at Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Kings Domain and Treasury Gardens.
Each celebration zone had a 9.30pm display of fireworks.
The midnight fireworks were set off from 30 buildings – eight more than in previous years.
But viewers lined up along the Yarra were met with disappointment with the 9.30pm fireworks only visible from the eastern parts of the city, near parliament.
Melburnian Oliver Chu said the early display was “pathetic”.
“We lined up for so long to get a spot to watch the fireworks – we thought they would be directly in the CBD,” he said.
Mother-of-three Veronica Grant said she thought the display was “a bit disappointing”.
“I brought my kids here to see the fireworks tonight and I’m glad I did – but they were just smaller than I thought,” Ms Grant said.
Thousands had gathered on the bridges crossing the Yarra, with the Evan Walker Bridge packed almost too tightly to move.
Revellers danced the night away with front row seats to Melbourne’s incredible fireworks display at Marvel Stadium’s exclusive event.
The offers started from the free event in the Victory Room, welcoming city dwellers into the precinct to enjoy the spoils on offer.
Partygoers had access to the external balcony for fireworks, epic pop-up bars and live entertainment from Sweet Mix Kids and DJ Lasiah.
There was also a ticketed cocktail party on the Terrace, which included roaming canapes and drinks from $220 per person.
Attendee Jemma Seal said she was happy to kick off the New Year with a bang.
“I’ll be on the Terrace Balcony enjoying the fireworks from the best view in Melbourne,” she said.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she was delighted with the record turnout and the crowd behaviour across the city centre.
“This was the New Year’s Eve that Victoria, Melbourne has been waiting for.
“It was an evening with no restrictions. And that sense of unbridled exuberance around the city was palpable. ‘’
The council counters put the crowd at 475,000 to 80,000 more than last year.
“People came in to enjoy themselves to have that sense of community to celebrate with families and friends,’’ Cr Capp said.
“Apart from some minor isolated incidents it was an incredibly safe, welcoming and warm evening where people really could just relax and enjoy themselves.’’
More than 20,000 fireworks rockets were fired from 30 CBD rooftops.
Cr Capp said the council debrief of the night would look at pedestrian flows and any bottlenecks.
“I do think this year was a real improvement around those high-density areas such as Princes Bridge, Federation Square, Flinders Street Station.
“I was in that area so that I could participate in this new system of using different channels depending on where you wanted to get to.’’
New year brings new life
One of the first babies to be born in Melbourne in 2023, little Ruby Lewis arrived at 12.41am on New Year’s day at Mercy Women’s Hospital.
Ruby’s parents, Holly Syevers and Will Lewis, had an exciting night as they drove for half an hour from Mooroolbark while Ms Syevers was in active labor.
“I did not want to alarm (Will) at the moment, but I was worried if we would make it to the hospital in time,” said Ms Syevers.
“She was due on 29th of December, but she waited it out for a few days,” Ruby’s mother said.
“When we got to the hospital, the midwife said she would be here before 2023, but (Ruby) waited a bit again and was born in 2023.
Will Lewis, Ruby’s father, said they were racing to set up their new house they moved into last week, when the labour started.
Baby Ruby had her grandmother with her when she was born and had her other grandparents waiting eagerly to meet her on New Year’s morning.
“Ruby also has a cousin who was born on Christmas, we have big celebrations coming up for Christmas and New Year’s from now on,” said Mr Lewis.
Midwife Erin Jackson helped deliver Ruby and said Ms Syevers was “an absolute superstar”.
“She dealt with the initial labour at home and came in fully ready to give birth, she was amazing, and on a very busy night, too,” Ms Jackson praised.
“On a usual night, we get three to four deliveries which come down in number over the holidays because we do not induce.
“Last night there were seven babies born after 12am, with four baby girls being born in one hour,” she said.
“We were not expecting the rush, at all, but it was a happy one.”
Party continues on New Year’s Day
From the Love Island villa in Spain to the Sea Baths in St Kilda, Layla John has covered a lot of ground in 2022.
John and model Tess Shanahan will be among hundreds of Melburnians starting 2023 at the Summer Summer New Year’s Day party at the spectacular St Kilda Sea Baths beachfront venue, which encompasses The Rooftop at the Sea Baths, Republica and Captain Baxter.
Nick Russian from Bar Bambi and Together Events, Vinny Diaco and Rody Yohana from
LiveOneDay Events and Marty John from Together Events are behind the Summer Summer NYD party which kicks off at 1pm on Sunday.
“We are looking forward to bringing another exciting event back to Melbourne as the world normalises,” Russian said.
“It will be the first time in 15 years that an event will showcase entertainment across all levels of the Sea Baths complex, so it will no doubt be our best event yet.”
Authorities were out in force, with an additional 2500 police rostered on the New Year’s beat from departments including public order response, mounted branch, water police and air wing.
They worked alongside about 2000 other police from stations across the state.
Monika Drum, 25, said she enjoyed spending the afternoon of New Year’s Eve at Warrandyte River Reserve.
“I’m enjoying a picnic and relaxing with my friends, it’s a very chill day and I like to keep things relaxed,” Ms Drum said.
“It’s great to just have a picnic and be in good company.”
Her friend, Connor Pinnington, 25, who was also enjoying a picnic in Warrandyte, said he was looking forward to achieving many of his goals in 2023.
“We have nature and the river and it’s a perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve.
“2022 was uncomfortable but it was good overall and I’m really looking forward to hitting daily habits 2023.”
The first day of 2023 will be a scorcher, with the mercury expected to hit 34C.
Crowds of people were seen soaking up the last sun of the year at St Kilda Beach, with many strolling along the foreshore.
Adam Grisdale and Rebecca Maher, who were cooling off in the water, said they enjoyed spending their afternoon at St Kilda Beach.
“We’re going to have a couple of drinks and watch the fireworks later, it’s going to be a great night,” Mr Grisdale said.
Ms Maher said 2022 was a “great year” and she was looking forward to the coming year.
“We finally got to travel home in 2022 to see our families in England, it was great to see everyone after a long time due to Covid,” she said.
Sophia Cotter, 24, who was also enjoying a swim at St Kilda beach, said she and her friends were out “getting a tan” for coming music festivals.
“We’re all going to music festivals and events tomorrow, so tonight’s going to be a chill night but we’re all really excited to travel in 2023,” Ms Cotter said.
The Gill family flocked to the city to celebrate the new year and watch the spectacular fireworks.
“We came down to Melbourne from New Zealand to celebrate New Year’s Eve and visit family,” mother of two Mel Gill said.
“We saw Hamilton today and have come out for a feed and some drinks.
“We’ll hang around the city to see some fireworks and welcome the New Year in.”
The Pavez family spent the evening along the Yarra soaking up the sunshine and enjoying a picnic.
“We’re going to have a picnic along the Yarra and watch the fireworks at midnight,” Angeles Landaida said.
“We brought lots of delicious food and drinks to get us through the night.”
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