Australia gearing up for New Year’s Eve as a million people pack Sydney Harbour

Australia gearing up for New Year’s Eve as a million people pack Sydney Harbour

From the bush to the city, Australians are preparing to turn the page on 2024.

Vantage points around Sydney Harbour began filling with people from the early hours of the morning, while the streets of Melbourne were ready to be packed with partygoers.

It was estimated a million people would make the trip down to the harbourside for the fireworks in Sydney, some of the largest and most spectacular in the world.

Sydney NYE 2024.
The 9pm New Year’s Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour, viewed from Mrs Macquarie’s Chai. (Wolter Peeters)

Prime vantage points were already full by early afternoon, with some even camping out overnight for a spot.

They were rewarded early for their patience as the 9pm fireworks display lit up the sky over the harbour.

ARIA Award-winning rapper Nooky provided the custom soundtrack for a powerful spectacle inspired by Barangaroo, an influential female Cammeraygal leader and fisherwoman.

Indigenous social enterprise We Are Warriors contributed messages of strength and unity as fireworks, lights and projections on the bridge lit up the harbour for eight minutes.

Australian music royalty Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey took to the harbourside stage to perform a set scattered with hits, including tracks from their bands Something for Kate and Powderfinger and a cover of Under Pressure by David Bowie and Queen.

Revellers also took to boats on the harbour for a marine perspective on the world-famous display run by Foti Fireworks, whose family firecracker business first started in 1793.

Crowds go wild as New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off

Superstar singer Robbie Williams, formerly of Take That, will also take part in a live singalong.

Major road closures are in place throughout the city, and thousands of extra public transport services will be running along the train, light rail, bus, metro and ferry lines.

Sydney will be a cool 22 degrees by midnight with very little chance of showers.

Sydney NYE 2024.
Revellers were rewarded early for their patience as the 9pm fireworks display lit up the sky over the harbour. (Wolter Peeters)

Cloudy skies in Canberra could spoil the views unless you’re close to the action at Lake Burley Griffin.

More than 500,000 people are predicted to pack into Melbourne CBD, with fireworks shows also planned at the Shrine of Remembrance, Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens and Docklands.

Crowd gathering at Opera House forecourt, ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney. (Flavio Brancaleone)

Melbourne’s weather is otherwise mostly clear and is expected to hit 17 degrees this evening.

In Brisbane, people are lining the banks of the river for their chance to nab a prime spot.

Any showers in Brisbane this afternoon are expected to clear by midnight, leaving partly cloudy conditions sitting around 22 degrees.

There will also be fireworks displays on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Crowds gathering at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, ahead of New Years Eve this morning. (Flavio Brancaleone)

SA Police are ramping up patrols with extra powers approved for tonight at Elder Park and Glenelg to crack down on any anti-social behaviour.

Brisbane's fireworks from South Bank.
Brisbane’s fireworks will be held at the South Bank of the river. (Brisbane City Council)

There are 10 separate fireworks shows planned across the Perth metro area.

Authorities around the country have encouraged partygoers to have fun but to also keep each other safe.

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