New Year's Eve Fireworks Australia 2024: Top Secret Places

 

New Year's Eve fireworks are a beloved tradition that draws crowds to ring with a striking display of lights and colour in the new year.

 

Like in other countries, New Year's Eve fireworks are very popular in Australia and tend to fill with people quickly. Most like to host parties at home or visit free/ticketed events to watch the brilliant fireworks displays across the country.

 

Are you keen to check out Australia's fireworks scene? Read this blog to explore Australia's best and top-secret places to celebrate and watch New Year's Eve 2024 fireworks.

 

 

1. Where Is The Best Place In Australia For New Year's Eve?

 

If you are wondering what city has the best New Year's fireworks in Australia, Sydney is known to have one of the most famous fireworks display shows worldwide, with more than a million people gathering around the Sydney harbour to watch the event.

 

The city has a long history of NYE firework display, with the first official fireworks display performed in 1966. Since then, the show has grown and has become a highly awaited event in the city.

 

Sydney is well-known for its world-famous fireworks, harbour cruises, exclusive island parties, and rooftop bars with spectacular views, making it the best place globally to welcome the New Year.

 

As the clock winds down in December, the ambience in the city becomes electric. Initiating from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, "Midnight Moment" is the most awaited moment by spectators.

 

The fireworks display launches at midnight with a range of special pyrotechnic effects, including crossettes, comets, and mines, to mark the start of the new year.

 

Besides the main fireworks display, several other events and entertainment activities occur on New Year's Eve in Sydney. Live music, concerts, food stalls, etc., are some of them. People prefer watching the fireworks from the boats that line the harbour, serving as a unique vantage point for the show.

 

If you want to know where is the famous fireworks display held in Australia, then Sydney is undoubtedly the best spot to catch the live NYE action.

 

 

2. What Is The Best Place To Watch The Fireworks In Sydney?

 

There is no one place but several places worth considering if you plan to attend the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks.

 

The best place to watch the world-famous New Year's fireworks in Sydney include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Dawes Point.

 

Two firework displays are held over the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge (one at 9 pm and one at midnight). Birchgrove Park, Darling Harbour, and Blues Point are the favourite vantage points around Sydney that offer free entry to the event.

 

 

3. Do You Need Tickets For Sydney Fireworks?

 

Some locations require buying tickets; you can queue for others on the day. Though multiple spots allow you to watch the event for free, the best viewing spots always involve ticketed events.

 

A restaurant with stellar views of the Harbour Bridge or a boat trip ticket to New Year's Eve Sydney events is the perfect way to get the authentic feel of the occasion.

 

So, how much do NYE Sydney fireworks cost? Here are our picks for the best event locations and Sydney fireworks ticket prices.

 

 

1. Barangaroo Reserve

 

• Ticket Price - $57.10.

• You can drink here - No BYO.

• Opening time - 5 pm.

 

 

2. Botanic Garden: Garden Party at The Calyx

 

• Ticket price - $595.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 7.30 pm.

 

 

2. Botanic Garden: Bridgeview

 

• Ticket price - $385 + booking fee.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 6 pm.

 

 

3. Bradleys Head: Athol Lawn

 

• Ticket price - between $24 and $ 41.

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time – 3 pm.

 

 

4. Botanic Garden: Lawn with the View

 

• Ticket price - $370 + booking fee.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 7 pm.

 

 

5. Botanic Garden: The Point

 

• Ticket price - $520 + booking fee.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 5.30 pm.

 

 

6. Botanic Garden: Midnight at The Oasis

 

• Ticket price - $475 + booking fee.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 6.30 pm.

 

 

7. Botanic Garden: Foundation & Friends NYE Picnic

 

• Ticket price - between $30 and $190.

• Alcohol is allowed (including BYO).

• Opening time - 5 pm.

 

 

8. Bradleys Head: Mast Precinct

 

• Ticket price - between $30 and $57.

• Alcohol banned - no BYO.

• Opening time - 3 pm.

 

 

9. Botanic Garden: Mrs Macquaries Point

 

• Ticket price – between $20 and $160 + booking fee.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 3 pm.

 

 

10. Bradleys Head: Amphitheatre

 

• Ticket price – between $46 and $89.

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time – 3 pm.

 

 

11. Clark Island

 

• Ticket price - between $204 and $286.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 6 pm.

 

 

12. Campbells Cove

 

• Ticket price  - between $20 and $40.

• Alcohol banned - no BYO.

• Opening time - 4 pm.

 

 

13. Cockatoo Island

 

• Ticket price - from $550 onwards (Bring your tent) 

• You can drink here - No BYO.

• Opening time - 9 am.

 

 

14. Dudley Page Reserve

 

• Ticket price – between $25 and $50 + booking fee.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time – 6 pm.

 

 

15. Goat Island

 

• Ticket price - between $153 and $228.

• You can drink here.

• Opening time - 7.30 pm.

 

 

16. Hickson Rd Reserve

 

• Ticket price – between $37.50 and $75.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time – 5 pm.

 

 

17. Shark Island

 

• Ticket price – between $186 and $260.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 6.15 pm.

 

 

18. Strickland Estate

 

• Ticket price - between $26 and $44. 

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 5.30 pm.

 

 

19. Taronga Zoo

 

• Ticket price - from $210 onwards.

• You can drink here - no BYO.

• Opening time - 6 pm.

 

 

20. West Circular Quay

 

• Ticket price – between $12.50 and $25.

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time – 4 pm.

 

 

21. Mrs Macquarie's Point

 

• Ticket price – from $30 onwards

• Opening time – 3 pm.

 

 

22. Strickland House

 

• Ticket price – $38.33

• You can BYO drinks and nibbles

• Opening time – 5.30 pm

 

 

23. The Amphitheatre

 

• Ticket price - between $46 and $89

• The Mast Precinct

• Ticket price – between $30 and $57

• Alcohol is prohibited, and No BYO

• Opening time – 3 pm

 

 

24. Pier One Hotel

 

Ticket price - from $849 onwards

 

 

25. Portside at Sydney Opera House

 

• Ticket price - between $850 to $995 

• Alcohol is prohibited.

• Opening time – 7 pm.

 

 

26. Sydney Park

 

• Sydney New year fireworks tickets price - from $119 + fees

• Alcohol is permitted.

• Opening time – 4 pm.

 

 

Where Can I Watch Sydney Fireworks For Free?

 

You do not necessarily have to buy tickets to enjoy NYE fireworks. Some of the free places to watch fireworks in Sydney are:

 

 

1. Darling Harbour

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time - 1 pm.

 

 

2. Dawes Point (Tar-Ra) Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time - 1 pm.

 

 

3. Duff Reserve

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time – midnight.

 

 

4. Dumaresq Reserve

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time - 3 pm

 

 

5. East Circular Quay

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time - 9 am.

 

 

6. Elkington Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time - 8 am.

 

 

7. Embarkation Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

• Opening time - 5 pm.

 

 

8. Giba Park

 

• You can drink here.

• Opening time – 4 pm.

 

 

9. Illoura Reserve

 

Alcohol prohibited - no BYO.

Opening time – 8 am.

 

 

10. Lavender Bay Parklands

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 5 pm.

 

 

11. Lookes Avenue Reserve

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 8 am.

 

 

12. Manly Cove

 

Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

Opening time – 5 pm.

 

 

13. McKell Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – midnight.

 

 

14. Mort Bay Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 8 am.

 

 

15. Murray Rose Pool & Blackburn Gardens

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 3 pm.

 

 

16. North Head

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time - 5.30 pm.

 

 

17. Observatory Hill Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time - 5 pm.

 

 

18. Pirrama Park

 

• You can drink here.

• Opening time – 4 pm.

 

 

19. Pyrmont Bay Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – midnight.

 

 

20. Rose Bay Foreshore

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 3 pm.

 

 

21. Simmons Point

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 10 am.

 

 

22. Sydney Opera House

 

• You can drink here—no BYO.

• Opening time - 7.30 am.

 

 

23. The Rocks

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 1 pm.

 

 

24. Thornton Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time - 3.30 pm.

 

 

25. Yarranabbe Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited - No BYO.

• Opening time – 3 pm.

 

 

26. Yurulbin Park

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 8 am.

 

 

27. Blues Point Reserve (Though it is a ticketed area, free tickets will be available to book from 1 November 2023)

 

• Alcohol is prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 5 pm.

 

 

28. Birchgrove Park

 

Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

Opening time – 8 am.

 

 

29. Blues Point

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time – 5 pm.

 

 

30. Bradfield Park & Mary Booth Reserve

 

• Alcohol prohibited. No BYO.

• Opening time - 5 pm.

 

 

What Are The Best Restaurants In Sydney With Harbour Views?

 

The following are Sydney's top fine-dining restaurant's rooftop or waterfront restaurants offering splendid views of the firework display. All of them allow NYE bookings.

 

 

1. Harbourfront Seafood Restaurant

 

Ticket price - $285 per adult, and $200 per teenager (12-17yrs) (Includes a four-course all-inclusive menu and the view of the iconic Wollongong Harbour.

 

 

2. City Extra

 

• Ticket price - $550 (Includes a four-course meal, live band, dance floor, and one of Sydney's best fireworks vantage points).

• Entry time - from 7 pm until 1 am

 

 

3. Tayim Restaurant and Bar

 

The Diamond New Year's Eve in Sydney packages run from $50 to $599. Enjoy a four-course meal with exclusive access to the rooftop terrace for the fireworks display.

 

 

4. Bennelong (Inside the Opera House)

 

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience watching incomparable New Year's Eve views at Bennelong.

 

Ticket price - $1,900 per person in the dining hall and $1,700 per person at the bar (a four-course menu, wine pairings, and champagne at arrival and midnight)

 

 

5. Opera Kitchen

 

Ticket price - $385 + booking fee. (Includes Enjoy live entertainment and canapes from 5 pm.)

 

 

6. Aria

 

• The restaurant hosts both early and late sittings for NYE. 

• Ticket price - $300, includes a three-course menu at 5 pm and harbourfront views for the fireworks and $1,650 – consists of a six-course tasting menu, with champagne on entry and at midnight, and front seats to watch the fireworks through the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows.

 

 

7. Opera Bar

 

Ticket price - $495 + a booking fee (Includes front-row access to Sydney's fireworks and nonstop live music on the vast festival stage).

 

 

8. Quay

 

Ticket price - $2,000 (Includes a specialty seven-course menu, a front-row seat to the fireworks, wine pairings, and champagne on entry and at midnight.)

 

 

9. Cafe Sydney

 

Ticket price - $1,100 (Include a six-course paired menu matched glass per course.

 

 

10. The Jackson

 

Ticket price - $1,599 includes a seven-course dinner and live entertainment onboard the $15 million super yacht.

 

 

11. Q Dining

 

Ticket price - $349 ticket includes a delicious four-course dinner, canapes, and a harbourside view on New Year's Eve.

 

 

Where To Watch Sydney Fireworks On TV?

 

Are you planning to host your New Year's Eve gathering with family or friends (or just a lovely solo NYE)?

 

Grab some food and a few drinks to ring in the new year in the comfort of your couch. As fireworks displays are streamed on television, website, and radio, you can still feel a part of the action.

 

You can watch the whole New Year's Eve coverage LIVE from Sydney Harbour, including the 9 pm and midnight fireworks, on:

 

• ABC's TV channel from 8.30 pm AEST, 

• ABC's official website, 

• ABC iview (ABC's Video on demand service),

• ABC TV's Facebook page, and 

• ABC's YouTube channel.

 

For streaming, you can watch the event on the Sydney New Year's Eve website worldwide. Zoom with family and friends from overseas could be a great option.

 

If you like listening instead of watching the live action, KIIS 1065 covers the event from 3 pm to 3 am, including the complete, curated fireworks audiotrack from 9 pm to midnight.

 

 

Where To Watch The Fireworks On The Water?

 

Dotted with boats on New Year's Eve, the Sydney Harbour islands offer unparalleled views and a fun party atmosphere. All island events are ticketed, including scheduled ferry departures from 6 pm to 7 pm. Return ferries will bring you back before 1 am.

 

For a more exclusive experience, Sydney Harbour Escapes provides boats that can hold between 4 to 46 passengers. Though the tickets are expensive, ranging from $3,500 to $100,000, the celebration includes catering, DJs, a mooring, drinks, etc., creating a visually stunning spectacle you will never forget.

 

The small (less than a hectare) Clark Island offers stunning views of the city and icons. Shark Island, close to the entrance to Sydney Harbour, gives you a view of all the fireworks on land and barges. Clark and Shark islands offer live DJs entertainment all night, a delicious dinner, free-flowing bubbles, and a bar.

 

On the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Goat Island offers a more relaxed island option most suited for families. However, you must bring your food and drink (including alcohol) to the event.

 

 

Where Is The Best Place For Fireworks In Melbourne?

 

Melbourne's New Year's Eve fireworks launched from the top of the Eureka Tower. You can even view fireworks from the greater Melbourne area as the fireworks are held over the city skyline.

 

The display comprises ground and aerial fireworks accompanied by a laser light show synchronized with music and fireworks, which adds an extra layer of excitement.

 

Thousands of people of all ages gather around the Yarra River to watch the 9.30 pm fireworks. Full of live entertainment, films, and more, the celebration creates a truly dynamic and immersive experience.

 

Here are the best places to see fireworks in Melbourne:

 

• Melbourne City Skyline

• Southbank

• Docklands

• Yarra Park

• Birrarung Marr

• Federation Square

• Queensbridge Square

• St. Kilda Beach

• Royal Botanic Gardens

• Flagstaff Gardens

• Eureka Skydeck

• Treasury Gardens

 

 

Is It Free To Go Melbourne City To Watch Fireworks?

 

Here are the best locations to see the New Year Eve's Melbourne Fireworks for free:

 

• St Kilda Foreshor

• Williamstown Beach

• Treasury Gardens

• Edinburgh Gardens

• Ruckers Hill, Northcote

• Federation Square

• Queensbridge Square

• Birrarung Marr

• King's Domain Gardens

• Flagstaff Gardens

• Footscray Community Arts Centre

 

 

Where Can I Watch The NYE Fireworks In Adelaide?

 

The New Year's Eve fireworks in Adelaide are launched from a barge on the river.

 

The show includes a series of aerial and ground fireworks and a laser light show. It is one of the most awaited events in the city, with thousands of people gathering on the shores of the Torrens River to watch the show.

 

The NYE in the city holds two fireworks displays - 9 pm and midnight. The best places to watch the fireworks in Adelaide are along the River Torrens, including Elder Park, the Adelaide Zoo, and the Adelaide Festival Centre.

 

Other locations that feature the NYE event include:

 

• Adelaide Riverbank

• Glenelg Beach

• Rymill Park

• Adelaide Oval

• Mount Lofty Summit

• Himeji Gardens

• Henley Beach

• Botanic Park

 

 

Where Can I Watch The NYE Fireworks In Brisbane?

 

New Year's Eve fireworks in Brisbane are launched from the Story Bridge. The primary fireworks display starts over South Bank at 8.30 pm and midnight. You can also simultaneously see a range of aerial and ground fireworks displays over the Brisbane River.

 

Some of the best viewing spots for Brisbane NYE fireworks are:

 

• Brisbane River

• The Story Bridge 

• South Bank Parklands

• Kangaroo Point Cliffs

• Eagle Street Pier

• Victoria Bridge

• Roma Street Parkland

• Wilson's Lookout, New Farm Park 

• Mount Coot-tha

• City Hall

• The Goodwill Bridge

• City Riverwalk

 

 

Where Can I Watch The NYE Fireworks In Perth?

 

Perth's New Year's Eve fireworks transform the calming Swan River into a river of fire. The large aerial and ground fireworks display is launched from a barge on the river.

 

The city offers plenty of spots to watch spectacular fireworks displays. Head to Elizabeth Quay or Rottnest Island to watch an early 9 pm light show, or wait for the main event, i.e., the midnight fireworks over the Swan River in Mandurah or the foreshore at Churchill Park Rockingham.

 

Popular locations to see the New Year's Eve fireworks in Perth:

 

• The Swan River

• Elizabeth Quay

• Rottnest Island

• Kings Park

• Cottesloe Beach

• Perth Cultural Centre

• The South Perth Foreshore

• Crown Casino

• Fremantle Esplanade

• South Perth

• City Beach

 

 

Where Can I Watch The NYE Fireworks In Canberra?

 

Canberra, Australia's capital, hosts NYE by The Lake Burley Griffin. It is a free mini-festival with live music, a fireworks display, DJs, and food. The best way to enjoy the event is to pack a picnic and stay there till the evening to watch the 9 pm fireworks.

 

Some of the best spots to watch Canberra's New Year's Eve Fireworks are:

 

• Lake Burley Griffin

• Regatta Point

• Kingston Foreshore

• Civic Square

• Bowen Park

• Mount Ainslie Lookout

• Patrick White

• Reconciliation Place

• Commonwealth Park

• Old Parliament House

 

 

Conclusion

 

Sydney's NYE fireworks are a national event, and the opportunity to see them in real life is on the bucket list of many.

 

Moreover, relaxed COVID restrictions allow for more capacity at vantage points and venues, indicating midnight viewing is an excellent idea in 2024.

 

So, get ready to party the night away at these most celebrated locations on NYE. Ensure you head in early to avoid missing out on a good vantage point.

 

Useful Links to Explore:

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia 
• What to Study in Australia?