Plan your visit & make the most of vantage spots and parties across the harbour city
Sydney is one of the most spectacular places in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve (NYE) thanks to its world-famous fireworks that light up locations across the city. Destination New South Wales (NSW) reveals some of the best vantage points for visitors to welcome in the new year from family-friendly viewing at Darling Harbour to ticketed events at Taronga Zoo & grassy spots along the Sydney Harbour foreshore.
A new time-lapse video showcasing the fireworks from last year’s celebrations has been released today, giving visitors a taste of what’s to come when the city lights up to welcome in 2017.
NSW Minister For Trade, Tourism & Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said “As the 1st major city in the world to ring in the new year, Sydney’s famous Midnight Fireworks attracts eyes from across the globe but nothing beats witnessing our harbour city’s NYE 1st-hand”
“With Sydney such a popular destination for visitors for NYE, we know that local hotels, restaurants & cafes will book out fast so I encourage those planning to come to Sydney to welcome in 2017 to pre-plan & book their travel in advance to make the most of all the great events & activities on offer” said Mr. Ayres.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said “NYE is a magical night in Sydney, attracting visitors from across the country & the globe. With many locations across the Harbour foreshore to view the fireworks, as well as festivities & parties to experience, celebrating NYE in Sydney is another great reason to book a holiday to NSW”
Plan for your best NYE celebration yet with Destination NSW’s round up of some of the best Sydney locations to welcome in 2017:
FREE VIEWING LOCATIONS:
- EAST CIRCULAR QUAY/SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Free entry to reserved areas – site opens at 9am
East Circular Quay covers the strip of promenade between Circular Quay Railway Station and the Sydney Opera House & is always a popular viewing spot for all the action on the Harbour. Visitors will get good views of most areas of the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Sydney Harbour. For those wanting to be close to the Sydney Opera House, arrive early to nab the best seat in the house. The Sydney Opera House is always one of the 1st vantage points to reach capacity on NYE but is also one of the best views in town.
- DARLING HARBOUR
Free entry – site opens at 11am
Sydney NYE At Darling Harbour will offer visitors a program full of free entertainment for the whole family to enjoy with Cockle Bay set to be one of the most exciting locations to ring in 2017. From 7pm, see a spectacular light and fire show & enjoy the party atmosphere before fireworks ignite the sky at 9pm & again at midnight. Darling Harbour is a great option for families but will fill up quickly so get down early to secure a spot on the foreshore.
- MRS MACQUARIES POINT
Entry with a gold coin donation – site opens at 10am
If you would like a family-friendly, grassy vantage point with panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House & city skyline, you can’t go past Mrs Macquaries Point in The Domain. This area is a non-ticketed public viewing area however there is a gold coin donation if you would like to enter. This site will have food & licensed beverage vendors available with visitors also welcome to pack a picnic.
- BLUES POINT RESERVE
Free entry – site opens at 12pm
Blues Point Reserve is a fantastic location to catch all the NYE action. Head to this location early in the day to grab a spot to see the western façade of the Sydney Harbour Bridge & the skies above light up. This site fills up fairly quickly due to being one of the best vantage points in Sydney so get down early to secure your spot.
TICKETED EVENT LOCATIONS:
Listed in order of price:
- BARANGAROO RESERVE
Tickets start at $29.50 for adults – site opens at 6pm
Barangaroo Reserve is a great location to watch the fireworks with excellent views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s western face in addition to displays from multiple barges positioned across the Harbour from Balmain to Goat Island & Balls Head Point.
The spectacular sloping lawns at Barangaroo mean that in addition to fireworks, visitors will get superb views of the sunset over the Harbour while enjoying a picnic dinner & drinks followed by the 9pm Family & Midnight Fireworks. This is a family-friendly event with roving performers entertaining visitors throughout the evening.
- TARONGA ZOO
Tickets start at $190 for adults – site opens at 3:30pm
This NYE at Taronga Zoo is extra special as the party caps off Taronga’s Centenary year of celebrations. On Sydney’s North Shore, guests planning to see in the new year to the warbles & squawks of night-time Zoo creatures can choose between a banquet dinner, a cocktail party or a family-friendly zoo lawn picnic experience, both offering great views back towards the city. All proceeds from ticket sales help Taronga continue their vital conservation work & breeding programs.
- LAWN WITH A VIEW
Tickets start at $329 for adults – site opens at 7pm
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is home to one of NYE’s most popular events. Lawn With A View is held on Bennelong Lawn, south of the Sydney Opera House & is a stand-out, premium event with a relaxed, fuss-free picnic style set up. This secluded harbour-side location guarantees outstanding views across the Harbour.
Media Release: Destination NSW
Sydney Spectaculars 