- There are many spots around Sydney ideal for watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
- Tickets events at Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo offer some of the best vantage points.
- Free viewing spots for the NYE fireworks Sydney edition include Bradfield Park, Campbells Cove and Duff Reserve.
Spring always picks of the energy around Sydney, but don’t go thinking the action-packed fun winds down in December. Quite the contrary. Sydney becomes electric as New Year’s Eve approaches, with locals and visitors organising day picnics at some of the best NYE fireworks viewing spots in places like Balmain and Point Piper, as well as around Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.
Sydney Travel Guide has researched the best viewing spots for the NYE fireworks so you know exactly where you need to go when December 31 brings us from 2024 into 2025.
Where to watch the NYE Fireworks in Sydney
1. Sydney Opera House
The most obvious vantage point for the Sydney NYE fireworks display is around Sydney Opera House. Although you’ll need to buy a ticket to get access to the Sydney Opera House forecourt. You’ll start your night by watching either a preview of Cinderella at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, or the traditional Sydney Opera House Christmas Gala in the Concert Hall, with confirmed performances from Ben Mingay, Katie Stenzel and Diego Torre. You’ll have a front row seat for the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks and also the chance to purchase tickets to a special Midnight Party, which is always the most lavish (official) NYE event in Sydney.
Where: Sydney Opera House;
Price: From $199
2. Barangaroo Reserve
To watch the NYE fireworks Sydney has planned for this year, you’ll need to think about what pockets alongside Sydney Harbour will offering the best vantage points. Barangaroo Reserve is always a popular one thanks to panoramic views of the fireworks at Sydney Harbour Bridge. The park is open from 12pm on New Year’s Eve and you’ll find that most Sydneysiders head down to get a good spot well before 7pm. We recommend arriving around 5pm to get a good spot for the New Year’s Eve 2024 fireworks.
Where: Hickson Road, Millers Point
Price: Free
3. Birchgrove Park
Head along to Balmain and make your way to Birchgrove Park. As it sticks out onto Sydney Harbour, the park actually offers incredible, direct views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And you’ll be the perfect distance from all the action, with a vista that takes in the entire scene without giving you over to the relentless city crowds.
Where: Grove Street, Birchgrove
Price: Free
4. Blues Point
McMahons Point is always a popular place to see the fireworks in Sydney on New Year’s Eve. The site that curve of Blues Point Road typically packs out by 5pm on the day so we advise getting their early to lock down your spot, which will offer an incredible view that takes in both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Where: Blues Point Road, McMahons Point
Price: Free
5. Bradfield Park
Bradfield Park is always a popular spot for picnics under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll never find it busier than on New Year’s Eve, though, with the park flooded by families keen to catch the best viewing spot underneath the Sydney NYE fireworks. The park is open from 9:30am and usually reaches capacity by 5pm. It’s always one of the more convenient viewing spots for the fireworks given it’s right next to Milsons Point station.
Where: Fitzroy Street, Milsons Point
Price: Free
6. Campbells Cove
Head just north of Overseas Passenger Terminal and you’ll spill out into the historic Campbell’s Cove with its iconic row of restaurants. The perfect view of Sydney Opera House makes this a prime viewing spot for the NYE fireworks. But note that just about everyone else in Sydney has the same idea as well, so the space usually reaches capacity well before 3pm.
Where: Hickson Road, Sydney
Price: Free
7. Dawes Point Park
Dawes Point Park is a great spot for the NYE fireworks if you want to be as close as possible to all the action. That said, it’s often too close for some on the Walsh Bay side of Sydney Harbour Bridge, which spoils the epic wide views necessary to get the most out of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Try to find a nearby pier party in Walsh Bay before heading on down, such as the one over at Pier One Sydney Harbour.
Where: Dawes Point Park, The Rocks
Price: Free
8. Hickson Rd Reserve
While Dawes Point Park is a bit too close to the NYE fireworks, if you’re keen on watching the fireworks from The Rocks, you’re best served by Hickson Rd Reserve. One of the most iconic viewing spots for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sydney is packed out very early, so you’re best placed showing up as early as you can to secure your spot.
Where: Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks
Price: Free
9. Lookes Avenue Reserve
If the crowds at Birchgrove Park are too much for you, try the tiny, well-hidden path towards Looks Avenue Reserve. The small park fills up early with locals but it’s worth grabbing a spot if you can. Uninterrupted views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge makes this one of the most popular vantage points in Sydney. At least for those who know some of Sydney Harbour’s best-kept secrets.
Where: Lookes Avenue, Balmain East
Price: Free
10. McKell Park
McKell Park is another great option for anyone after smaller vantage points with thinner crowds. It’s easy to get in and out of this small patch of Darling Point on New Year’s Eve, where guaranteed views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge come with a quiter, more family-friendly atmosphere when compared to nearby Rushcutters Bay Park.
Where: Darling Point Road, Darling Point
Price: Free
11. Mort Bay Park
Located in the edge of Balmain and Birchgrove, Mort Bay Park is another strong option making this section of Sydney ideal of watching the New Year’s Even fireworks on the western side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With a capacity of just 3000 people, the park is a great mid-sized option that won’t be too overwhelming when all the crowds take their position before the midnight fireworks.
Where: Cameron Street, Birchgrove
Price: Free
12. Dumaresq Reserve
Head on out to Dumaresq Reserve at the Rose Bay Foreshore to avoid the crowds. The relatively calm NYE fireworks vantage point is popular for bigger groups and locals to the area, so make sure you take your best picnic blanket and a hamper of your own. Like almost all the parks in Sydney on NYE, this is a strictly alcohol-free affair and there are no pop up bars nearby,
Where: Calendonia Road, Rose Bay
Price: Free
13. Lavender Bay Parklands
Lavender Bay is known year-round as one of the best vantage points for Sydney Harbour in general. You’ll find this place hits its peak on Boxing Day with crowds showing up to watch the Manly to Hobart yacht race. New Year’s Eve is fairly busy here as well, but most of the crowd heads on over to McMahons Point to watch the Sydney NYE fireworks from Blues Point. Hang back with the relatively small crowd and you’ll get a great spot plus you can watch from prime position as the atmosphere in Sydney becomes as vibrant as the fireworks display.
Where: Lavender Cres, Lavender Bay
Price: Free
14. Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo sits on a steep hill in the leafy suburb of Mosman, with a great big lawn area that’s perfect for watching Sydney’s NYE fireworks display. The ticketed event comes with catering with pop-up bars set up all around and live entertainment throughout the night. The electric atmosphere here is lifted by all the roars and what not you’ll (hopefully) hear around you as the zoo welcomes in the new year.
Where: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman
Price: From $115
15. Duff Reserve
Head on up to Point Piper to get away from the crowds that move further towards the city each New Year’s Eve. Double Bay locals tend to swarm on this mid-sized park each year so you’ll find a fashionable crowd turning out with a good mix of families and younger couples vying for good views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks.
Where: Wolseley Rd, Point Piper
Price: Free
16. Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruises
If land-based viewing spots don’t really do it for you, then watch Sydney’s New Year’s Eve display in the most appropriate way: from the water. There are a few New Year’s Eve cruises available for anyone who wants to spend NYE on the harbour. Most of them sell out far in advance so make sure you’re across the main ones. Captain Cook always has the most NYE harbour cruise options.
Where: Sydney Harbour
Price: Varies
Planning your New Year’s Eve
It’s always best to plan ahead to avoid disappointment on New Year’s Eve. Some of these viewing spots can be booked online, although most of them still run with a first come, first service approach. Over 1 million people attend the Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations each year so viewing spots are highly coveted.
Make sure to check the City of Sydney’s website for updated road closures and public transport information the night.
You’ll also want to pack snacks, water and sunscreen as all these spots can crowded, which only ups the temperature on what should be a scorching day.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks display is one of the world’s most iconic NYE countdown celebrations. As the clock winds down to midnight, you’ll want to have a great viewing spot for the epic fireworks display, which typically takes 15 months to plan and features over 8 tonnes of fireworks.
As always the New Year’s Eve show features two fireworks displays with the “family fireworks” at 9pm and the big show at midnight.
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