By Riley Walter and Anthony Segaert
Viewing sections around Sydney Harbour were full or almost full by mid-morning as revellers flowed into the city to celebrate the new year.
By 10.30am, Blues Point, in North Sydney, was already at capacity. The Opera House Steps, Bennelong Lawn and Mrs Macquaries Point were all approaching capacity, each with long lines of people waiting to pass security.
New Year’s Eve fireworks will go ahead despite earlier fears of cancellation due to train strikes.Credit: Janie Barrett
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said people attending the harbour should begin their new year by being “patient and relaxed” as they left the CBD, warning that public transport services will be altered to cope with the crowds.
“There’ll be plenty of transport and it’s a walking night, be ready. I’m sure people have walkable shoes, so it’s just about being patient, sensible and happy.
“It’s often a long hot day before the main event. You can see all the crowds behind me have already arrived. I can see they’ve got their water, I hope they’re going to get their hats.”
Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore at Tuesday’s press conference.Credit: Rhett Wyman / SMH
But with fears of a train strike and the threat of the fireworks being called off put to bed, more than 1 million revellers spent Tuesday morning gathering at 50 front-row vantage points across the harbour city, one of the first in the world to hit midnight, to cheer in 2025.
With that in mind, The Sydney Morning Herald has compiled a guide to put you in the box seat when the countdown ends.
Where you can watch the fireworks
At 9pm, the first of Sydney’s two fireworks shows will light up the harbour when the Calling Country display created by Indigenous group We Are Warriors erupts as a celebration of land, sea and sky, with projections of Aboriginal fisherwoman Barangaroo stretching across the bridge.
Crowds gather at Mrs Macquarie’s Point.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone
Three hours later, the New Year will be welcomed by a 12-minute display blasting 53,500 fireworks across the city to a soundtrack created by Australian screen composer Luna Pan. Fireworks will be set off from four sails of the Opera House and five city skyscrapers, and for the first time, will exploding from drones midair, as well as displays from the western side of the Harbour Bridge.
The best viewing spots across Sydney Harbour will be crammed full of revellers, some of whom will have staked their claim on an appealing patch of lawn well before the clock strikes 12.
While some of the city’s most popular locations, including many of the harbour’s island and exclusive beaches, have sold out, there is ample waterside real estate to squeeze into and enjoy the show free of charge.
“Our crews are very busy at the moment, setting up a dazzling display to light up the sky this New Year’s Eve, with fireworks launching from pontoons, from buildings, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge – across a massive seven-kilometre span of Sydney Harbour,” City of Sydney executive producer Stephen Gilby said this week.
Vantage points will open from 9am to 5pm, with some allowing BYO alcohol. Drinking is prohibited in others including at The Rocks, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour. Once you’ve left a vantage point, you cannot re-enter, so pack for the evening.
Getting around Sydney
With many of Sydney’s major roads closed throughout New Year’s Eve celebrations, public transport will run non-stop for 46 hours, thanks to thousands of extra train, bus and light rail services.
Trains will not stop at Circular Quay from 3pm on Tuesday, while buses and light rail services to Circular Quay will stop at 2pm. The last ferries will arrive at about 5.30pm.
Buses will end trips at Martin Place, while light rail services will end trips at Town Hall. The Barangaroo Metro station will be closed at 5pm and reopen at 11.45pm. See the changes to public transport here.
Nine tonnes of fireworks will light up Sydney’s sky on New Year’s Eve.Credit: Steven Siewert
The Cahill Expressway will be completely closed from 6am on Tuesday, with most roads in Sydney’s CBD closed by 7pm.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be completely closed from 11pm Tuesday to 1.30am on New Year’s Day. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Anzac Bridge will remain open. See the full list of road closures here.
What weather you can expect
While there is a slight chance of rain or a thunderstorm in the early afternoon and evening, Sydneysiders can expect clear skies and 22 degrees at midnight after a maximum of 28 degrees.
Light 15km/h to 20km/h winds becoming easterly in the middle of the day will become lighter in the evening, paving the way for perfect weather into the New Year.
New Year’s Day is set to be a perfect summer day with a forecast top of 30 degrees in Sydney. The city’s west will be a little hotter, with an expected top of 34 degrees.
How to join in the NYE fun from home
For those ringing in the New Year from the couch, the ABC’s live coverage kicks off at 8.30pm and NYE24 hosts Charlie Pickering, Zan Rowe and Concetta Caristo will take viewers through to after midnight from the Sydney Opera House’s Northern Boardwalk.
From 9.10pm, viewers will have a front-row seat to the New Year’s Eve concert, featuring former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey’s supergroup, Fanning Dempsey National Park, and singer-songwriter Casey Donovan, who performed at the 2023 event.
What else is on?
If fireworks aren’t for you, Sydney’s harbourside restaurants, bars and pubs will be buzzing with New Year cheer.
Harbourside, punters can choose from fine-dining packages, or a laid-back night at one of the many pubs or bars open for business. But beware, many are hosting ticketed events.
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.