carmen94

Hello Fodorites!

I'm heading to Sydney for New Years Eve this year and was hoping someone on these boards might be able to help me.

Quandry #1: I can't decide which would be better for fireworks watching. A $300 night abord a boat in the harbor, or swarming with millions on the ground. (If on the ground, where is the best viewiing point?) It's just me on this trip, and I'm a photographer, so capturing photos is going to be a major part of the night for me. Seems like a boat would be better for that, but what if the water's choppy?

Quandry #2. Since it is just lil' ol' me on this trip, I was hoping maybe I could find some Sydney natives on a message board or something who might be willing to let me tag along with them and their friends on NYE, or who might want to go on the boat with me. Any idea of a message board that would suit for that kind of thing?

Thanks for your help in advance.
Carmen

Alan

Hi, Carmen94!

While I have never been in a boat for NYE, I really think that the choppiness of the water is not a factor you will have to worry about. The harbour is almost always like a sheet of glass. A more likely factor is movement of the boat while everyone on board is jostling for the best view. If possible, choose a small boat!

I really think that a search above is warranted for your request, for my memory is that, about six months ago, there WAS mention of a guy with a boat somewhere north of Sydney (Maybe Broken Bay?)who was prepared to rent out the boat for New Year. You's be just the kind of person he was aiming at.... and vice-versa.

If you decide to just mill around with the throng, then the best vantage point would be around the Opera House. Unfortunately, that's an open secret, and you will be sharing the spot with the population of a medium-sized European country. Another place I always liked is the Cahill Expressway. At least here -- if you get there early afternoon and set your tripod up right against the protective railing -- you should be assured of an unobstructed view where no one will stand in front of you. This location used to be free, but lately the council has been charging -- only about five dollars, I think -- for the privilege of standing there, which might work in your favour.... it will at least deter large families!

christellefv

I was at the Balmain's Darling Street Wharf for the NYE2005 fireworks! It was an awesome spot... All locals... People had their BBQ... Music... Some spent all day there (including my group!) to be in front of the park near the water! I had a GREAT time!

http://www.christellefv.com/holidays/australia/jan.html

The 2 first pics are from Balmain and the fireworks!

You're lucky you'll be there for NYE! It's awesome...!!!

carmen94

Alan,

Your comment about the small European country A) made me laugh and B) confirmed what I thought about watching from the ground. Do you live in Sydney? Could I ask you more questions beyond NYE?

Christellefv - Your pictures were a big help! Thank you for your response as well. I am, indeed, very lucky to be in Sydney for NYE. It was the top of my list of places to visit! It's essentially my dream trip. I don't know where I'll go after that, I've been looking forward to Oz for so long!

Tassietwister

The best view I ever had of the fireworks was from Garden Island dickyard. I was guest as it was not open to the general public for the year 2000. I am not sure if this is the case every year. Because it is crowd controlled plenty of room and also a very interesting place with some history. All the CNN,SkyNews etc have all their cameramen at this site so the view of the fireworks is similar to what you see on TV.

Maybe check out if they have some general public admission, if not find a dockyard friend!

pat_woolford

What a wonderful typo, Tassietwister - Garden Island dickyard.

Used to watch fireworks from around Botanical Gardens, but it was crowded years ago, so its probably packed now.

Geordie

During the nineties I used to go to the roof of the Glenmore in Cumberland St in The Rocks, here's a link http://www.sydneypubguide.net/pubs/Glenmore.aspx

There would only be a couple of people there as it had no tables or chairs and it was not a particularly popular pub. You had to go downstairs for the beer but there were no queues. Now looking at their website it seems they've made it into a proper roof bar and its packed, the only downside was that you couldn't see the finale with the fireworks on the Harbour Bridge but when you see the crowds on te Forecourt I'm prepared to miss it.

Geordie

Peteralan

A Freudian slip there Tassietwister ?

Mucky

Hi carmen94,
We were lucky enought to be in Sydney NYE 03/04.
As Alan rightly says, probably one of the best places to be is by the Opera house. This is where we were, however there were many corporate areas sectioned off and therefore some of the best places are taken. In fairness to the Sydney Authorities, the amount of people let into this area was limited and when we were there it was busy but by no means full. The gates are shut before it becomes dangerously uncomfortable.
We entered this area at midday, got the best seats on the wall opposite the bridge with the OH to our right and sat for 12 hours !!. Strange really as I would never ever do anything like that for any other reason. But this display was one of our main reasons for being in Oz. I know one of the Fodors contributers 'Patw' took a harbour boat which she said was great but the music was too loud, maybe she can come back and tell you about it, if I can find her thread I will post it.

Good luck with the boat idea, Alan have you bought a boat yet?

Good Luck

Muck

Tassietwister

ooops, have a red face

Mind you when I was there for Year 2000 the Packers, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman et al were all moored in their overpriced flotation devices at Garden Island so perhaps yes! a freudian slip, even though "i" and "o" are right by each other on the keyboard.

crikey......

Geordie

For NYE 2000 my wife won 5 tickets to the Opera House Party on the Forecourt, which were normally priced at $750 each.

We had a great time there were only about 2,000 tickets so there was plenty of room and no queues for the loo. The entertainment was provided by Jono Coleman and various artists Amoroso?, Neil Finn etc.

We could stand where we wanted to view all the fireworks and they also used the side of the Opera House for an acrobatic show, so it was an unbelievable experience for free.

Geordie

111op

Well, this is for a year later -- NYE 2006.

I did some web searches, and I found a list of vantage points listed here:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/n...s/Default.html

Can someone comment on these? I'm thinking, in particular, of Mrs. Macquaries Point. The capacity is 25000. But the website doesn't say when the area fills up. Is this an ok area to try to go to? The website claims the Opera House fills up around 4 in the afternoon.

I also found info for a boat cruise here:

http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com.au/

The cruise is 425 AUD per person. Seems a bit steep!

prue

I don't know whether you have tried this or not - but I just entered 'New Years Eve Sydney' in the Search box at the top of the page and got a string of replies - which might be of interest.

111op

Thanks. I read a few last night, but I figured that I could top one for more info.