Sydney Fireworks Usher in the New Year

Sydney prides itself on having one of the world's most lavish and innovative fireworks displays come New Year's Eve.

I used to love going down to Circular Quay and then either to the grounds of the Sydney Opera House or to West Circular Quay at The Rocks. There was also a time when I used to go into the Royal Botanic Gardens. They were all terrific venues to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks.

Unfortunately, like the last time I tried to get into the Sydney Opera House forecourt to view the New Year's Eve fireworks, I just couldn't get through the press of people at Circular Quay and had to take a most circuitous route, first down to Hyde Park North and then into Macquarie St for the slow walk to the Opera House with the crowds all around me.

There's nothing like being there for the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks.

But if you want to get a good position among the many venues along the harbour's foreshores you will now need to get there early, as early as the afternoon of New Year's Eve, and then settle down to wait. Many of these vantage points now prohibit liquor and beer being brought in, so you won't have the consolation of imbibing a coldie or two.

Parking close to these venues will be next to impossible, so do take public transport.

And, oh yes, there will be two Sydney fireworks displays on Sydney Harbour, the first one at 9pm and the second — and bigger — one at midnight.

Happy new year.

Photo: Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks, courtesy City of Sydney