Why Sydney New Year’s Eve is the best

It has been uniformly agreed by the entire planet that the Sydney NYE fireworks display blows everyone else’s out of the water. But a Sydney NYE is better than anywhere else for so many more reasons. 

Firstly, and really significantly – it’s summer. They (northern hemisphere dwellers) can have their storybook white Christmases with snow angels and chestnuts on an open fire…whatever! But there is no way to beat a sultry clear evening in of outdoor partying to celebrate the new year. 

With its magnificent harbour as the focal point, Sydney NYE celebrations occur in a unique natural amphitheatre with the calm harbour waters reflecting the spectacular lights and fireworks. 

The fireworks are launched from several barges distributed from the east end of the harbour and into Parramatta River and Inner Harbour; from the top of Sydney Opera House sails, and of course, from all over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It means that there is a huge area from which fireworks can be seen, not only from around the harbour but from hill tops quite a distance away. 

Some of the best vantage points are public parks where people can bring their kids, a picnic dinner and sit down.  Most locations will put on entertainment, food trucks, and almost all will have convenient toilets. 

Lots of hotels, pubs, restaurants and other venues have a view of the fireworks, so you make it a party event. It’s also one of the few places you can watch the display from a boat floating almost directly underneath the exploding colours. 

Compare this with a rival contender for “best NYE”, New York’s Times Square. It’s winter and it’s freezing (literally). You can’t reserve tickets to enter the official Times Square enclosure – it’s first come, first served. For many, that means standing in a queue for many hours before even entering the square where they will then have to stand for even more long hours in the bitter cold. 

And yes, it’s standing room only. And guess what? No food trucks, no bars. And…no toilets. That’s right. There are no toilets inside the enclosure. Once you’ve found your spot you don’t want to surrender it, which means most people stand on the same bit of cold bitumen for up to nine hours (entry is from 3pm). 

If you’re wondering how they…?

Many people wear adult nappies. 

Gimme Sydney NYE any day. Let the countdown begin!