Top 10 Destinations for Sydney New Years Eve
Where are the best spots for Sydney New Years Eve?
Australia is one of the first in the world to toast in the new year. More than a billion people globally tune in to the LIVE broadcast of our world-class pyrotechnic shows. The Sydney New Years Eve is brought to a standstill in a spectacle of daytime aerial shows, a parade of harbour lights, finally culminating in a multimillion-dollar sky flaring art display powered with over 8 tonnes of fireworks. It’s a national tradition with close to 2 million people descending into the city. Whether you’re new to Sydney, visiting it for the first time or looking to make it a night to remember, we explore some of the hippest vantage points in the thick of all the action and some worthy of note alternatives.
1. THE ISLAND SYDNEY
The Island Sydney is a member-based floating club and applications are encouraged from those with tough skin. Quite simply, when requesting membership, it helps if you’re referred in as it works on a polite but inevitable “don’t call us, we’ll call you” basis. The demand is so great for this place, it’s just impossible to respond to everyone due to the sheer volume of requests so don’t take it personally if you don’t hear back. Just hang in there and keep trying as they have a whole string of events lined up including some new innovations in the new year!
But if you are lucky enough to get into one of the city’s most exclusive Sydney New Year’s Eve parties, you’ll enjoy prime views of the entire city skyline with the spectacular 9pm and Midnight fireworks show providing the backdrop for this ocean panorama. They’ve received special permission from Maritime Services to anchor ‘The Island’ floating club and bar in the exclusion zone for small boats. This is located between Cockatoo Island and Clarke Island. Just 500 metres from the Sydney Opera House, a deluxe range of canapes to complete the premium bar service of beer, wine and spirits. And of course, Champagne for the midnight toast. It’s one of the most coveted tickets in town, with no other venue able to match some of the exclusive extravagances this one does to usher in a New Year.
When: From 8pm to 1am
Location: The Island Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Price: Apply to purchase tickets on Membership Approval
Organizer: The Island Sydney
Where to stay: Sydney Harbour
2. SYDNEY TOWER BUFFETT
Now if it’s panoramic views you like, we do have another option for you offering the same – only this one stands 309 metres (1013 feet) or 95 storeys high in the iconic.
Sydney Tower Eye and its sky-high “360 Bar & Dining” restaurant will be putting out an unlimited buffet spread of over 55 gourmet dishes. Matched with an endless flow of wine, beer and soft drinks, a live band will be providing entertainment. A balloon entertainer with colour and squeak twisting creations will be on standby for the kids as the floor to ceiling windows provide views of all the action across the major city landmarks up in the air amongst all the sky filled hues and sparkle. For groups of 10 or more, receive one complimentary ticket.
City of Sydney and NSW Transport are no stranger to the swarms of crowds that will be flocking to the CBD all day. You can be assured a swift exit back out thanks to all the extra public transport services, coordinated road closures and police services that will be on hand.
However, why not build a short staycation into your night out? Save yourself the hassle of unavoidable waits for your taxis and uber and check-in to one of these properties that will also be hosting their own Sydney New Years Eve events in prime view of the main attractions.
When: From 7:30pm to 12:30am
Location: Sydney Sky Tower, Market Street, Sydney
Price: Adults $550 | Kids $250 (3-12 yrs old)
Organizer: SkyFeast
Where to stay: Hyde Park
3. PIER ONE
Pier One offers 189 guest rooms under the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is a 106-year-old former shipping wharf. If the plethora of pillow choices are anything to go by (ie. Pillow menu: Standard polyester pillows, plus feather/down, pure natural latex, contour memory foam and boomerang pillows on request) – it’s bound to be an experience taking you to realms of luxury many can only dream of.
The set up will be like its own makeshift festival with pop up bars pouring Absolut & Havana Rum cocktails, wine, craft beers and Chandon. The street-style food stalls will be serving Seafood Paella, Kerrigan mini-burgers, Pork Bao Buns, Oyster Bars, Cheese & Charcuterie grazing tables. Live acts provide the soundtrack to the party to end all parties.
When: From 8:30pm to 1am
Location: Pier One, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Price: From $499 per person
Organizer: Pier One
Where to stay: Walsh Bay
4. THE TERNARY MASQUERADE EXTRAVAGANZA
The Novotel Darling Harbour’s in-house bar, Asian kitchen and grill will play host to a cocktail masquerade ball. A 15th Century tradition reserved only for the most elite, it was a playful way to bring a crowd together as they attempted to guess one’s identity. The colour choice and design, a discreet means to assert freedom of speech, emotion or send hidden messages to one another.
The Ternary’s revival of the masquerade will lead you into an inescapable ripple of choreography on the dance floor as live bands and DJs dance you through the end of the year. Free-flowing beverages and food for 5 hours, on-site parking is available and there are some compelling rates to choose from if you’re looking to procure one of the 525 guest rooms available for the evening.
When: TBA 2021
Location: Murray Street, Pyrmont
Price: TBA
Organizer: The Ternary
Where to stay: Darling Harbour
5. PALAIS at LUNA PARK’S HARBOUR PARTY
The Deck Restaurant’s private venue space, Palais, is the most coveted ticket within the Luna Park space and the best vantage point at Harbour Party just 600 metres away from the main attraction. Canapes and a select Chef’s carvery will be served with a premium selection of wines, beer and house spirits. The private boardwalk features a prime view of the main landmarks for the fireworks show and tickets include priority entry to the Big Top, all Luna Park rides and Crystal Palace VIP lounges.
When: From 7pm to 12.30am
Location: Olympic Drive, Milsons Point
Price: second release tickets are still available, $129 per person
Organizer: Luna Park
Where to stay: North Sydney
For those with a propensity to avoid the mass mobs this year, know that you still have some spectacular options available to you should you be looking to venture outside of the usual hotspots and looking for that flavour of quirk as you twerk and work your way into the new year…
6. NYE IN THE PARK
It’s for the uber-cool urbanites who prefer to march to the beat of their own drum. Going against the grain, the 9-hectare park hosts an escape from the drama of the CBD with a stellar lineup of DJs and live acts set across two stage areas with matching dance floors. Grazing through the park you’ll find pop up bars, gourmet street food vendors and spaces throughout to chill with your crew, starting the new year on an easygoing relaxed note. The countdown takes place before the main screen where all punters converge to welcome 2021. The atmosphere is one great way to see into the new year.
When: TBA 2021
Location: Victoria Park, corner of Parramatta Road and City Road, Camperdown
Price: TBA
Organizer: NYE in the Park
Where to stay: Camperdown
7. LAST DANCE NYE
If there’s anything worth gambling your New Year’s Eve plans for, it’s this! Just over an hour south of Sydney (75km), the ultimate party people at FBi Radio and Resident Advisor present their beachside pop-up event. The setting at an undisclosed warehouse location to be revealed closer to the date if not on the night to ticket holders.
The only information you have to go off is its Wollongong location somewhere on Bulli Beach.
When: TBA 2021
Location: Secret Warhouse Party, Bulli Beach, Wollongong
Price: TBA
Organizer: Last Dance NYE
Where to stay: Bulli
8. LOST PARADISE
In the opposite direction, 54 minutes north of the harbour bridge, a ‘hidden wonderland” manifests amongst a 300-acre estate. It’s described as one of the most unique music festivals in Australia unlike any other currently out there. Known for being the largest horse riding and outdoor adventure centre, Glenworth Valley in the hinterland of the Central Coast hosts a 4-day festival running through to New Year.
You must enter by 4pm at the latest to enjoy the four-day festivities that go long into the night. Come and go as you please or set up camp or glamp as you explore the unique fusion of music, experience stations, sparkling conversations by water, yoga, acoustic sessions, inspirational talks. creative and performing arts, massage. disco yurts, twilight parades, electronic alcoves. sumptuous feasts. four-poster day-beds, aerial acrobatics and costume!
Price: 3 and 4-day passes include camping permits, $369-$419
Where: Glenworth Valley, Gosford
When: TBA 2021
Location: Glenworth Valley, Gosford
Price: TBA
Organizer: Lost Paradise
Where to stay: Glenworth Valley
9. PARRAMATTA PARK
The 85-hectare heritage site brings together the community and surrounds and is a short drive just 32 minutes out of the Sydney CBD. The celebrations foster a family-friendly environment with face painting, amusement rides and a food village of mobile truck vendors. Select a spot on the open range to plant yourself and enjoy the roving entertainment of creatives that weave themselves through the gathering of punters throughout the evening prior to the 9pm fireworks finale.
Entry is Free and it’s a great option to enjoy that much deserved night out without having to go through the main brunt of revellers making their way back from the midnight shows in the city.
When: TBA 2021
Location: Corner of Pitt & Macquarie Street, Sydney
Price: Free
Organizer: Parramatta Park
Where to stay: Parramatta
10. PANTHERS PENRITH RUGBY LEAGUES CLUB
It’s a community mecca for many in the area and a connection to the much-beloved NRL team. Some of the 11 dining venues ranging from desserts, burgers, seafood, Asian and grill will be providing their own lineups of entertainment, but it’s the outside backyard where one has to be, come Sydney New Years Eve.
The grounds are transformed with the arrival of carnival rides, food stalls and jumping castles with fireworks both at 9pm and Midnight.
What a great city we live in, filled with so much vibrance and unique finds in and around Sydney to celebrate the end of a year where we’ve achieved and accomplished a lot and welcome in the promise of a new one.
Price: Free Entry
Where: Mulgoa Road, Penrith
When: From 5pm to 11pm
Location: Corner of Pitt & Macquarie Street, Sydney
Price: From $25 per person
Organizer: Panthers Penrith
Where to stay: Penrith
So where do you see yourself this New Year’s Eve?
Last updated on Dec 8, 2020Have you subscribed to our Newsletter or Podcast? Listen to us on Apple Podcast and Spotify and follow us on Facebook, Instagram Twitter and YouTube.
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