Your guide to New Year's Eve 2023 in Sydney

Navigate New Year's Eve 2023 in Sydney with ease. Find out the best spots to see the fireworks, public transport tips, savings with your My NRMA membership, and must-attend events. Your ultimate guide awaits!

Best free places to watch the Sydney NYE fireworks

There’s plenty of free vantage points around the harbour to take in Sydney’s world-famous fireworks. Each site has its own open time, capacity, and rules surrounding alcohol. Make sure you get all the info you need early.

Remember if you want to avoid the biggest crowds, fireworks launch from barges up and down the harbour, so opt for a site that may not have a view of the Harbour Bridge but will still give you that magical experience.

Here are some of our favourite free places to watch the fireworks from:

If you’re planning to secure your spot early, make sure you check what you can and can’t bring to the site. And being summer, ensure you stay safe in the sun with plenty of water, a hat, sunglasses and remember to reapply your sunscreen! Best to be prepared for all types of weather and also pack some bug spray and wet weather gear.

Events not to be missed

You'll find ticketed New Year’s Eve events all around Sydney in a range of prices. Sip a martini (shaken, not stirred) at the Sir Stamford at this James Bond themed affair. Or enjoy a three-course menu before the ball drops and mirror ball themed party after at The Charles.

But you can't beat the up-close experience of a harbour cruise while fireworks explode overhead. My NRMA members get 10% off all New Year’s Eve harbour cruises with Fantasea.

Choose from cruising Sydney Harbour or around Manly to have the ultimate New Year's Eve experience - seeing the fireworks up-close from the deck of a Sydney staple. Purchase food and drink aboard or pack your own and enjoy over two hours or merriment as you ring in the new year.

If the kids won't make it to midnight, you can still experience all the wonder of a harbour cruise with the 9pm fireworks show as well!

Navigating the night: Public transport tips for NYE in Sydney

The number one rule for NYE: leave the car at home!

Not only are you likely to be celebrating with a few drinks, but parking on New Year’s Eve is non-existent. With scheduled road closures and thousands of people expected in the city, having a plan to get home is essential.

There will be thousands of extra public transport services running so check the schedules and make a plan that will work for you.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Trains will not be stopping at popular vantage points after certain hours. No trains will stop at Circular Quay after 3pm, and none at Milson's Point after 6pm.
• The way you arrived at your location may not be the same way you are able to leave. Check what changes have been made to bus, train, and metro schedules ahead of time.
• Keep in mind the large numbers of people who will be out for the night and remember to be considerate to those around you, especially the heroes driving the buses and trains!

Perhaps consider indulging in an entire evening away from home. My NRMA members get discounted stays at TFE hotels including Adina apartments and Vibe Hotels. Having a warm bed ready to go means you’ve taken the stress out of navigating home.

Getting out of town?

Planning on heading out of town to avoid the NYE chaos? Maybe you’re going to find somewhere quieter to relax and watch local fireworks show instead? Or maybe you’re heading into Sydney from somewhere else? To help you on the road, you can always grab a car from SIXT with My NRMA member’s best price guarantee. 

As always, 24/7 NRMA Roadside Assistance will be available to My NRMA members all throughout the summer holidays, including New Year’s Eve. So you’ll never be stuck on the road without help being on its way, even on New Year’s Eve.