City Information

With crowds of more than 1.5 million people, Sydney has arguably the second largest New Year celebrations worldwide, after Rio de Janeiro (which attracts over 3 million people on Copacabana Beach; New York and London both average crowds between 800,000 and 1,000,000).

New Year revellers benefit from the harbour city's warm summer weather and natural amphitheatre. Over 80,000 fireworks are traditionally set off from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and six other firing points covering 6km along Sydney Harbour. The event can be seen from a 16km radius around Sydney and attracts an average of 300,000 international tourists each year.

Read more: Sydney

New Year's Eve celebrations in Greater Melbourne are spread out at various locations in the city and in the surrounding suburbs. The places with all the activities are right in the heart of the city, they and are along the Yarra River, at the Docklands, Federation Square, Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Southbank, Richmond, Waterfront City, New Quay, Port Melbourne, Albert Park Lake and St Kilda.

These celebrations thru greater Melbourne, including live music and fireworks, have grown bigger and bigger and now attract crowds up to a million people across those metropolitan hot spots, making it the second largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia.

In the City of Melbourne there will be many FREE events.

Come and farewell 2009 and welcome in 2010 in the city at two free special events celebrating the flipping of the calendars.

Family Festival

• Yarra Park 5pm - 9.30pm
• Docklands 6pm - 1am

Join the high-spirited celebrations at the new Family Festival at Yarra Park, surrounding the MCG.

There will be roving performers, carnival rides, children's activities and workshops, and well-known, headline artists on the main stage.

Stay tuned for the official announcement of the full program line-up in early December – there will be something for everyone.

Bring a picnic rug, relax on the grass with the family and count down to the Family Fireworks at 9.15pm.

Docklands, in Victoria Harbour, will feature both 9.15pm and midnight fireworks displays with free entertainment at Waterfront City from 6pm until 1am.

Midnight Event
Countdown to midnight in the CBD and Docklands!

• Alexandra Gardens 8pm - 1am
• Birrarung Marr 9.30pm - 1am
• Federation Square 8pm - 1am
• Waterfront City (Docklands) 6pm - 1am

This year's midnight fireworks show will weave a spectacular path through the city across building rooftops. The show can be viewed anywhere you can see the city skyline.

Bring your picnic rug to Alexandra Gardens or Birrarung Marr and chill out to the likes of Monique Brumby, Joe Neptune, Charles Jenkins, Ronit, Jess McAvoy, Franklyn James and The Wellingtons.

Performers will rotate between the various entertainment locations in Alexandra Gardens and Birrarung Marr throughout the evening.

Midnight Fireworks
Watch the fireworks burst into the midnight sky with a line of fireworks running from the top of the CBD all the way to the Docklands from Melbourne’s rooftops. You'll have a fantastic view anywhere you can see the skyline, particularly south of the river.

Handy information
For enquiries contact 9658 9658.
This is a free event. Note that carnival rides at Yarra Park will incur small fees.
New Year's Eve in the city is an alcohol-free event.

How to get there
Public transport provides the most convenient way to travel into the city for the celebrations. Trains, trams and buses

All New Year's Eve family precincts are alcohol free zones.

Featured New Years Eve Events

Here are our featured events located in and around Melbourne.

• European Bier Café - Le Discotheque
• Lifes A Ball - New Years Eve Party
• Luna Park NYE 2009
• Watermark Bar
• BLVD Bar
• NewYearsEve h2oh! - Lakeside Summer Party...on Albert Park Lake
• Society Restaurant - New Years Eve at Society
• Young and Jackson - New Years Eve
• Blue Train - New Years Eve

For more Melbourne New Years Eve Events visit our Melbourne Events Directory

View Larger Map

Transport

For Public Transport in and around Melbourne see MetLink.

In Brisbane 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the Brisbane River in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at Southbank.

Read more: Brisbane

The Perth Town hall is the nucleus of the City's family New Year's event with patrons gathering outside to count down the new year on the historic clock while enjoying live band music and dancing.

Northbridge is the site for serious partygoers, with street stages featuring contemporary music, DJs and performances drawing crowds of thousands.

Read more: Perth

Featured New Years Eve Events

For Adelaide New Years Eve Events visit our Adelaide Events Directory

Transport

For Public Transport in and around Adelaide see AdelaideMetro.

Featured New Years Eve Events

For Hobart New Years Eve Events visit our Hobart Events Directory

Transport

For Public Transport in and around Hobart see Metro Tasmania.

Featured New Years Eve Events

For Darwin New Years Eve Events visit our Darwin Events Directory

Transport

For Public Transport in and around Darwin see Northern Territory Transport Group.

Featured New Years Eve Events

For Canberra New Years Eve Events visit our Canberra Events Directory

Transport

For Public Transport in and around Canberra see ACTION Buses.