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All of the vantage points set up by the City of Sydney have reached full capacity and are now closed to new entrants, with more than a million people expected to watch the iconic fireworks display in person.
Of the five designated sites at the Gardens, Bennelong Lawn and Tarpeian Lawn both reached their 4,500 person capacity before midday while Mrs Macquaries Point, Fleet Steps
Lavender Bay Parklands, Broadfield Park, Campbells Cove and Mary Booth Reserves are all full as of 4:30pm.
A notice posted by the City of Sydney at 4.30pm wared revellers that all vantage points in North Sydney were now full.
“Do not travel into North Sydney. Plan ahead and check the vantage point map for other options,” the notice read.
CHAOS ENSUES IN RACE FOR BEST SPOT
Earlier in the day, Chaotic scenes were caught on video as hundreds of revellers forced their way into a New Year’s Eve celebration site in Sydney.
The wild footage captured groups running along the grassed foreshore near the Royal Botanic Gardens before ignoring a rope partition.
Sharing the footage on TikTok, creator Hazel Fenlon wrote it was a “disaster” and “shame on whoever started to run and break the ropes”.
Another person commented that there was no crowd control so wannabe revellers “stormed the site”.
CAMPERS CLAIM BEST SPOTS
Some Sydneysiders chose to camp out overnight, hoping to secure the top vantage points ahead of the city’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks.
More than a million people are expected to pack out parks and viewing points for the harbourside city’s famed event, which is anticipated to be the biggest yet.
Vantage points that opened earliest were the quickest to fill up, with the City of Sydney council saying Blues Point Reserve at McMahons Point was already almost full only half an hour after opening at 9am.
Security staff were on hand to manage hundreds-strong queues, where some dedicated revellers arriving as early as 1am.
Many of the city’s most popular vantage points have not been ticketed this year and will operate on a “first-come basis”, with spectators encouraged to arrive early.
Blues Point was the first area to begin turning away revellers followed closely by sites below the Sydney Harbour Bridge and at the Royal Botanic Garden’s Bennelong Lawn and Tarpeian Lawn.
Several ticketed events including at Taronga Zoo and Luna Park were sold out ahead of schedule.
SPOTS FILLING UP QUICKLY
Other viewing sites situated around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Government House are listed as “almost full”, including Mrs Macquaries Point and Fleet Steps.
Each of these locations promise spectacular views and will have food and drinks for sale.
The staggered opening times of locations across the city will allow attendees to find a spot using the City of Sydney’s dedicated NYE website.
CITY PREPARES FOR RECORD BREAKING SHOW
This year’s showcase is set to be the biggest on record, with nine tonnes of fireworks set to sparkle alongside a laser show.
More than 9 tonnes of fireworks will be launched on the night from 16 locations.
“It’s no wonder our New Year’s Eve display is regarded as one of the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks shows on earth,” Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
For the fist time in Australia four aerial platforms hovering above the Opera House will join the record 264 firing positions — including 80 positions on the western side of the harbour.
Organisers are urging revellers to use public transport to attend the celebrations, which will include 3600 additional trains as well as bolstered bus and ferry services.
Attendees have been told to plan ahead, arrive early and together, and leave the car at home.
Major roads will begin to close in Sydney at 6am on New Year’s Eve, including the Cahill Expressway and roads in The Rocks and CBD North.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be completely closed from 11pm on New Year’s Eve until 1.30am on New Year’s Day, along with all major roads in the city.
The official events are set to kick off from 7.30pm, with a series of early fireworks at 9pm.
Titled the Calling Country fireworks, these will be presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through music, dance and illustration.
At 9.15pm the Sydney Harbour Lights will kick off as boats create a “visual spectacle” across the harbour.
The main event will be for 12 minutes at midnight, as pyrotechnics are launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and other Sydney landmarks.
Foti International Fireworks director Fortunato Foti assured Sydneysiders they’d be able to catch a glimpse of the show “if you’re anywhere you can see the Harbour or the tops of the city skyline”.
“Obviously anywhere down from the Harbour — Hunters Hill, Gladesville, down that way all the way to Shark Island, you’ll be able to see fireworks,” he said.
For those who prefer a quiet night in, the display will be live streamed on the Sydney New Year’s Eve website and broadcast on TV.
New South Wales police are planning to deploy more than 2500 officers across the New Year’s Eve events.
“The police presence will be significant – this is our largest single-day operation for New South Wales Police,” NSW Police Major Events Group Superintendent Anthony Bell told Sky News Australia.
“Our main focus is to make sure that everyone has a great night… our message is clear; zero tolerance tonight to anyone that wants to come in to cause harm, to have an impact on others.”
