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Celebrating New Year's Eve
in Sydney!
It's a real blast
all over Sydney, the first city to celebrate the New Year.
By Correspondent Joanna Hall in Sydney
The weather was poised
to spoil the 2002 New Year's Eve celebrations, but the thousands who
braved the drizzle and cooler-than-normal temperatures were treated
to yet another jaw-dropping fireworks display. Just when you think it
can't get any better, the organisers pull something special out of the
hat and raise the standards of the greatest show on earth. And if the
rumours circulating among those in the know are true, the plans for
2003 are equally sensational.
As ever, the format starts with a practice run at 9pm
designed for families, followed by the main event at the stroke of midnight.
But if you don't have a city centre hotel room, or a friend with a pad
in the thick of the action, there are a number of options for serious
partygoers to get a glimpse of the colourful celebrations.
Getting Around
There are two basic rules for getting around on the day.
First, leave your car at home. Second, go early to avoid delays and
missing out on all the fun. You should also prepare for a long day,
regardless of where you go and what you plan do. Even though the fireworks
end around 12.15am, the party goes on until dawn and moving thousands
of people out of the city at the end of it all takes lots of time and
patience.
The city begins to wind down in earnest around midday
in preparation for the big event. Roads throughout the city centre,
Circular Quay and the harbour foreshore are temporarily closed, including
the centrepiece of the display, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. To check
on specific road closures, call the RTA traffic infoline on 132-701.
But public transport arrangements are excellent
on the day. Ferries, buses and trains run on special timetables throughout
the day and night, although the ferries stop temporarily between 7pm
and 1am. Call the transport infoline on 131-500 for up-to-date information,
and advice on getting to and from your chosen destination.
Party on the Water
 Whether
you choose a cruise or an island jaunt, both offer a unique view of
the action. Most of Sydney's harbour cruise companies - such as Ausail
or Sydney Harbour Charters - offer private and shared charters on the
night, with prices ranging from $140 to $275 a head. Many are booked
well in advance, however, although it's worth enquiring nearer the time
in case of any cancellations. Contact the Sydney Tourist Information
Office (9255-1788) or NSW Visitor Information (132-077) for an up-to-date
list of operators.
You can also hire a water taxi to either get you to your
destination or get you close-up view of the fireworks. Try Dolphin Water
Taxis on 1-300-130-742 or call call the Sydney Tourist Information Office
(9255-1788) or NSW Visitor Information (132-077) for an up-to-date list
of operators.
Sydney Harbour's tiny islands, including Pinchgut (Fort
Denison), Goat, Shark and Clark Islands, offer a great alternative to
a cruise, but tickets are expensive and hard to come by. Pinchgut is
literally spitting distance from the Bridge, and by far the best spot.
A ticket for NYE cost around $270, but it does guarantee an excellent
viewing spot, free entertainment and a fun ferry ride there and back.
Call the National Parks and Wildlife Service (9247-5033) for further
information and availability.
Party in the Air
The most expensive option is to fly over the action, but
it comes with a great deal of risk as well as a hefty price tag. Youıre
expected to pay the entire cost up front and there's no refund policy;
if bad weather prevents you from going up (as happened last year) you
lose your money.
A safer and more comfortable option is to book a table
at one one of Sydney's high rise restaurants. The revolving restaurant
atop Centrepoint on Pitt Street is always popular even though
the food isn't that spectacular. But the unique 360-degree view of the
city, and the fireworks, makes up for the pricey menu. Assuming you
can book a table, expect to pay something in the region of $160-$210
a head depending on where you're seated.
Another stunning elevated spot is Unkai, the lavish
gourmet Japanese restaurant atop the Shangri La Hotel in The Rocks.
Window tables are always booked out a couple of weeks in advance during
normal times, but if you get in quick you might be lucky. The ones situated
further back still afford panoramic views, as well as some of the best
Japanese food in town.
Party on the Bridge
Last year, the RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority) offered
a limited number of tickets to view the fireworks display from the dress
circle position of the Cahill Expressway deck above Circular Quay. The
emphasis is on family fun - no alcohol or glass allowed - but the venue
offers a unique view of the event.
Tickets are available for both the 9pm and midnight displays.
They haven't confirmed a price at writing, but last year they were a
bargain at only $5 each. Tickets can be purchased from several RTA motor
registry offices in the Sydney metropolitan area, including Surry Hills,
Chatswood , Five Dock , Maroubra , Miranda, North Sydney, Parramatta
and Wynyard. Proceeds go to charity or a worthy local cause.
Party Around the Pubs
If you don't fancy risking the weather, you can watch
all the action on Channel 9 on a big screen in one of Sydney's many
pubs and bars. Be warned, though, the crowds are always as huge inside
as they are outside, and it may take half an hour to get to the front
of the bar for a beer. Some venues also impose a cover charge from around
9pm.
Many nightclubs also lay on special NYE parties, kicking
off around 10pm and continuing until dawn. Tickets have to be purchased
in advance and are always limited. Pick up a copy of Drum Media
or The Brag (free, available in many city cafes, shops and bars),
or check with the weekend newspapers before the big day.
The pick of the pubs in the heart of the action include
The Slip Inn (111 Sussex Street, Circular Quay), The Quay
Bar (Customs House, 31 Alfred Street (Circular Quay), The
Orient Hotel (89 George Street, The Rocks), The Score Bar
(Star City Casino, Darling Harbour), Aqua Luna (Opera Quays,
East Circular Quay), The Australian Hotel (100 Cumberland Street,
The Rocks), and The Lord Nelson Brewery (19 Kent Street, The
Rocks).
For parties further afield, try The Clock Hotel (470
Crown Street, Surry Hills), The Palace Hotel (122 Flinders Street,
Darlinghurst), Hugo's Lounge (33 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross),
Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel (2 Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo), the
Beach Road Hotel (71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach), and the Ivanhoe
of Manly (The Corso, Manly).
Party Around the Harbor
The picturesque Sydney Harbour foreshore offers
plenty of opportunities for partygoers to see the action for free. But
to bag the perfect spot, you need to plan ahead, go early and be prepared
for a long wait.
Mrs. Macquarie's Chair is a spectacular vantage
point, but also one of the most popular. Situated in an outlet along
from the Opera House, it faces the Harbour Bridge and offers unparalleled
views.
Sydney Opera House is closed to the public on the
night, but the adjacent walkway has plenty of atmosphere if you don't
mind squeezing in there with thousands of other people.
Blues Point Reserve is an expansive area north
of the Bridge offering great views. Milsons Point and Luna Park are
situated right next to the Bridge, and both offer close-up views of
the action.
Dawes Point is on the south side of the Bridge,
and another popular option for in-your-face views of the fireworks.
Being in The Rocks area it is close to some of the best pubs - and therefore
parties - in the city.
Balmain Wharf offers a more intimate atmosphere.
There are large areas of parkland along both sides, accommodating mostly
crowds of locals and families.
Bradley's Head sits at the tail end of the long
spit that leads up to Taronga Zoo, and has incredible views of the city
from the north side. A bonus here is that the crowds are always lighter
than in the city.
North Head offers a distant view of the action,
but this quiet spot on the northern side of the entrance to Sydney Harbour
attracts mostly locals from the Northern Beaches. With the Tasman Sea
to your left, and the Harbour to your right, itıs hard not to be charmed
by the cool breezes and vistas.
South Head offers a similar atmosphere - and views
- in reverse, and perhaps a slightly better view of the distant fireworks.
A bonus here is Hornby Lighthouse, which adds a special touch to an
already magical scene.
The author and husband love soaking up the Sydney sun and atmosphere.
Joanna Hall is a feature writer specialising in travel,
and a partner in the Sydney-based media company, Seahorse Media
Sydney
City & Bar Guide
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