Ringing in the New Year Down Under
At the end of each and every year, a party of global proportions breaks out. Like
clockwork, this grand gala occurs every 31st night of December, spreading from
timezone to timezone until the whole world is lit up with fireworks and bright
smiles. Sure, on an astronomical scale, it's just one more turn around that big
old Sun but on a human scale, it is the beginning of a new year. This momentous
occasion is full of tradition and holiday cheer. It's a time when the people of
Earth come together to celebrate the past, rejoice in what's to come and countdown
to the beginning of another new year.
Ringing
in the New Year 1
DOWN UNDER
As one of the most Eastern countries on Earth, Australia is the first to jump into the new year, prompting hundreds of thousands to head down under and be among the first to ring it in. The warm weather (it's summer there), friendly locals and their affection for a good time, coupled with some flawlessly organized celebrations, make for one of the most enjoyable New Year's Eve parties in the world.
New Year's in Sydney
Sydney, Australia
starts the party off with a bang, a big bang. Boosted by an absolutely stunning
fireworks
display and colourful boat
parade, the city has developed a reputation as the world's best
place to be when the clock strikes 12. This epic celebration is among the largest
in the world, bringing a million strong downtown and treating them to a pyrotechnic
show that can be seen for kilometres.
A front row seat to the whole pageant can be found on board one of the many boats
in the harbour.
As such, most of Sydney's cruise companies, like Ausail
and Vagabond
Cruises, offer private and shared charters, complete with dinner,
drinks and a view to die for. A different perspective and more sure footing, can
be enjoyed from one of Sydney Harbour's tiny islands. The sweet spots include
Pinchgut
(widely considered the best spot), Goat,
Shark
and Clark
Islands. Alternatively, each year the RTA closes the Cahill
Expressway to motorists and opens it to families as an exclusive
vantage point from which to watch the show.
Fireworks
in Sydney Harbour 2
Perhaps the most comfortable option for the night is to book a table at one of Sydney's high rise restaurants. One stunning elevated spot is Altitude, the lavish restaurant atop the Shangri La Hotel. Booked solid on most nights of the year, reservations are a must.
The party at the top of Sydney Tower is one of the most popular places to be on New Year's Eve. Away from the crowds, 250 m (820 ft) above the city streets, the tower's Observation Deck guarantees uninterrupted views of the world famous fireworks. And while that sky high party is dishing out live entertainment, premium wine, bubbly and beer, the revolving Sydney Tower Restaurant and Sky Lounge dishes up a feast to match.
Sydney doesn't go to sleep once the midnight shows wrap up, instead the city's eclectic mix of clubs and pubs keep the party going into the early morning. Many nightclubs lay on special NYE parties, but as one of the most popular New Year's venues, Sydney’s already exclusive clubs get even harder to get into.
Then comes the Sydney New Year beach parties. A classic Australian activity, these boisterous waterfront parties bring locals and visitors together around great bon fires as they take advantage of the region's great weather and gorgeous landscape. It's a national institution and makes for a perfect beginning to the year, all across the land down under.
New Year's in Melbourne
Sydney's
Harbour of Light Parade 3
Rest assured, Sydney doesn't get to have all the fun. Down south, the city of
Melbourne simultaneously
plays host to its own massive celebrations and with the country's second greatest
population, it's a city that sure can go all out.
As Melbourne's biggest free public party, New Year's Eve is just teeming with special events and a blowout befitting the dawn of a new year. Throughout the night, live bands and dance parties, roving performers and family entertainment can be enjoyed in venues across the city.
As is the custom of the night, an extravagant fireworks array is launched into Melbourne's sky at 9 pm and again at midnight. Captivating an average of more than 500,000 onlookers, these dazzling shows are on par with some of the biggest in the world. Victoria Harbour Promenade at Docklands provides the perfect viewing location for the pyrotechnic program, while a bevy of waterfront restaurants and cafes cater to the crowds. Additionally, everyone at Docklands can enjoy a host of PG and PG-13 rated movies on the Super-Screen between the fireworks shows.
While awaiting the grand finale, there's always plenty more to do. For instance, Southgate and Federation Square have both developed a great reputation for their high energy entertainment. Sure to delight the entire family, these fantastic New Year's carnivals feature circus performances, acrobatics and music and it's all free of charge.
Throughout the city, clubs, pubs and outdoor parties rock until the clock strikes 12 and then on into the new year. Down by the Bass Strait Ferry Terminal, a stylish celebration is held each year at 3 Station Pier. Featuring first class food, drinks and entertainment, this event is in the perfect waterfront location, with views of the whole harbour. The European Bier Cafe hosts one of the city's biggest New Year's Eve Parties with over three levels of live music and good times. Albert Lake becomes an electrifying party zone as lakeside parties rig the park with an abundance of excitement, bars, dance floors and house music.
The
People of Australia Party into the New Year 4
New Year's
Nation
Australia truly is the New Year's nation. Every December, the whole place gets
in on the action as each major city and every little town plans their own mega
celebrations to ring in the New Year. Gloucester
Park, a racecourse in central Perth,
boasts the largest and most recognized holiday display in the city. In Brisbane
50,000 people annually gather around the Brisbane
River to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the
city and at Southbank.
An extravagant family friendly show is held at Canberra's
Civic Square while an explosive fireworks
display lights up the sky at 9 pm and midnight.
If you enjoyed this feature, be sure to check out these other WorldWeb articles.
• Australia's
Top Outback Adventures
• Exploring
the Great Barrier Reef
• The
Perth Experience
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Ringing In the New Year; Australia
- c/o City of Sydney; Fireworks in Sydney Harbour; Sydney, NSW, Australia
- c/o City of Sydney; Sydney's Harbour of Light Parade; Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The People of Australia Party into the New Year; Melbourn, VIC, Australia
