Some of Sydney’s most iconic vantage spots for the notorious New Years Eve firework display are already full, after crowds began gathering in the early hours of the morning.
More than one million people are expected to flood the Harbour City on Sunday, with viewing areas at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, the Royal Botanic Garden, the Domain and the Opera House full by 11.20am.
The City of Sydney council is providing updates on its website to eager revellers, with the most sought out spots already at full capacity with 1 million people expect to gather in the city to catch the display.
The large numbers have prompted NSW Transport to implement additional train and bus services in and around the city, with 1000 trains expected to pass through the area into the night.
Thousands of people began gathering as early as 5am around the city in the hopes of getting a front-row-seat.
One group of men lined up for three days at the Domain, as the line began moving just before 8am to allow people into the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Revellers are seen at Mrs Macquaries Point, ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney
There’s a party atmosphere around the Harbour City
Those hoping to get a good vantage point had to get their early
Young revellers living it up on the last day of 2023
2024 here we come! It’s already party time at Mrs Macquaries Point
more videos
- 1
- 2
- 3
People have also been lining up since midnight at the Opera House, with footage showing the crowds running towards the fence at the harbour for a good view.
Meanwhile, others set up tents on Cockatoo Island and camped overnight.
Those who have been queuing overnight have had to deal with damp and cool conditions with the weather not expected to clear until later into Sunday.
For those that weren’t willing to get out overnight or line up or morning there are still plenty of places to get a good view of the fireworks with the City of Sydney listing 49 vantage points for the display.
Eleven of those are sold out after they went through a ballot system to control numbers and rolling updates can be found on the other 38 areas via the Sydney Council website.
A change has also been made this year, with harbour venues being free to enter after the NSW government scrapped the ticketing system that had been in place.
As for the weather, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting showers but it is only expected to be light and there isn’t any real heavy showers forecast to put a damper on things.
For the midnight fireworks display, the temperature is expected to be 21°C with some cloud cover and maybe a shower, but certainly nothing that is expected to quell the enthusiasm of the crowds.
A lone ibis (aka bin chicken) is pictured waiting patiently as crowds gather to ring in the new year in Sydney
Hundreds of thousands of revellers are expected to flock into the city to usher in the new year
A couple tow an esky as they prepare to camp out all day to watch the 2024 fireworks
More than 400,000 people are expected to use public transport and over a million people are expected to gather for the display
Thousands of people have gathered in multiple places around the city in the hopes of getting a front-row seat
Crowds line up in The Domain to gain access to Mrs Macquarie Chair for the fireworks on December 31, 2023 in Sydney,
This picture shows just how busy it is as people battle for the best spots to watch the fireworks and see in the new year
Others may laugh at those with umbrellas when it’s not raining, but they won’t be laughing later when it is raining
Crowds have already started forming in and around Sydney Harbour by eager revellers keen to get a good vantage point for the city’s notorious firework display
More than 400,000 people are expected to use public transport and more than a million people are expected to gather for the display.
Due to the large number of people expected to use public transport thousands of extra services will be running across the city.
Extra trains will run all day and into the New Year, with some stations having altered arrangements to help manage large crowd numbers.
More than 1000 trains are expected to pass through the city.
Trains will not drop passengers off at Circular Quay station between 3pm and midnight, it will be pick up only, passengers are urged to depart at Wynyard, St James and Martin Place stations and continue on foot.
From 6pm to midnight trains running from the city will not stop at Milsons Point for easy access to viewing areas in the area. Passengers are being advised to get off at North Sydney station.
A large police presence is expected in the city among the revellers, NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley thanking them for their efforts
More than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks are planned for the displays at 9pm and 12pm, with a 60 man crew and over 11km of cable needed for the event
Crowds began to form in the early morning on Sunday as Aussies raced to the best vantage points in Sydney
Cooler bags and camping gear are a common sight among Sydneysiders as they prepare to spend the entire day outdoors waiting for the midnight fireworks
Revellers (pictured) turned out in large numbers to celebrate the new year in Sydney,
If the man using his mobile (pictured) early on Sunday afternoon keeps doing so, the battery may not last until the new year
Footwear is optional at this gathering at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in Sydney to ring in the new year
With rain forecast before the night is out, these women wrapped in bin bags have come well prepared
What could be more perfect in Sydney on new year’s eve than to have a view of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge?
Sometimes the best vantage point is an open cave, kindly provided by mother nature thousands of years ago