Sydney’s New Year’s Eve ticket costs reach staggering highs

Opinion by JOHN MOYLE

Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are now just dead embers making their way through the harbour, but the fury over the cost of ticketing for the event still lingers.

Before the coalition government came to power in 2011 the event was free for people to watch around the harbour and inner city, but this year around 45,000 people paid up tp $600 each for a slice of grass, and in most places that came with a no grog proviso.

While it will not define the upcoming election, Labor opposition leader Chris Minns has stated that if elected NSW Labor would make the event and all vantage points free, Tweeting “These are the most beautiful fireworks, in the most beautiful city, on the most beautiful harbour in the world.

They should be free for all, and that’s what we will deliver.”

One the cheapest ticketed events to be found was at Bradleys Head’s The Amphitheatre on the North Shore.

Here families were encouraged to spread the throw rug for an alcohol free night at the cost of $89 for adults and $46 for kids.

The event was limited to 5000 spaces.

Gold access to Mrs Macquarie’s Point was a measly $150 but guaranteed access to free drinking water, toilets and food vans.

The City of Sydney’s website suggested The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf for $380, only open to over 18s.

The Royal Botanic Gardens provides one of the best harbour vantage positions and 3,000 spaces were available for $385, or you could splash $795 and enter Botanic House and be treated with a six course degustation menu curated by chef Luke Nguyen.

Out on the harbour party boat the Harbour Spirit got into swing of things with its 5.5 hour cruise with all you can eat canapés and an open bar and a professional party DJ for the duration for a consideration of $749.

City Hub hopes that all those on board practised a responsible approach to the consumption of alcohol.

Soaring costs for all events

But not all staggering prices are limited to New Year’s Eve.

While researching this article City Hub was surprised to see that Rod Stewart is performing on the South Coast mid January.

Not only is he hitting the stage but is being accompanied by Cher.

All for the price of $200, including a three-course meal, but on a closer read it is not the real Rod the Mod or indeed the real Cher, if she was ever real, but impersonators Rob Caudrill and Ashleigh Toole.

The real Rod will be in Bowral come April with tickets starting at $155.

While the feeling of bar humbug lingers from New Year’s Eve there are plenty of events coming up that are free or minimal charge.

If it’s crackers you want Chinese New Year has those on Saturdays in late January and early February and you can also catch dragon boat races and lion dances.

For more free events in Sydney over the holidays the City of Sydney What’s On Free Events is a good place to start planning from.

In April Vivid will have many free events including music shows, installations and light shows.