As the clock ticks closer to midnight, Australia is gearing up to welcome the New Year with vibrant celebrations spanning major cities, regional towns, and even the outback. Here’s a state-by-state guide to where you can join in the festivities and catch the dazzling displays lighting up the skies.
New South Wales: Sydney’s iconic Harbour fireworks
Sydney remains the epicenter of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Australia. Thousands of revelers have been staking their spots since early morning at prime locations like Blues Point Reserve and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House serve as the backdrop for a breathtaking fireworks display at midnight.
Security checkpoints, watercraft-packed harbours, and international visitors add to the spectacle, making Sydney a must-see destination. St John Ambulance crews remind attendees to stay hydrated as temperatures rise.
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Metro services will run frequently throughout the day and into the early hours of New Year’s Day.For access to Circular Quay vantage points, visitors should get off at Martin Place and continue on foot towards the harbour and Circular Quay.
For access to Darling Harbour, get off at Gadigal or Central stations.
For access to North Sydney vantage points, the closest metro station is Victoria Cross.
Buses will be affected by road closures and will be stopping at different spots during the night. Those coming via bus will likely need to walk further than normal to get to vantage points.
Bus services that usually head to Circular Quay will go to Martin Place instead.
Between 5pm and 7pm, buses will use temporary stops at Hyde Park, Wynyard, QVB and Town Hall.
What Other Events Are Happening?
A range of exciting activities is planned in the lead-up to the midnight fireworks.
A smoking ceremony will be performed aboard the vessels Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi, and Wirawi at 7.30pm.
From 8.30pm, projections and lighting effects will illuminate the Sydney Harbour Bridge, creating a dazzling display.
At 9.15pm, boats decked out in lights will switch on, adding to the evening’s visual splendor.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, a variety of ticketed harbour cruises are available, and many local venues are hosting their own special events.
Victoria: Melbourne lights up the skyline
More than half a million revellers are set to converge in Melbourne, with fireworks set to light up the sky from 27 points along with 60 laser projections.
Melbourne will treat residents and visitors to two major fireworks shows—at 9.30pm and midnight. Fireworks will launch from 27 rooftops and multiple ground sites, with visibility extending to suburban vantage points like Frankston, Docklands, the Shrine, Treasury Gardens and Flagstaff Gardens.
The zones will be alcohol-free and will feature DJs, live entertainment and food trucks between 6pm and 1am.Pyrotechnician Rusty Johnson, who has been designing Melbourne’s display since 2008, has promised an unforgettable finale. However, authorities warn against the dangers of illegal fireworks after a recent tragedy in Kalkallo.
Regional Victoria offers a more relaxed setting, with families enjoying riverside campsites in Mildura and local celebrations in Bendigo.
Public Transport and Road Closures for New Year’s Celebrations
Public transport will be free from 6 pm on Tuesday until 6am on New Year’s Day, with authorities urging revellers to take advantage of the service due to road closures and a predicted crowd of 500,000.
Drivers are reminded by police not to drink and drive, with all the force’s booze buses set to operate throughout the holiday period.
Train, bus, and tram services will follow a normal Tuesday timetable, with additional services running between 6pm and midnight. Key stations, including Southern Cross and Flinders Street, will remain open all night, while Parliament, Melbourne Central, and Flagstaff stations will stay open until 3am.
Visitors are advised to check the Public Transport Victoria website for updates on tram route changes caused by road closures.
On New Year’s Day, public transport will operate on a public holiday timetable.Tasmania: Festivals and waterfront feasts
In Tasmania, Hobart and Launceston are expected to draw record crowds. Hobart’s Taste of Summer, featuring the Hoodoo Gurus, has sold out, while Launceston’s Beerfest celebrates local food and beverages, headlined by Sneaky Sound System.
Burnie’s New Year’s Eve Carnival will culminate with fireworks at 9.30pm, followed by a midnight drone show along the foreshore.
South Australia: Elder Park festivities
Adelaide’s Elder Park is the hub of South Australia’s celebrations, with two fireworks displays over the River Torrens at 9pm and midnight. Gates open at 5.30pm, offering live entertainment and food stalls.
Public transportation across Adelaide will be free from 5pm until 6am on New Year’s Day, making it easier for thousands to join the festivities.
Queensland: Beachside celebrations and bull riding
From Brisbane’s South Bank fireworks to the Gold Coast’s beachfront displays, Queensland offers diverse ways to celebrate. Families are gathering for picnics, pool parties, and even karaoke, while others reflect on their resolutions for the coming year.
Rockhampton has taken a unique approach with a New Year’s Eve bull riding competition and a country music concert at the Great Western Hotel. Meanwhile, in Gladstone, runners are preparing to kick off their 2025 fitness challenge with a midnight jog.
The Outback: Triple-time zone events
Cameron Corner, where Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia meet, offers a one-of-a-kind celebration. Travelers can experience New Year’s three times due to the tri-state time zones.
Manager Kate Osmon expects about 200 people to join the festivities, with entertainment at the iconic pub before heading to the border post to toast the New Year in each time zone.
