Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's
A quick reference guide to the most commonly asked questions about Sydney New Year's Eve.
For up-to-date information on Sydney New Year's Eve 2009 please check the website closer to the event.
General
Q. What's on for 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve?
A. The What’s On section will have a complete list of Sydney New Year’s Eve events closer to the event.
Q. When are the fireworks on?
A. There will 2 fireworks shows, the 9pm Family Fireworks are on at 9pm and Midnight Fireworks commence at 12 midnight. There will also be plenty of other entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening. Check out the What’s On section closer to the event for details.
Q. What other entertainment is on during Sydney New Year's Eve?
A. In addition to the official Sydney New Year’s Eve events produced by the City of Sydney, there are a range of ticketed and free events available on 31 December. Check out the Other Events section closer to the event for details.
Q. What do people need to take to enjoy the celebrations?
A. There are some general tips in the Plan your night section with full specific tips for 2009 available closer to the event.
Q. Where can I stay in Sydney if I am coming for Sydney New Year’s Eve?
A. Accommodation in Sydney over New Year’s Eve fills up quickly. For information on accommodation visit www.sydney.com
Q. Where do I go if I hurt or injure myself on the night?
A. There will be medical staff on hand on the night. Locations of these posts will be available closer to the event. St John First Aid posts will be located throughout the CBD.
Q. Are there safety tips that I can follow in order to have a safe Sydney New Year's Eve 2009?
A.
- Keep your fluids up by drinking plenty of water
- Apply sunscreen every two hours and wear a hat
- Plan when you will eat so you don’t skip a meal
- Bring your own prescribed medications, such as ventolin and insulin
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Beware of broken glass when walking and sitting
- Don’t drink excessive amounts of alcohol
Vantage Points & Restrictions
Q. Where are the best vantage points?
A. View the Vantage Points map closer to the event for viewing areas around Sydney Harbour and in the city.
Q. What is a Managed Access Site?
A. For the safety, comfort and enjoyment of everyone, a number of key vantage points around the CBD foreshore on the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be managed access areas.
These sites are have a NO BYO (Bring Your Own) ALCOHOL and NO GLASS policy and bag searches are a condition of entry.
Q. Can we take alcohol with us?
A. There are many sites where NO BYO ALCOHOL and NO GLASS is permitted. Please look at the Vantage Points map closer to the event for full details on site restrictions and site facilities.
Q. Are there any other restrictions on the night I need to know about?
There will be temporary Alcohol Free Zones enforced on the night and on New Year's Day. Full details will be available closer to the event.
Tickets & Access
Q. Is it difficult to get down to Circular Quay?
A. Some areas, including Circular Quay have managed access points to allow the sites to be closed off once a reasonable number of people have arrived. Staff at these points check bags to ensure that no glass or alcohol is taken in to the sites, for the safety and comfort of all visitors.
Q. Are there any restriction to pedestrian traffic during the night?
A. There are many areas in and around the Sydney CBD that will have restricted access on the night. Please check the website closer to the event for full details. There will be a City Services Map available closer to the event which will outline the restrictions and access for pedestrians.
Q. Do I need to buy a ticket or get a pass to obtain access to certain areas of the city?
A. The majority of vantage points to watch the fireworks do not require passes or tickets. See the Vantage Points map closer to the event for full details on access and restrictions.
Q. What areas of the Royal Botanic Gardens are available to the public? How do I access them?
A. General public access to the Royal Botanic Gardens closes in the early afternoon for Sydney New Year’s Eve. Full details of times and closures will be available closer to the event.
Q. How do I get tickets for the Cahill Expressway?
A. The ticket giveaway for the Cahill Expressway is organised by the RTA. The RTA ticket giveaway concluded on Sunday 23 November 2008. For more information visit the RTA website.
Q. I would like to spend Sydney New Year’s Eve on a vessel on Sydney Harbour. How do I buy tickets for this?
A. You can book tickets onboard a tallship, heritage vessel or commercial vessel participating in the Harbour of Light Parade. Tickets are limited and bookings can be made directly with the vessel operators. See Harbour of Light Parade for more information.
Transport
Q. Will there be public transport throughout the night?
A. For public transport information visit the website www.131500.info or call the Transport Infoline on Ph 131 500.
Road Closures
Q. When do roads close?
A. Road closures are subject to police discretion and details will be confirmed closer to the event. However it is expected that:
On New Year’s Eve, roads will be closed in the lead up to and during the fireworks displays, including Sydney roads around the CBD, Darling Harbour, Royal Botanic Gardens, North Sydney and other Sydney Harbour vantage points. Sydney Harbour Bridge lane closures begin in the early afternoon with full closure before midnight.
Parking restrictions will apply with special event clearways enforced throughout the Sydney CBD, North Sydney, Pyrmont and other foreshore areas. For detailed traffic information visit the RTA website closer to the event.
Download the Road closure map from the road closures section.
Q. Will I have to move my car out of the streets?
Full details of Special Event Clearways will be detailed on a map on the RTA website closer to the event.
Q. When will the streets be cleaned?
A. As soon as crowds move out of the city following the Midnight Fireworks display, cleaners move in. The aim is to clear all city streets early in the morning.
Food & Beverage
Q. Can I take my own food and alcohol?
A. There are many sites where Bring Your Own (BYO) alcohol is not permitted. In most of these cases, alcohol is available for sale. You can take food with you anywhere, and food and drink are readily available for sale throughout the City. Note that glass containers are not permitted in those areas with managed access. Please pack food in reusable and/or recyclable containers.
Q. Are food and drink readily available?
A. There are many vendors of food and drink, including some bars around the city.
Q. Where can people dine?
A. There are many restaurants open on the night. Please check out the Eatability website, www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney.
Aged & Disabled
Q. Where can we go to watch the fireworks?
A. There are many vantage points in the city and on the foreshore. Our vantage points section will include information on parking, site access and accessibility toilets for the aged and people with a disability closer to the event.
Q. Are there disabled toilets in the city?
A. The City of Sydney has a map which shows the positions of toilets for people living with a disability throughout the city. An updated map will be uploaded closer to the event.
Q. Is there disabled access at train stations?
A. Central, Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay stations are all wheelchair accessible.
Families
Q. Is it safe to bring the family into the city?
A. There is a special fireworks display for families with youngsters at 9pm. You can watch these at your favourite vantage point. If you are bringing children, keep them close to you. If you have a mobile phone, write your number and child's name on your child's arm.
Q. What else can we do with the kids for Sydney New Year's Eve?
A. On New Year's Eve there is free family entertainment at Darling Harbour. Full information will be available closer to the event.
Pet Owners
Q. What should I do to minimise the chance of my pet reacting to the fireworks?
A. In the month prior to New Year's Eve you can undertake a positive training program to desensitise your pet to loud noise. Information and tapes can be obtained from your local vet, animal behaviourist or record shop.
Q. What steps should I take on the night to ensure my pet’s safety during the fireworks?
A. There are a number of things you can do on the night including:
- Stay with your pet inside or stable horses and other livestock.
- Cover your bird's aviary.
- Don't leave your animals outside, and don't leave them tied up .
- Remove anything that your pet could hurt itself on.
- Provide plenty of water.
- Distract your pet or play music to disguise the noise of the fireworks.
- Provide dogs with a distraction such as a bone.
- Provide a big plastic kong ball stuffed with food.
- For further information, contact your local vet or animal behaviourist.
Other tips to plan your night
Planning Tips
Make it a magical night. Plan ahead.To ensure your night is fun and enjoyable it is important that you plan ahead and know all the necessary information before you head out.
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If you are heading out
Heading out on the night?Know where you want to go, how to get there and what access and site restrictions will be in place on the night.
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Where to go & site restrictions
To help you decide on where to go, please read the important information to plan your night and choose the best location to enjoy the Sydney New Year’s Eve experience.
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If you are staying in
You can have a fantastic Sydney New Year’s Eve and a front row seat for the fireworks at home, see all the tips to make it a fantastic night in!
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Public Transport
Public transport, walking or cycling are the best ways to travel on Sydney New Year's Eve, so leave the car at home. Plan ahead to work out the best route to travel by public transport.
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Road Closures
On New Year’s Eve and New Year's Day there will be some roads closures in place before, during and after the event. Plan ahead. Be aware of the road closures and how they affect your travel.
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Boating
Spectators on Sydney Harbour should be aware of the restrictions in place on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Plan ahead to ensure safe celebrations on the Harbour.
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Visiting Sydney
Sydney New Year's Eve is one of the busiest times of year in Sydney, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
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