96% Of Sydney NYE Vantage Points Free As Plain & White Updated Sydney NYE Website Symbolises Event’s Lack Of Overall Creativity

In early September, the Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) website was updated for the 2023 edition, revealing 96% of Sydney NYE vantage points are free this year as well as a very plain & white website design.

Last edition, 57% of Sydney NYE vantage points were revealed to be paid ticketed so the Australian Labor Party made an election promise to make all New South Wales (NSW) Government-controlled vantage points free of charge if they won the March state election, which they did.

There are still some paid vantage points. However, most have a good reason to be paid such as included ferry trips (Goat/Clark/Shark Island), charity fundraisers (Taronga Zoo/Royal Botanic Gardens: Foundation & Friends Picnic) & containing venues (Sydney Opera House: Midden By Mark Olive/Opera Bar/House Kitchen/Yallamundi Rooms/Joan Sutherland Theatre/Concert Hall).

The charity fundraisers were given limited exemptions by the NSW Government. The two charities are the Taronga Conservation Society of Australia (Taronga Zoo) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation (Royal Botanic Gardens: Foundation & Friends Picnic). These charity fundraisers underpin their conservation & scientific work.

There is also a free vantage point still at the Sydney Opera House.

There are 2 notable paid exceptions to this year’s vantage points: Cockatoo Island/Wareamah & Dudley Page Reserve.

Cockatoo Island/Wareamah is controlled by the Australian Government via the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust – thus, the NSW Government cannot control that vantage point. However, this vantage point includes compulsory accommodation, which would significantly cost a lot. The price for this vantage point varies from AUD$430 to AUD$9500.

Most significantly is Dudley Page Reserve, which is controlled by the NSW Government via Waverly Council. However, despite being ultimately controlled by the NSW Government, it is still paid at up to AUD$60 per adult with included entertainment. A significant argument in keeping this vantage point paid is that this vantage point is more targeted to Waverly residents as it is the eastern most vantage point at nearly 7km east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The cost may be also to cover the cost of the vantage point-exclusive entertainment.

The NSW Government referred Sydney Spectaculars to Waverly Council on this issue regarding Dudley Page Reserve.

Vantage points already sold out (as of 2nd December 2023):

• Royal Botanic Gardens: Foundation & Friends Picnic
• Goat Island
• Bradleys’ Head: Mast Precinct
• Bradleys’ Head: Amphitheatre
• Bradleys’ Head: Athol Lawn
• Clark Island
• Shark Island
• Strickland Estate
• Cockatoo Island/Wareamah

Also, all COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have now been removed for the NYE2023 edition including proof of free ticket for City Of Sydney-managed vantage points.

Back to the updated Sydney NYE website, it is very plain & white compared to the colourfulness of previous editions, symbolising the present lack of overall creativity of the overall event.

The updated website did reveal some new details of the 2023 edition:

• KIIS 106.5 will once again be the official radio broadcaster.
• The 7:30pm Smoking Ceremony will be conducted on 2 extra vessels this year apart from the traditional Tribal Warrior vessel: Mari Nawi & Wirawi, making it the biggest Smoking Ceremony yet in its 18-year history.
• The Sydney Opera House will be used for fireworks at Midnight at least for 1 more edition. Could this mean a 50th anniversary tribute is in the works?
• Apart from the Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge, “some of Sydney’s iconic landmarks” will also be used for fireworks at Midnight (though this most likely refers to the 4 city buildings)

City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said Sydney NYE resources would help people to make a plan for the big night & explore the many ways to celebrate:

Sydney New Year’s Eve is an iconic event & a wonderful celebration of our safe, harmonious and vibrant city.

With COVID-restrictions lifted & more parkland access available, we anticipate there will be large crowds across the city keen to see the fireworks. I encourage everyone to check out sydneynewyearseve.com and plan ahead.

Whether you’re watching at home or coming to join us along the foreshore, the event is a great way to reflect on the year past & look with hope to the year ahead. I hope locals and visitors alike enjoy the show!

Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor