Insider guide to Sydney’s NYE fireworks

More than nine tonnes of fireworks will be set off in Sydney’s iconic New Year’s Eve display on Tuesday night, with an insider revealing the best spots to watch the spectacular showing.

The display could become the city’s biggest ever, with 80 firing positions added tot he western side of the Harbour Bridge.

Foti International Fireworks has spent more than 4,500 hours preparing the show, which will include eight water-based fireworks platforms with 1,000 fireworks to fire from the Sydney Opera House sails, 30,000 fireworks from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and thousands of aerial shells with custom designs including birds, fish and emu tracks.

Foti International Fireworks director Fortunato Foti said the 9pm Calling Country display — set to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent — would be synched to a soundtrack, with about 150 pyrotechnics set off on four large drones as part of the 9pm and midnight fireworks.

“So there’s a bit happening,” Mr Foti said.

WHERE TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS

He assured Sydneysiders they’d be able to catch a glimpse of the show “if you’re anywhere you can see the Harbour or the tops of the city skyline”.

“Obviously anywhere down from the Harbour — Hunters Hill, Gladesville, down that way all the way to Shark Island, you’ll be able to see fireworks,” he said.

“Being up in the sky, obviously front or back of the line, you’ll still get a good view.

“It’s about enjoyment, I just hope everyone has a good time.”

Sydney Park is known to have a good view of the fireworks, with many flocking to the top of the hill with picnic rugs to catch last year’s display .

Bicentennial Park in Rozelle Bay also reportedly boasts a nice view, as does Cockatoo Island, according to Secret Sydney.

The City of Sydney has put together a list of 50 vantage points across the city opening from as early as 7am, with people expected to queue early in an attempt to secure a good spot.

The Sydney Opera House vantage point opens the earliest at 7am, with no tickets required and alcohol available for purchase.

Birchgrove Park, Elkington Park, Illoura Reserve, Lookes Avenue Reserve, Mort Bay Park and Yurulbin Park all open at 8am and allow BYO alcohol, with no tickets required.

Blues Point, Campbells Cove, Darling Harbour, Dawes Point (Tar-Ra) Park, East Circular Quay, Hickson Rd Reserve, Lavender Bay Parklands, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Bennelong Lawn and West Circular Quay all open at 9am with no tickets required but differing rules around alcohol.

Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve open from 9.30am along with Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Tarpeian Lawn, while Simmons Point and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Fleet Steps and Mrs Macquaries Point all open from 10am.

From midday, Barangaroo Reserve, Duff Reserve, McKell Park, Observatory Hill Park and Pyrmont Bay Park open, while The Rocks is set to open at 1pm and Pirrama Park at 2pm.

Bradley’s Head: Amphitheatre, Athol Lawn and Mast Precinct all open at 3pm, however tickets have sold out.

Dumaresq Reserve, Murray Rose Pool & Blackburn Gardens, Rose Bay Foreshore and Yarranabe Park also open at 3pm followed by Embarkation Park and Giba Park at 4pm, Manly Cove, North Head, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Foundation & Friends NYE Picnic and Strickland Estate at 5pm, and Taronga Zoo at 6pm.

Last is Luna Park, which is set to open from 7pm.

For those who prefer a quiet night in, the display will be live streamed on the Sydney New Year’s Eve website, as well as broadcast on TV.

Mr Foti earlier said this year’s display would be “one of the most innovative New Year’s Eve displays in the world”.

“Not only do we have more fireworks than ever before, we’re extremely excited to introduce the aerial platforms concept – the first time this has been done in Australian fireworks history,” Mr Foti said.

“The introduction of 80 new positions on the bridge and an additional firing location on the western side has enabled us to extend the footprint of the display and offer people a better view of the fireworks.

“No matter where you are around the harbour, you’re in for a great show!”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Foti family worked “magic” to put on an event that “continues to be bigger, brighter and more innovative and entertaining” each year.

“It’s no wonder our New Year’s Eve display is regarded as one of the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks shows on earth,” Ms Moore said.