We had debated going back to Sydney for New Years Eve. It seemed the right thing to do given we were in the area. However, hotel costs were in the $700 to $1200 range downtown so we'd almost ruled it out. However, our cruising buddies were planning to go to the fireworks and we tried again to find a place so we could join them. We were lucky enough to find one for...sit down...$350 a night! It is normally $110, but it was NYE!! So, we bit the bullet and booked. That being said, we were not sorry we did. We've never seen a show like it. We showed up at 'Balls Head Reserve" at 3:30 pm (a view point across the harbour from city and on the opposite side of the bridge from the Opera House. This area was already packed but we managed to find a spot against the railing with only a few short trees at the bottom of our view of the harbour and bridge. The 6 of us hunkered down there, with food...and no alcohol (it was an an alcohol free venue...although we did spy some with drinks...we were afraid the police would check us coming in, but there was no check point :=( so we just did without). We each contributed some food and with that, and the good company of our cruising friends Rich and Jan (Slip Away) and their friends Camille and John, we actually managed to put in 8 and 1/2 hours till midnight.
It helped that there was mini air show earlier, a fireboat display, a kids preview fireworks around 9, Darling Harbour fireworks every 1/2 hour after dark, and a lighted ferry and private yacht parade in the water below our vantage point.
When the actual big fireworks started, we couldn't believe our eyes! It went on for a long time culminating in a fireworks waterfall from the Sydney bridge as well as large fireworks from the top and four separate barges!! Unbelievable!!
Here we are at about 4pm!
This was our view in the daylight as the crowds were still gathering, as were the boats in the harbour below.
This is me, Jan, Rich, John, and Camille and, of course, Ralph's taking the shot!
This is more or less where we were...the panama hat belongs to John and he's on the other side of the fence we were "camped" at. You can see how busy it was...just nuts and more and more people just kept coming. Thankfully we had those chairs because that kept the people behind us at a distance, although there was some pushing on our chairs during the "big" show!
This was a view. You can see the boats below all waiting for the show. There were marker buoys to keep them all out of the channel.
Just as at our venue, the waters below became packed with boats trying to find the best view. Some boats were close enough to pass drinks back and forth, if not just bump each other.
This was part of the "kids' fireworks at 9 pm. Some of the crowds left after that, but more came to take their places.
This was one of the lighted vessels in the boat parade.
This is part of the large show...it just doesn't do it justice. We have a movie, but it's far too large a file to upload here...so we'll have to show you when we return. It was FABULOUS!!!
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