Where is the best spot to watch the NYE fireworks at Sydney ?

[ashleyn]

Just forked out a King's ransom to get to Sydney for 3 nights to check out the fireworks. One of those bucket list things. Anyway, can the locals please provide the plusses and minuses of the various vantage points and any tip and tricks ? I'm staying in Darling Harbour and not interested in spending another $1000 to go on a boat.

 

[cove]

We only know the Macquarie Street side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge so we haven't tried anywhere else. You get really good views fom the Opera House side of the SHB.

 

[moa999]

Couple of questions - are you prepared to pay, are you prepared to camp out all day.

Pay - recent years have had high quality spots, some alcohol included, in the opera house forecourt
Camp out - Mrs Mac chair, Kirribilli waterfront,
Close but easier last minute - Embarkation Park in Potts Point

 

[Alanslegal]

Unless you have a friend that lives in a nice apartment (hint hint Cove ) overlooking the harbour and know someone with a 40 footer, then expect to do 1 of 2 things if you want the best vantage spots. You either 1) get to those free places littered along the harbour like at 7am in the morning and camp yourself there or 2) pay up big and go to Cruise Bar at the Passenger Terminal at The Rocks, or Opera Bar just under the Opera House.

The fireworks at Darling Harbour, one at 9pm, is family orientated however not as great as the ones on the harbour if you want the best. I'd recommended Opera Bar if you are as a single, couple or a group but no kids but unobstructed views to the SHB and around. It will be in the $500 mark though.

 

[cove]

The last time we had to book extra rooms it was $580 night at the Stamford and the Intercontinental but it was for a minimum number of nights like three or four so it felt like a kings ransom. I haven't thought about this NYE as Mrscove is the big kahuna on social stuff.
We are currently in London wearing sunglasses today so we are into special events.
Alanslegal we need to do a drinks night in Sydney...the drinks should help the ideas.

 

[markis10]

The last time we had to book extra rooms it was $580 night at the Stamford and the Intercontinental but it was for a minimum number of nights like three or four so it felt like a kings ransom. I haven't thought about this NYE as Mrscove is the big kahuna on social stuff.
We are currently in London wearing sunglasses today so we are into special events.
Alanslegal we need to do a drinks night in Sydney...the drinks should help the ideas.

The IC is available for $630 a night or 50K of points per night which is $350 dollars worth, hmmm, think the points option might be best....

 

[cove]

Good thinking markis10 !
I must stop thinking of my IC card as a dining discount only card seeing Burswood has gone to the dark side in Perth so that discount has left the building. It is hello Hyatt in Perth for discount dining.
Wow $630 is pretty high as a per night cost if you have as few Priority Club points as we have.

 

[amaroo]

Fort Denison NYE event/dinner is pretty special :idea: ........not a bad bucket list event.

 

[Deleted member]

Fort Denison NYE event/dinner is pretty special :idea: ........not a bad bucket list event.

Oooh tell me more

 

[markis10]

Good thinking markis10 !
I must stop thinking of my IC card as a dining discount only card seeing Burswood has gone to the dark side in Perth so that discount has left the building. It is hello Hyatt in Perth for discount dining.
Wow $630 is pretty high as a per night cost if you have as few Priority Club points as we have.

You only need to keep 5K in the account to get as many points as you want at $35 per 5k.

 

[markis10]

Oooh tell me more

Over $1000 per head......pretty good list of alternatives here:

http://www.squidoo.com/new-years-eve-in-sydney

 

[Homer]

As a local, I have some advice. But my disclaimer is that for the last 10 years we've had a view of the harbour bridge from our home so I haven't been to most of the things I'm going to comment on. My views are just based on talking to friends about their experiences.

If the budget will stretch, I think Fort Denison, as has already been suggested, is one of the best places to see the show. The other good option is an invitation to the Lord Mayor's NYE Party at the Opera House. Both are expensive. A boat moored at Athol Bay (near Taronga Zoo) or Farm Cove (near the Opera House) is also a cracker of an option. We've done this one. But you really need to have your skipper camping out for a couple of days in advance to secure the best spot and accept food and champagne deliveries and you have to stay put overnight so I wouldn't do it in anything less than about a 40 footer...and bigger if I was inviting a few friends...but that's just me .

A less expensive option is a venue such as Quay at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. For the rest of the year it is Australia's best restaurant but on NYE they usually do a stand-up coughtail party function. If it isn't too crowded you can get wrap-around views extending from the Bridge to the House and it's usually around $300-$500 per head.

There are also a number of very inexpensive options such as Dawes Point Reserve and Observatory Hill which the City of Sydney operates on the night. The former is too close to the fireworks in my opinion - almost directly under the bridge - but it does have stadium seating and an open air dance floor and DJ. You really feel as though you are right in amongst the action at a place like this but then you have to come back another year and see it all from a little further back (like Fort Denison) .

I hope that helps.

 

[JohnK]

Depends how close you want to be to the fireworks.

I hate going to the city and for me Gladesville Bridge at Drummoyne was quite Ok as was Abbotsford on the riverbank.