How To Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sydney, Australia

Chasing the perfect New Year’s Eve? Erin of Travel With Bender unravels what makes Sydney, Australia one of the best parties in the world and how to make the most of it. 

 

When it comes to New Year’s Eve celebration hotspots around the world, there’s no shortage of options. But nothing comes close to the world’s largest fireworks extravaganza.

Sydney is Australia’s largest city and best known for its picturesque harbor, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House with its distinctive sail-like design.

Sydney is also home to the 2nd largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world with over 1 billion viewers tuning in to watch the festivities and more than 1 million revellers filling every vantage point around the harbor and on the water.

If celebrating Australia’s party of the year in Sydney Harbour is on your travel wish list, here’s 3 important tips to make your planning easier.

1. Find a great place to stay

When looking for a place to stay, choose a location close to Sydney Harbour. Public and private transport will be a nightmare once the fireworks are finished, so save yourself time and stress by staying nearby. We booked Mantra 2 on Bond Street and found it to be a short 10-minute walk to all the action. The suite included a kitchen, which was perfect for late night snacks after a big night out. But the highlight is the roof-top pool with amazing city views.

2. The perfect spot to watch

New Year’s Eve in Sydney Harbour is teeming with people – 1 million of them! So consider arriving first thing in the morning to grab a spot at the Botanical Gardens or Opera House.

Alternatively, take a dinner cruise on the harbor for less crowds and uninterrupted panoramic views.

The fireworks display is focused over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but may also shoot up from several other locations like the Opera House and barges floating in the harbor (it changes every year). In 2016 over 30,000 pyrotechnic effects lit up the sky for 12 fabulous minutes. So settle in a good spot for an amazing night to remember.

3. A New Year’s Day to remember

You can’t start a new year hiding in your hotel room all day, as comfortable as it may be. Instead, enter the new year with a bang.

Try the famous Bridgeclimb on Sydney’s very own Harbour Bridge, also fondly known as “The Coathanger” because of its arch-based design. Opened in 1932, the bridge is an engineering marvel, built to last hundreds of years and way ahead it’s time. It’s the 6th longest spanning-arch bridge and the tallest steel arch bridge in the world.

You’ll be safely harnessed and led on a guided tour up, up, up to the windy summit of 134 m (440 feet) above sea level. What glorious views await at the top! If you’re not puffed out by the climb, the 360-degree view will definitely take your breath away.

Alternatively, if you’re not fond of heights, take a free walk across the bridge pedestrian path for your own New Year’s Day accomplishment and beautiful harbor views.

An incredible New Year’s Eve requires a generous dose of planning as hotels and activities can fill up over 6 months in advance. So get cracking! It’s time to start planning your upcoming New Year’s Eve in Sydney today.

 

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