While some prefer to usher in the new year by hitting the hay earlier, others prefer to mark the occasion with a fireworks show.
If you fall in the latter group, there’s plenty of colour planned in each capital city to help you celebrate.
Adelaide
About 25,000 people are expected to attend Adelaide’s New Year’s Eve celebration at Elder Park/Murlawirrapurka.
The event is free with gates due to open to the public at 5:30pm — entry to the site will be closed once maximum capacity is reached.
The event will feature two fireworks shows, at 9pm and midnight, as well as live music all night, a circus stage and roving performances.
Brisbane
South Bank Parklands will once again play host to Brisbane’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, with the evening featuring two fireworks shows — one at 8pm and another at midnight.
You can also find a vantage point along the riverbank from Brisbane City, South Bank and Kangaroo Point to catch the colourful displays.
Recommended spots include the Clem Jones Promenade, Streets Beach, River Quay Green and Riverside Green, and the Cultural Forecourt.
On the Gold Coast, fireworks will light up the night sky in the following suburbs:
- Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach — 8pm and midnight
- Coolangatta Beach — 9pm and midnight
- Coomera Sports Park — 8pm, with entertainment from 5pm
- Paradise Point Parklands — 9pm, with entertainment from 5pm
- Robina Town Centre Promenade — 10pm, with entertainment from 6pm
- Surfers Paradise Foreshore — 8pm and midnight
If you’re going to be on the Sunshine Coast, you can also see fireworks at:
- Mooloolaba Esplanade at 8.30pm
- Caloundra’s Kings Beach Amphitheatre at 8.30pm
- Coolum Beach’s Tickle Park at 8.30pm
- Noosa River at 10pm
Canberra
Canberrans can ring in the new near on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin with two fireworks displays this year — one at 9pm and one at midnight.
Fireworks will be launched from Central Basin and Commonwealth Bridge.
Festivities will start at 6pm at four celebration hubs, which will boast the best views of the action.
They will be at:
- Rond Terrace
- Queen Elizabeth Terrace
- Canberra and Region Visitors Centre
- Nerang Pool
Free public transport will be available for those attending celebrations.
Darwin
Darwin will feature two fireworks displays, at 9pm and midnight, at the Waterfront Precinct.
Kids can enjoy a neon disco, while a line-up of local performers are scheduled for older partygoers.
Three New Year’s Eve-themed shows from Liquid Light are also planned to entertain the crowds at 7.30pm, 8pm and 8.30pm.
The multimedia experience uses laser projection, water fountains, flames and animations programmed to music.
Food vendors will be available onsite, or you can pack your own picnic.
Hobart
Those ready to celebrate the New Year can head to the city’s riverfront.
Two fireworks displays, launched at 9.30pm and midnight, will sparkle over the River Derwent.
The Regatta Grounds will have a designated viewing area on the grassy hill looking over Macquarie Point.
Parking at the Regatta Grounds is free, and a shuttle bus will be running to transfer partygoers to the city or waterfront.
Melbourne
Melbourne’s skies will light up twice, with fireworks displays scheduled for 9.30pm and midnight.
From 6pm to 1am, four free celebration zones will play host to food trucks, performances and activities at:
- Docklands
- Flagstaff Gardens
- The Shrine
- Treasury Gardens
The City of Melbourne says the “very best view” of the midnight fireworks will be from afar.
It recommends finding your own location to view the city skyline anywhere in the greater Melbourne area to enjoy the spectacle without the jostle of the crowds.
Perth
Partygoers in Perth can enjoy fireworks, amusement rides and a sideshow alley at Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square this year.
The Swan River will sparkle in two fireworks displays at 8.30pm and midnight.
The City of Perth recommends viewing the displays from Elizabeth Quay, Barrack Square and the Foreshore near Birdya Drive to see and hear all the action in full.
Sydney
Sydney’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks will go ahead after the rail unions and the NSW government reached a resolution.
Premier Chris Minns had threatened to cancel the public display on the basis that rail disruptions could leave partygoers stranded in the city.
As part of the agreement, there will be no new industrial action that poses a threat to services on New Year’s Eve, when more than a million people are expected to make their way into the CBD as the clocks wind down.
At 7:30pm, a smoking ceremony conducted aboard the Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi and Wirawi vessels will mark the beginning of celebrations.
From 8:30pm, specially created lighting effects will be projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge and its pylons.
Boats adorned with lights will glide in a procession across Sydney Harbour at 9:15pm.
And at the stroke of midnight, a dazzling fireworks display will be launched from Sydney’s landmarks along the harbour.
A full list of ticketed and free vantage points to watch the fireworks can be found on the City of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve website.
It’s expected any industrial action in place on New Year’s Eve will not disrupt train services or impede passengers’ ability to travel to and from the city.
If you can’t get to your local fireworks event in person, you can still start the new year with a bang.
You can follow the ABC’s broadcast of the Sydney Harbour fireworks on ABC TV and iview from 8.30pm in your time zone.
The NYE 2024 concert will also be broadcast across ABC’s social media accounts on YouTube, Facebook and TikTok.
