Sydney NYE Fireworks - 14 People, Best Paid Vantage Points

archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 14:42
Last edited 25/08/2022 - 19:47

A bunch of us are planning a trip to Sydney on NYE, 11 adults, 3 kids.
Any recommendations on the best vantage points to watch the fireworks.
As it is a once in a lifetime plan for us, not looking for a bargain hunt but opinions and recommendations.

  1. Feel the best option would be to hire a private boat, would love suggestions.
  2. If not then maybe paid vantage points- but wonder if there are limits to whenever the tickets get on sale, plus they may be first come first serve. There is no information on the site on the ticket sale for 2022-23 fireworks yet https://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/vantage-points/
  3. Lastly, not our preference, but plenty of restaurants in Circular Quay have options. I feel its more for people who want to relax and may not have the best vantage points.
  4. Apartment at Circular Quay with views?

We don't really have much else we want to do but try to get the best (that we can afford) viewpoint for both the 9pm and midnight fireworks.

Travel New South Wales New Years Eve Sydney

Comments

  • dust on 25/08/2022 - 14:58
    +3
    1. Feel the best option would be to hire a private boat, would love suggestions.

    Not sure what your budget is, but this is crazy expensive on NYE. I'm guessing $20-$30k+.

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 15:04

      Thanks, just googled it after your comment and it's insanely expensive.. 1000per head min…
      That is way out of my budget.. I was thinking $500 per head would be the max if we were getting a great view.. turns out even if we do that the view will not be great…

  • CyberMurning on 25/08/2022 - 15:00

    "Best Paid Vantage Points"

    to get best view or to get covid ?

    • Keplaffintech on 25/08/2022 - 15:04
      +1

      Covid risk outdoors is pretty low compared to being indoors at a packed party like most others would be.

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 15:05
      +1

      All have had vaccines and COVID at least once, so we should be alright now.

    • spackbace on 25/08/2022 - 15:27
      +1

      Thought you weren't afraid of covid?

  • Hybroid on 25/08/2022 - 15:26
    +1

    Barangaroo Reserve is one of your best bets: https://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/vantage-points/barangaroo/

    Not expensive, can bring picnic bags or buy from food trucks there. Area has 7,000 limited tickets so not overly crowded and will always get good vantage of fireworks show. No need to camp overnight, just rock up an hour before if you like, easy. There's an indoor shelter for inclement weather too. Tickets not on sale yet but signup to mailing list and they'll give you plenty advance notice.

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 16:02

      Thanks, that's interesting. The image makes it look we are on the back of the bridge.
      Any vantage points on the other side that are good value?

      • Hybroid on 25/08/2022 - 16:17
        +1

        Fireworks go high up in the sky, you see them either side. I go to Barangaroo every year, love it.

        • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 19:45

          Thanks, yeah it seems a great and absolute value. Just wanted to know if you'd suggest an alternate one on the opera house side.

  • Caped Baldy on 25/08/2022 - 16:04
    +1

    The Balmain peninsula is pretty good. Not sure if it'll be open to drive in.

  • cupcake on 25/08/2022 - 16:12
    +3

    You have to rent an apartment at Circular Quay with views looking at the harbour bridge.
    Have a party with your friends there. Or book a hotel room with harbour views. It won't be cheap.

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 19:49
      +1

      Any example/suggestions and rough idea of the cost?
      We'd be booking a room anyways, plus travel and food cost.. it maybe a great option.

      • cupcake on 26/08/2022 - 15:03

        You will have to ring around but there are a few there at Circular Quay right before you get to the Opera House.
        Try the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. Ring them and ask about a room for New Years eve. That's a hotel but there are also many apartments there as well.
        I recommend the Shangri-la Sydney. Ask for a harbour view room.
        Alternatively, you could stay at the Intercontinental hotel (I've stayed there), then walk down with a picnic blanket and some food with friends but be sure to find a good spot to sit facing the bridge before 6pm or if could be closed off for crowd control. You could also stay at the Swissotel (I've stayed there too) near Pitt Street Mall so you can go shopping easily and then walk down to Circular Quay on New Years eve.

  • sharkyoz on 25/08/2022 - 16:35
    +1

    Mrs Macquaries chair, gives a great view up/down the harbour and an excellent view of the bridge.

  • prisonmike on 25/08/2022 - 18:06
    +1

    Buy an expensive OLED 8K Tele and watch the NYE fireworks on it .

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 19:50
      +1

      Thanks, done that in the past. The transmission is not in 8K so no need for 8K. Sat super close to my HD transmission.
      Waiting for AR to kick-in.

      • dust on 26/08/2022 - 10:46

        Is the transmission even in 4K?

  • Ugly on 25/08/2022 - 19:26
    +2

    Opera House New Years Eve Concert? - https://opera.org.au/productions/the-opera-gala-concert-2022
    (Tickets start from $199 including the 9pm fireworks, but midnight is extra - you said “paid” but didn’t nominate a budget)

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 19:59
      +1

      Thanks it is a great suggestion which I didn't consider earlier. The $199 seems sold out (only single tickets) but can buy $269.. The midnight is $350 extra, making it $610 per head… which to be honest it is not bad considering you also get the Opera House performance…
      Just wondering how the views will be like of the fireworks… because one is AT the Opera house, does it mean you miss what is happening behind you? I assume the view of the bridge fireworks make up for what is lost…
      I didn't mention a budget because I have no real idea before I started looking today of what it could cost. I started thinking $300 per head but then thought we planned it for years, a decade, that $500 is what we can push.. but now even that seems to be on the low-side-of-high-end.. So wondering if is it worth buying the cheapest "expensive" option or should I rather look at the most expensive "budget" option… :)

      • afoveht on 25/08/2022 - 21:01
        +2

        I've not watched from the opera house but quite a few years ago I watched from a boat next to the opera house and it was awesome. The lights are one thing but the sound just above the water takes it to the next level.

        • archieduh on 26/08/2022 - 12:10

          Thanks for sharing. How much did the ticket cost and operator?

          • afoveht on 26/08/2022 - 12:48

            @archieduh: Free! It was a mate's boat, nothing too fancy, just his recreational fishing boat with a little cabin, held a group of us comfortably. There were lots of similar boats out there, much more than professional looking rigs. That was around 20 years ago, I think times (permits, whatever) may have changed since then.

  • Ghost47 on 25/08/2022 - 20:26
    +1

    Hire a boat and pilot it into the harbor.

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 20:56
      +1

      Suggestions? Maybe paddle board :)

      • afoveht on 25/08/2022 - 21:01
        +1

        I've seen people on kayaks.

  • ECE on 25/08/2022 - 21:02

    Not worth it 😷🤫

    • archieduh on 25/08/2022 - 21:06

      I know :) but still…

      • cupcake on 26/08/2022 - 15:13

        Just not worth the wait. I remember one year sitting there in the heat just before 6pm only to wait 6 hours in the crowd and then having to walk to the train station with the crowd to get onto a packed chockers train home lol God help you if you need the loo, have young kids. Be prepared and bring water and food/snacks and even games. Some families bag a spot from midday!!

        Now if you had a boat and can just sit in the harbour, that would be awesome. See if you can book a night cruise? I find the resturant tickets, bar tickets, too crowded and not worth the money.

        Since then, I am happy to watch it at home on tv and then go straight to bed lol
        Not had friends over in ages for New Years eve.

        • lgacb08 on 26/08/2022 - 16:44

          Depending on your view, I've done that years ago and it's something worth putting on your bucket list. I agree it could be daunting if you are a lady or have young kids to line up for the loo. Who doesn't want a few beers when you are there and that's where your misery begins. But if you have young kids that 3 hours between 9pm and 12am can be a long wait, theirs are already over but yours not. As for the view the one around Mrs Macquarie chair and the area just below it are probably the best free one but it takes lots of planning and waiting to get there. There appeared some paved sections below the chair where you can pay for dining and view but you probably still subject to the public queue to the loo.
          You can pay heaps more for private hotel view but I think you'll miss out on the atmosphere, something like this you have to be among the crowd.
          But after 2 years of pandemic and the crave of travelling you'll probably need to pay a lot more and plan well ahead to make it.

          • archieduh on 26/08/2022 - 17:35

            @lgacb08: The Manly fast ferry already sold out, so yeah have to decide soon…

        • archieduh on 26/08/2022 - 17:34

          Thanks, that is why we were looking for paid options so kids can bear. And its the kids that have been hounding to watch the fireworks.

  • mskeggs on 25/08/2022 - 21:32

    NYE fireworks are a bit disappointing, IMO.
    The tv coverage shows the 8 or so spots so you get a big picture view, in person it is more limited, unless you are in a high-rise, which then feels sterile and far removed.

    I had fun as a 18yro, as a grown up the hassle of getting around sucks. Most memorable was staying in a Balmain waterfront on y2k and seeing a bloke pegging a girl against a tree down at the water's edge. Legend.

    • samfisher5986 on 26/08/2022 - 12:11

      We get better fireworks at the Brisbane Ekka. NYE Fireworks are disappointing.

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