Ok so I apologise in advance for this question, but we have been agonsising over this one for ages.
So NY eve we are in Sydney (where else!!!) and i am trying to decide what to do. Cruise/dinner is out as The Bf and i dont want to spend 6 hours on a boat and A$690 each.
Not sure i want to do the picnic thing cause we don't want to have to "bag" a spot early and then be there all day.
SO i was thinking of getting tickets for the opera bar A$250 each!!! just for nibbles and entry but i think it has music and entertaiment too and of course a GREAT view.
can anyone offer an opinion on this OR an alternative?
Many thanks
Smeagol

If you want to do the cheapie picnic version you really don't have to sit there all day. We usually walk down at the last minute (we are about 10 minutes from the foreshore in the inner west) and usually we get a very good view. There are lots of different vantage points to see the fireworks, there's often a map in the paper a couple of days before that discusses the different possibilities.

That said, the Opera House could be very special. Also I think there are quite a lot of other places you can book.

Many thanks for your response.
Can you recommend any other pubs that would be good?

There is a pub in Cumberland st, The Rocks that has a great view from the roof (right across to the Opera House). It's a fairly ordinary unrenovated pub. I can't remember the name, I'll have a look for you.

I have seen ads in the bar in the Overseas passenger terminal for NYE. It's called Cruise. ph: 61 2 9251 1188.

Smeagol, Here's the official website for NYE produced by the City of Sydney. It has all the vantage points I mentioned, plus a range of cruises, one is referred to as budget. Maybe that would be a cheaper option:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/

the 'old' fashioned pub in cumberland st the rocks is the glenmore.the roof top bar is worth a look if you doing a pub crawl of the rocks.(it is the best way to experience the rocks)

The great thing about Sydney NYE when we got there at 12:00 midday for our spot a few years ago (03/04) was that we didn't have to. !

The areas close to the opera house are very very busy BUT well controlled and not packed. People were still entering the various zones at 8-9pm.
We could easily have got a great view if we had come in then, lets face it the fireworks are upwards !

The security is very strict and they control the admissions very well, if an area is looking full they close it.

Its a great night enjoy it. If you can nip out early in the morning and see if there is any visible indication of 5 million people having been there, do so. All rubbish gone and life as normal.

Good luck

Muck