With tonnes of fireworks set to explode this New Years Eve, Sunrise gives you bang-by-bang coverage of what's going on in your capital city.

 

Weather threats

As AAP reports, the weather could put a dampener on the evening if you live in Darwin or Brisbane. Darwin has a chance of monsoon showers and summer storms descending on south-west Queensland could threaten the city's fireworks display. Tidal surges and winds of up to 70km/h have made the famous Gold Coast beaches a no-go zone. 

Bureau of Meteorology - Get the latest weather updates

 

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Melbourne, VIC- Fireworks at 9.15pm and midnight

 

Melbourne will have two fireworks shows and seven free parties across the city. 

The fireworks include a family fireworks display at 9.15pm followed by a fireworks extravaganza heralding the New Year at midnight.

Both shows will be viewable across the city and from Docklands. However, Southgate and the Royal Exhibition Building will offer midnight fireworks viewing only.

There will be free celebrations from live bands, DJs, dancing, roving performers and family entertainment. For the fireworks, the best entertainment and viewing sites are Birrarung Marr, Alexandra Gardens, Federation Square, Southgate, NewQuay and Waterfront City.

Melbourne's public transport will be free from 6pm on New Year's Eve. Trains, trams and buses will run for free all night

• How to plan your NYE in Melbourne

• That's Melbourne website - for more tips for enjoying the family fireworks

• City of Melbourne website - for info on taxi ranks, free parties and other holiday activities

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Adelaide, SA - fireworks at 9pm and midnight

NYE in Elder Park - Music between the displays will come from toffee-apple-loving kids entertainer Peter Combe, plus two party bands

  8pm: Peter Combe and the Newspaper Mama Band
  9pm: Family fireworks
  9:05pm: Party Band: Chill
  10pm: Peter Combe and the Newspaper Mama Band
  10:30pm: Party Band: Chill
  11pm: Party Band: Jam
  12 midnight - Fireworks spectacular from the Victoria Bridge

Secret location tip - War Memorial Drive (park and walk to the riverside park near the tennis courts)

After the fireworks, try out parties at popular nightspots like Banque Bar, Archer Hotel, Royal Oak and the Lion Hotel in North Adelaide. 

Adelaide City Council - for more on road closures and party details

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Brisbane, QLD - fireworks at 9pm and midnight

SouthBank is sure top be livey with multiple stages, performers and shows. The fireworks and will be viewable anywhere from the Merrivale Bridge to the Goodwill Bridge (view map).

Get to Southbank early to enjoy festivities including: A New Years Eve party, a Ferris Wheel and movies, bands, dancing and two fireworks displays.

Transport arrangements for Brisbane

 

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Canberra, ACT - fireworks at 9pm and midnight

The family-friendly concert in Civic Square will kick off at 7.30pm and conclude at 12.45am.

Canberras should hit the town centre for the free New Year's in the City celebration. If you're a 70s music fan, catch Bee Gees tribute band Night Fever for free in Civic Square. For more modern dance music, bop over to Garema Place, for the very popular Bass in the Place Dance Party. DJs play all the latest dance music from 9pm.

Nightrider buses are your NYE designated driver, doing the honours for $10pp

ACT Events website - official site for New Years in the City

ACT - official govt. site

 

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Darwin, NT - fireworks at 9pm

NYE gig guide | Download PDF

Many restaurants and clubs are putting on live shows, meal specials and DJs, keeping the party going well beyond the fireworks. Cover charges range form $0-$30

FREE buses are being provided to transport New Years Eve party-goers to & from Darwin, Casuarina & Palmerston areas. Services will be at half hour intervals

 

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Hobart, TAS - fireworks at midnight

New Year's Eve Entertainment at the Taste (closes at 3.45pm NYE)

The "Taste of Tasmania" food festival is bound to attract crowds to the Salamanca area showcasing wine and food from all over Tasmania. Some last minute tickets may be available from the city council website.

The big Sydney to Hobart yachts always make the docks a place to be as the night progresses. Elizabeth St and Brook St Piers are often swamped with revelers by 11pm.

Secret location tip - Wrest  Point (if you can find a seat)

 

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Perth, WA - fireworks at 9pm and midnight

NYE in Northbridge - Fun starts at 6pm but entertainment is from 9.30 to midnight at Northbridge Piazza site and Cnr James and William Streets.

In addition to great music, there'll be aerial acrobatics from Fliptease, incredible digital "sculptures" from ENESS and the Robin Fox Laser Show on the main stage for the final countdown... and much more!  (Secret tip: try the Mosman foreshore)

The Mandurah foreshore features bands for the youth, side shows, while other attractions include twister balloons, face painting, pony rides and King Carnival. Those in search of more mature fun should consult this gig guide.

 

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Sydney, NSW - fireworks at 9pm and midnight

If you only see the 9pm show, you will miss the the major light show on the bridge. But you will also avoid the more rowdy crowds. Public transport is the only way to go in  a city with traffic bad enough before the road closures begin. So don't just turn up,plan your night ahead of time to make it the time of your lives.

View RTA city road closures map

View vantage points map - hundreds of harbour points to pick from

Sydney New Years Eve - official site

Sydney City Council - official site

(secret location tip - Pyrmont Point Park walk from Light Rail at Star City)