FAQ's
General | Vantage Points and Restrictions | Tickets & Access | Transport |
Road Closures | Food and Beverage | Aged & Disabled | Families | Pet Owners
General
Q. What's on for 2008 Sydney New Year's Eve?
A. Go to the What’s On section for a complete list of Sydney New Year’s Eve events.
Q. When are the fireworks on?
A. Fireworks are presented at 9pm and Midnight on Sydney Harbour.
Q. What other entertainment is on during New Year's Eve?
A. In addition to our City of Sydney New Year’s Eve Events, a range of ticketed and free events are available on 31 December. Check local newspapers for detail.
Q. What do people need to take to enjoy the celebrations?
A. There are tips on what to bring to enjoy the evening.
Q. Where can I stay in Sydney if I am coming for New Year’s Eve
A. Accommodation in Sydney over New Year’s Eve fills up quickly. For information on accommodation visit www.seesydney.com
Vantage Points and Restrictions
Q. Where are the best vantage points?
A. View the list of vantage points around the harbour and in the city. The best vantage points tend to fill by early afternoon, including the Opera House forecourt, Mrs Macquaries Point, Dawes Point in The Rocks and Blues Point Reserve and Bradfield Part on the north side.
Q. What is a Security 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 Bridge will be security managed access areas.
Sites include: Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Mrs Macquaries Point, Dawes Point in The Rocks, Embarkation Park in Potts Point, Darling Harbour, Bradfield Park in Milson’s Point and Blue Point Reserve in McMahon’s Point.
These sites will close when they reach a comfortable capacity, which is generally in the early part of the afternoon, so plan to arrive early. NO BYO (Bring Your Own) ALCOHOL and NO GLASS policy is strictly enforced in these areas and bag searches are a condition of entry.
Q. Can we take alcohol with us?
A. There are many sites where BYO alcohol is NOT permitted including Security Managed Access Sites (see above). Glass is also strictly prohibited at these sites and many other sites as well. See the vantage point map for restrictions.
Tickets & Access
Q. Is it difficult to get down to Circular Quay?
A. Some areas, including Circular Quay, will have security managed access points to allow the sites to be closed off once a reasonable number of people have arrived. Staff at these points will check bags to ensure that no glass or alcohol is taken onto the sites, for the safety and comfort of all visitors. To ensure a good vantage point we recommend getting there early.
Q. Is there any restriction on pedestrian traffic during the night?
A. Pedestrian trThe Opera House, Tarpiaen Way (Macquarie St Lawns), East Circular Quay, Macquarie St north of Albert St and Mrs Macquaries Point will all have restricted access. Blues Point Reserve and Bradfield Park in Milsons Point will also have restricted access. Once a reasonable number of people have arrived, the areas will be closed. Glass, cans and alcohol may not be brought into these areas, and bags will be searched at entry points to enforce these restrictions for the safety and comfort of the public. Otherwise, there is relatively free pedestrian access around the city, subject to crowd flows
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.
Q. What areas of the Royal Botanic Gardens are available to the public? How do I access them ?
A. The Royal Botanic Gardens is not open to the public for New Year's Eve and will be closed from 3pm. There will be managed access to Tarpiean Way via Macquarie St. Mrs Macquaries Point will be accessible via Art Gallery Road only.
Q. How do I get tickets for the Cahill Expressway?
A. The ticket giveaway for the Cahill Expressway is organised by the RTA. For more information visit the RTA's website.
Q. I would like to spend NYE on a vessel on the harbour. How do I buy tickets for this?
A. Yes. You can book onto the Tall Ships and the commercial boats which are part of the celebrations on Sydney Harbour. Limited tickets are available for vessels participating in the Harbour of Light Parade.
Transport
Q. Will there be public transport throughout the night?
A. For transport info call the Transport Infoline - Phone: 131 500 or visit the website Transport Infoline.
Road Closures
Q. When do roads close?
A. Road closures are subject to police discretion. However it is expected that:
- Macquarie St north of Albert St will close at 10am
- The Cahill Expressway and Conservatorium Rd will close at 11am
- All roads north of the CBD from Bathurst Street will be closed by 7pm
Download the Road closure map from 2007 to use as a guide to road closures for New Year's Eve. A 2008 Sydney New Year's Eve Road Closure map will be available closer to the event.
Q. Will I have to move my car out of the streets?
Special Event Clearways throughout the city will come into effect at around 6am on 31 December. The RTA will have a map with special event clearways marked on its website. Cars must be moved before this time, or they will be towed. It is expected that roads will reopen after cleaning by 8am on New Year's Day.
Q. When will the streets be cleaned?
A. As soon as the crowds move out of the city following the midnight fireworks, cleaners will move in. The aim is to clear all city streets by 8am.
Food and 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.
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.
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 includes information on access for the aged and people with a disability.
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.
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 New Year's Eve?
A. On New Year's Eve there is free entertainment at Darling Harbour.
Pet Owners
Q. What should I do to minimise the chance of my pet reacting in panic to the fireworks?
A. In the month prior to New Year's Eve, 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. Play music to disguise the noise of the fireworks.
- Provide dogs with a big juicy bone.
- Provide a big plastic kong ball stuffed with food.
For further information, contact your local vet or animal behaviourist.
Saturday 26 July