New Year's Eve in Sydney

Free places to watch the fireworks 

Grab a blanket, a picnic and your favourite people, then settle in to watch the greatest show of the year. Even though these spots are free, some still require you to register for tickets before you arrive – check the website ahead of time. 

Observatory Hill at Millers Point is one of the city’s most popular vantage points, so expect big crowds and a party atmosphere – it looks straight out over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

Couple watching the sunset at Observatory Hill, Millers Point

Pirrama Park and Giba Park in Pyrmont are both great family-friendly spots that don’t get as crowded. They have excellent views of the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and you’ll also get a good view back into the harbour. These are two of the few spots you’re allowed to bring in alcohol as well as a picnic, plus food and drinks are available to purchase at Pirrama Park. 

For a more intimate NYE, just 1200 people are permitted to be in Embarkation Park, a leafy strip of green in Potts Point. Views are somewhat limited, but you will get a good perspective over the city skyline and the fireworks barges to the east. Perched at the northern entrance to Sydney Harbour, Manly’s North Head is another peaceful place to watch the party unfold. Surrounded by bushland, you’ll have a panoramic view over the whole harbour with plenty of space to stretch out. 

View of Sydney Harbour from the Fairfax Lookout at North Head, Manly

There are a number of places along the Inner Harbour where you can get good views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as the three fireworks barges that will be set up on the water. Try Bicentennial Park in Glebe, Yurulbin Park and Birchgrove Park in Birchgrove, and Simmons Point and Illoura Reserve in Balmain. None of these spots require tickets and are open from as early as 8am, so will start to fill up early. In the east, Rose Bay Foreshore and Dumaresq Reserve both have a good view of the city, though it is from some distance. The tiny Duff Reserve at Point Piper looks straight at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but can only hold around 100 people. 

On the eastern side of the Sydney Opera House, Mrs Macquarie’s Point is a leafy spot in the Botanic Garden with stunning views through to the harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge. There will be food trucks and bars scattered throughout the area, though you can also bring a picnic. Strickland House in Vaucluse offers a vantage point in front of one of Sydney’s grandest historic homes. The waterfront lawn is at the far end of the harbour and looks straight back towards the city, harbour islands and fireworks barges. This is another licensed site that will have food and drinks available. 

New Year's Eve, Sydney Harbour 

There are a few different options available for New Year’s Eve on Bradleys Head, directly in front of Taronga Zoo. All are alcohol-free and great for families looking for excellent views and a relaxed vibe. Sitting right on the edge of the peninsula, The Amphitheatre has the best views, looking straight out at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and city skyline. There are also two fireworks barges set up just offshore. A little further round the point, the Mast Precinct also has very good views of the city and the barges. You can set up around the base of the mast itself, along the boardwalk or on the upper grassed area. Athol Lawn is a wide, grassy area at the top of Bradleys Head. Trees make for great shade when setting up in the afternoon, though they may restrict the view at night. Pack a picnic as there’s no food to buy here. All Bradleys Head vantage points require free tickets for entry between 3pm and 5pm. After 5pm, general access will be allowed if sites are not already full.

Fireworks display at Bradleys Head, Sydney Harbour - Credit: John Spencer, DPE

Ticketed vantage spots to watch the fireworks 

If you’re prepared to splash a little cash, you’re guaranteed an even better view from some of the city’s most beautiful harbourside parks and gardens. Many of these vantage points will have facilities like stalls selling food and drinks. These are some of the hottest tickets in town - book your tickets early.

In the north, Blues Point Reserve at McMahons Point ($50 per person) sits just on the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It has uninterrupted views through to the Sydney Opera House as well as a front-row seat to the fireworks. In the east, Dudley Page Reserve (from $30) is a great spot for families with a relaxed atmosphere, live entertainment and harbour views.

Restaurants and bars with harbour views

A number of rooftop and sky-high bars host ticketed celebrations with views, such as Altitude (various prices) and Blu Bar on 36 (tickets from $1,249 per person) at Shangri-La Sydney, Infinity Tower (tickets from $1344 per person), Bar Lulu (tickets from $595 per person) and Zephyr Sky Bar (tickets from $699). Restaurants with wonderful views offering food and drink packages include Mode Kitchen & Bar (tickets from $250 per person), Tayim (tickets from $130 per person), Otto (packages from $350 per person), Searock Grill (packages from $1050 per person) and Bennelong (packages from $1,900 per person). 

New Year's Eve at Infinity Sydney Tower, Sydney CBD

Events and parties celebrating the new year

Pier One Hotel in Walsh Bay puts on a Pier Party (tickets from $549 per person) with free flowing drinks and food, a DJ set by the Jungle Giants and a vantage point that’s so close you’ll feel the warmth of the fireworks. Opt for the NYE Waterside Pods (tickets from $649 per person) for a VIP experience with reserved relaxing seating.

For amazing views, plus DJ sets by KLP, Felixx, Kira Sunday and more, head to Luna Park Sydney's Harbour Party (from $329 per person). Enjoy unlimited rides all night. Time your trip on the ferris wheel to coincide with the fireworks for a view to remember. Guests at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Rooftop Party (from $750) will feast on gourmet food and drinks with performances by Club Sol Trio and DJ Kyle. Join in the festivities at the ultimate LGBT+ party, Celebration at the End of the Wharf (tickets from $647). Wharf 1 is an extraordinary vantage point for the midnight spectacle with uninterrupted views of multiple fireworks barges, the Cahill Expressway fireworks platform, and the Harbour Bridge towering above.

Taronga Zoo puts on a show with plenty of live music and foodie fun all night, as well as views over the water to the Harbour Bridge.

New Year's Eve fireworks on Sydney Harbour

Islands to watch the fireworks from the water 

If you want to be right in the middle of the action, the Sydney Harbour islands offer unmatched views and a fun party atmosphere. You’ll need to buy tickets for all these island events and they include scheduled ferry departures around 6-7pm, so make sure you don’t miss the boat. Return ferries will bring you back before 1am. 

Sitting just off the edge of the swanky suburb of Darling Point, the tiny Clark Island covers less than a hectare and offers spectacular views of the city and icons. Shark Island is 1km offshore from Rose Bay and close to the entrance to Sydney Harbour, giving you a view straight down the water to all the fireworks on land and on barges. For both islands you can bring a picnic and drinks as there is no food and drink for sale.  

You’ll be practically in the middle of the fireworks on Goat Island, which sits on the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge just offshore from Balmain. This is a more relaxed island option that’s great for families. A radio or phone speaker is also a good idea so you can tune in for the live coverage of the NYE broadcast. Stay overnight at Cockatoo Island. Camp or spend the night in on the island's holiday houses to have the best view on New Year's Eve and wake up in the heart of the harbour on New Year's Day.

Shark Island, Sydney Harbour - Credit: John Spencer, DPE

Cruise around the fireworks

Sydney Harbour will be dotted with boats on New Year’s Eve, taking guests out for an evening of dinner, drinks and dancing before dropping anchor at a prime viewing spot. Options include The Jackson (from $1699 per person), Clearview (from $1,800 per person), Vagabond Cruises (from $900 per person), Captain Cook Cruises or the Showboat (from $1500). All offering a delicious dinner, free-flowing bubbles and live entertainment.

Fireworks view from Clark Island, Sydney Harbour - Credit: John Spencer, DPE

If you’d prefer to keep your celebrations a little more exclusive, a private boat charter will give you a front-row seat for the ultimate NYE party. Sydney Harbour Escapes has boats that can hold from four to 600 passengers and will organise catering, drinks, DJs, a mooring and more. It won’t come cheap (prices start from $2,500 and go up to well over $250,000) but it’s an experience you’ll never forget. 

The Jackson dining room, Sydney Harbour - Credit: Jackson Dining