Hi Again,
Well, since it's now November I can say I am heading to OZ next month. That makes it seem even closer. We'll be in SYD Dec 29 to Jan 3.
We were thinking of going to the Royal Botanical Garden (becoming a "friend of" the RBG by donating money enables you to buy admission to the area for the fireworks)BUT what have other people done on New Years Eve? Living in NJ I've done the 4th of July fireworks a lot and there are lots of great places to watch them, crowded but great viewing for free)
Would we find places to view the fireworks without having to stake a claim at 2:00PM? We'll be staying up by Liverpool Street and love walking. Would walking be our only option to get back there from the fireworks area?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Pat

Pat-

See the post i've just topped up for you that discusses all this.

Hi, patw!

The Botanical Gardens is a large area, but most of it doesn't afford a view of the Harbour Bridge, which is the site of the most spectacular fireworks display; and you can bet that the bit that DOES let you see the Bridge will be packed out from mid-morning. So, if the donation to become a friend is anything significant, I don't think I'd bother.

If you are in Liverpool Street you are well-placed to walk to any one of a dozen good viewing sites; I guess the point is whether you are prepared to give up your whole afternoon to claim a spot. The longer you leave it, the less chance you will have of getting anything more than standing room. I used to pride myself on knowing one of the secret spots where no-one turned up until a couple of hours prior to viewing; however, the Sydney Council found out about it and slapped an entry fee on it, and, of course, that alerted half of Sydney to how good it was. Oh, well. All these great ideas come unstuck sooner or later... I remember how, for the 1988 celebrations, I just stopped the car on the expressway leading up to the bridge, and had a perfect view. Today, any such action would result in you having a nice view of the prison exercise area for the next six months!

This year, I am going to try for the north side of the Bridge. There are lots of great areas around there, but the main problem is their distance from the railway stations and the unavailability of parking. Later this month I will do some sleuthing and report back -- but my advice to you is, whatever you choose, be prepared to give up at least half an afternoon, and bring a large picnic blanket to discourage people from intruding on "your" spot. If you don't know which one to choose, just leave your hotel at 2 p.m. and follow the crowds!

If we are in town at new years we walk to Balls Head Reserve with a bottle of champers at about 10.30 pm. Always get a good view of the new years and olympic fireworks etc.

On the north side,alight at Waverton station.

Not too many tourists at Balls head.

Hi, John!
I know Ball's Head Reserve, but isn't it looking at the "wrong" (i.e.western face)side of the Bridge.... can you really see the best parts from there? It's such an easy walk from Waverton Station that I would choose it in a minute if I knew the view was good, but I admit that I discarded it AND Blues Point Reserve AND the reserve at the end of Shirley Street because I thought that the best I could hope for there would be a view of Darling Harbour's activities. Tell me that Ball's Head lets you see the lot, and I will make the decision now about where to suggest the Fodorites meet on New Year's Eve. Thanks!

Alan,
as always you are correct...it is not easy to read "Eternity" backwards.

However Balls head does have an excellent side on view of the bridge and I believe it less crowded and possibly better accessed than other spots.

Berrys island at the end of shirley road does not have a view of the bridge.

I would guess that cremorne point and Bradleys head are the premier north side spots to the east of the bridge.

BTW now that there is a public path in the front of Wondakiah it is possible to do a good north side
foreshore walk from Wollstonecraft station via berrys island to Balls head and on to north sydney.

Have a picnic at Balls head/stop for coffee and cake at Whithams coffee house at Waverton and have a few beers at the old fashioned Blues Point hotel.

Catch the ferry from Blues point back to the quay.

John, you are starting to sound VERY convincing, and I am sorely tempted to go for your idea.... certainly I know that, for visitors who don't have a car, getting back to the hotel from the viewing site AFTER the fireworks is the very hardest part of the evening -- even with a taxi, you'd sit in a traffic jam for ages. But the trains always get through.... and Ball's Head is only ten minutes' stroll from Waverton Station! I think the Fodorites who are Sydney-bound on New Year's Eve might be willing to put up with a sideways view for the convenience that this site offers, especially if, as you say, it is less-crowded than most others. Methinks I will trot out that way next week and check things out first-hand.... meanwhile, thanks a million for the tip!