There’s something magical about ringing in the New Year’s Eve in Sydney, Australia. Not only do you get to be one of the first major cities in the world to greet the coming year, but you also get to experience the world-class destination that is Sydney. If you’re planning a Sydney New Year’s Eve celebration, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Where to Stay in Sydney New Year’s Eve
Many hotels in Sydney require a minimum stay of 3-5 days when booking a hotel room for New Year’s Eve so plan your vacation wisely. This is also the most expensive time of year to book a stay in Sydney so planning far in advance is advisable. Many of the harbor-view hotels fill up a year in advance but with careful planning ahead they are worth the expense. Many of these hotels offer in-house celebrations so you can bring in the new year without venturing out into the city. The Park Hyatt, Shangri La Hotel, and Macleay hotels are all consistently voted some of the best places to stay in Sydney New Year’s Eve.
What to Do on New Year’s Eve in Sydney
If you plan on venturing out of your hotel for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, Sydney offer options for everyone. The fireworks over the harbor are hosted by the Sydney City Council, which posts maps and vantage points on their website in advance of the event. In recent years, the government has expanded the alcohol-free zones designated on New Year’s Eve. Be sure to plan ahead by referencing the website if you want to have a cocktail while celebrating. The city can be quite crowded as evening approaches on New Year’s Eve. If you’re wanting a good vantage point from which to view the fireworks, a ticketed venue may be your best bet. Among the favorites are the Royal Botanic Gardens, Barangaroo or the National Parks and Wildlife Harbour Islands.
Where to Eat on New Year’s Eve in Sydney
If you’d like to enjoy some fine dining along with your fireworks, there are plenty of harbor view restaurants. Needless to say, you’ll need advance reservations but these don’t fill up as early as some dedicated ticketed events. Many of these restaurants offer special Sydney New Year’s Eve menus. Among local favorites are Aria, Sydney Cove Oyster Bar, Bennelong at the Opera House, O Bar and Dining, Cafe Sydney, Quay, and the Park Hyatt. Alternatively, there will be plenty of food to be found in the public event areas as well if you don’t mind braving the crowds.
Royal Botanical Gardens on New Year’s Eve
One of the most popular areas to celebrate a Sydney New Year’s Eve is the Royal Botanical Gardens. Located across the harbor from the famous Sydney Opera House, it offers unparalleled views. The venue offers a wide variety of events on New Year’s Eve. For enjoying the celebration as a family, opt for the Lawn picnic or circus-themed Harbour Hoopla. An adults-only event is held at The Point, which offers the best views of the fireworks. There is also an adult only dinner with panoramic views at the Midnight at the Oasis event as well. Finally, you can ring in the New Year with an exclusive cocktail party at the Calyx. There you’ll enjoy free-flowing bubbles at midnight to celebrate! Tickets for all of these events sell out well in advance so booking early is a necessity.
Planning a Sydney New Year’s Eve vacation is the perfect way to start the coming year right. Will you be spending New Year’s Eve in Sydney? For even more resources for planning your trip, explore the best luxury travel in Australia.
