Where to see the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks, including the best vantage points across the city

It’s officially time for Sydney Harbour’s New Year’s fireworks display as Sydneysiders and tourists prepare to ring in 2025.

This year’s showcase is set to be the biggest ever, with 4,500 hours spent preparing the spectacular and 9 tonnes of fireworks ready to sparkle.

More than 1 million spectators will line Sydney Harbor beach and thousands more will be at vantage points or separate fireworks events across the city.

With this in mind, here’s what you need to know if you’re heading to see the fireworks and light show in central Sydney.

If you prefer to go to Coogee, Manly, Parramatta or Liverpool fireworks, or watch from home – we’ve got you covered too.

Sydney road closures and public transport services on New Year’s Eve

Organizers have assured visitors that public transport will be available and accessible, albeit with longer journey times, despite earlier threats of industrial action.

Transport for NSW said the Sydney Trains network has established more than 1,000 additional rail services from December 31 to 5pm. 05.00 on New Year’s Day.

Revelers are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early and together, allow plenty of time and leave the car at home.

Some roads in the city center were closed on Tuesday morning from 04:00, and other major road closures in the CBD are expected from Extra train and bus services will run throughout the day and into the early hours of the New Year.

From 3pm to midnight, trains do not stop at Circular Quay Station. Passengers can use Wynyard, St James or Martin Place stations and then proceed on foot to viewpoints.

From 18.00 to midnight, trains from the city to the North Shore will not stop at Milsons Point. To access the Milsons Point and Kirribilli areas, visitors must alight at North Sydney Station.

Metro services will run frequently throughout the day and into the early hours of New Year’s Day.

To access the Circular Quay viewpoints, visitors should alight at Martin Place and continue on foot towards the harbor and Circular Quay.

To access Darling Harbour, alight at Gadigal or Central stations.

To access the North Sydney viewpoints, the nearest tube station is Victoria Cross.

Buses will be affected by road closures and will stop at various locations throughout the night. Those arriving by bus will likely have to walk further than usual to get to viewpoints.

From 2 p.m., bus driving the normal head to Circular Quay will go to Martin Place instead.

Between 5pm and 7pm, buses will use temporary stops at Hyde Park, Wynyard, QVB and Town Hall.

From 3 p.m., buses in North Sydney will not run to Milsons Point or McMahons Point due to road closures.

Those who want to use ferries to get into the city are encouraged to leave earlier in the day as services quickly become overcrowded.

From around 17.30 the ferries will not sail to or from Circular Quay.

Light rail services will run regularly through the city, southeastern and inner western suburbs until 4 New Year’s Day.

Cycle paths and paths will be closed to people walking or cycling into the city – and places to lock bikes in the city will be limited.

There are also maritime exclusion zones in place for those considering taking to the water.

When do the early fireworks start?

There are plenty of events planned in the area throughout New Year’s Eve, but the the first main fireworks display will be launched at 21.00which is ideal for families who don’t want to stay up until midnight.

These will be Calling Country fireworks which will be presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through music, dance and illustration.

A Welcome to Country ceremony will precede this pyrotechnic display.

When does the main fireworks show start?

The countdown starts in the last 10 seconds of 11:59 p.m.

It is clear that the main fireworks will be launched on the strike of midnight to an accompanying soundtrack of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Sydney Opera House, barges and city buildings.

You can expect them to last around 20 minutes.

What other events are on?

There are other exciting events to take place leading up to the midnight fireworks.

ONE smoking ceremony will take place on the boat Tribal Warrior, Mari Nawi and Wirawi from 19.30.

Projections and lighting effects will animate the Sydney Harbor Bridge from 8.30pm onwards.

Both decorated with lights is scheduled to flick on from 9.15pm to create a visual spectacle.

In addition, there are a host of tickets for overnight harbor cruises, and certain venues hold their own events.

Where are the best vantage points to watch Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks?

There are many great spots throughout the city where you can watch the fireworks for free.

Some of the best vantage points include Sydney Opera House and Barangaroo Reserve.

Here are the best places to watch the fireworks at the Royal Botanic Gardens:

• Bennelong lawn (open to the public from 9 a.m.)
• Tarpeian lawn (open to the public from 9.30am)
• Mrs. Macquarie’s Point (open to the public from 10.00 a.m.)
• Fleet steps (open to the public from 10.00 a.m.)

Alcohol can be purchased from locations at these locations. You cannot bring your own drinks.

The The Opera House opens at 7 and Barangaroo Reserve from 12 noon. Last year, the Opera House area reached spectator capacity at 12.19.

Additional non-ticketed areas in the city where alcohol is prohibited include:

• Eastern Circular Quay
• West Circular Quay
• Campbell’s Cove
• The Rocks
• Observatory Hill Park
• Hickson Rd Reserve
• Dawes Point (Tar-Ra) Park

These places are open to the public from The Rocks at 1 pm and Observatory Hill Park from 12 noon.

Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve on the north side of the bridge will open from 9:30.

Locations scattered throughout the wider city include:

• Pyrmont
• Birchgrove
• Balmain East
• Darling Point
• Darling Harbour
• Point Piper
• Lavender Bay
• Vaucluse

For more information and live updates on the more than 30 vantage points across the city this year, visit the Sydney New Year’s Eve website.

To come home

After the fireworks end, many roads will be closed to both pedestrians and motorists.

There will be staff and signage around to help guide you to transport hubs.

The harbor bridge will be closed until 01.30. Those who wish to cross it must take a train or subway.

Those living in the Northern Beaches, Mosman, the Hills area and the North Shore can catch buses from Wynyard.

Sydneysiders in the eastern suburbs and inner west can catch buses around Hyde Park, while people in north-western suburbs such as Drummoyne and Ryde all the way to Parramatta can catch a bus from York St.

For those catching ferries, there will be limited services running after the fireworks.

If you feel up to it, the organizers recommend that spectators leave the city from 01.00 to avoid the midnight transport.

New Year’s Eve events in other parts of Sydney

What time are the Manly fireworks?

There will be fireworks at Manly Cove, East and West Esplanade Reserves at 21.00.

What time are the Bayview fireworks?

There will be fireworks at 9pm and midnight in Bayview. A number of vantage points are available from the foreshore areas at Newport, Mona Vale and Bayview.

What time are the Coogee fireworks?

Hosted by Randwick City Council Coogee Sparkles at Goldstein Reserve in Coogee, with roaming entertainment along the seafront from

There will be a 15-minute firework display near Dunningham Reserve at 9pm.

What time are the Dee Why fireworks?

There will be fireworks at 9pm at Dee Why Beach, with viewing access to The Strand, Ted Jackson Reserve and surrounding areas.

What time are the Frenchs Forest fireworks?

There will be fireworks at 9pm at Lionel Watts Reserve and Frenchs Forest Showground.

Visit the Northern Beaches Council website for more information on the Manly, Bayview, Dee Why and Frenchs Forest events.

What time are the Parramatta fireworks?

There will be one New Year’s Eve event in Parramatta Park from Fireworks are at 9:00 p.m.

What time are the Liverpool fireworks?

Liverpool Council’s New Year’s Eve event at Warwick Farm Racecourse will host fireworks at

How to watch the fireworks from home

For those wishing to watch the countdown to 2025 from home, ABC’s coverage starts on ABC TV and ABC iview from 20:30 with hosts Charlie Pickering, Zan Rowe and Concetta Caristo.

As part of the celebration, live performances from artists including G Flip, Cyril, Fanning Dempsey National Park, Becca Hatch, Casey Donovan, 1300 and Nooky will begin at the Sydney Opera House from 6pm. 21.08.

The headline act has been announced as Robbie Williams, who will perform a string of hits to ring in the new year.