Save your money for a midnight toast and head to one of these free fireworks-viewing spots in Sydney
Sydney is renowned all over the world over for its New Year's Eve fireworks display, so why not ring in January 1 fresh from a prime position to view them?
Up until recently, most of the prime spots to view the fireworks were paid – but then the NSW government went and opened up many vantage points for free. They're doing the same thing this year with a range of first-in-best-dressed spots.
Read on for our full guide to watching the 2024 New Year's Eve fireworks for free in Sydney.
Open from 10am
Savour the western side of the Sydney Harbour at Simmons Point Reserve free of charge. It's busy here, but not super crowded, with the reserve on the northeastern tip holding 300 people for the fireworks. As with many a Balmain foreshore, it has an uninterrupted view of the bridge, BYO alcohol is allowed, but there are no toilets (you’ll have to pop round to another of the nearby parks for those).
Open from noon
Commanding unique views of Sydney Harbour, McKell is a secret sanctuary where you can swim in the harbour via the sandstone steps, and set your picnic basket down on the water's edge. Why not take the family out to this oasis and spend the last day of the year enjoying Sydney's fireworks?
Open from 4pm
Overlooking Cowper Wharf in Woolloomoolloo, Embarkation Park has a great view of the Harbour Bridge, but beware that the lovely foliage here does mean some limited viewing.
Open from 3pm-12.30am
If you're a harbour-loving puppy owner, you'll know that this dog-friendly foreshore has incredible sightlines out towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The secluded spot in Rose Bay is an alcohol-free zone and there won't be any food being sold. So it's going to be all about the views here. But take it from us. They're worth it.
Open from 2pm
If you want to cling to the foreshore, you can stay relatively central and still nab a free firework-viewing seat at Pirrama Park. This family-friendly site doesn't get crowded and offers glorious views over Blackwattle Bay. It can accommodate 7,000 party-goers and will be offering food and drinks all night. We recommend booking a picnic spot, and if you don't feel like buying booze, you can bring it yourseld.
Open from 12pm
Though this area is home to an extensive park – perfect for setting up camp with your picnic hamper – it’s also the spot to be if you’re keen to let a little loose on the dance floor, with a number or parties popping up throughout the precinct (more on that here).
Garden Games will be set up throughout the park as well as water fountains and food trucks and a licenced bar so you can buy booze; leave yours at home for this venue.
Open from 1pm
The Rocks precinct will have five vantage points (Campbell’s Cove, Dawes Point Park, East Circular Quay, West Circular Quay and Hickson Road Reserve). Each of the venues offer their own advantage: with Campbell’s Cove boasting uninterrupted views of the harbour, Dawes Point Park and Hickson Road Reserve offering sheltered picnic spots from beneath the bridge and East and West Circular Quay situating you right in the centre of the action.
Each of The Rocks’ public vantage points are alcohol-free areas, so to stay hydrated, we’d recommend checking out our list of the best restaurants and bars in Circular Quay – they're a failsafe option for an excellent final dinner of the year.
Open from 9am
Home to a sprawling children’s playground complete with slides, tunnels, swings, water fountains and a 21 metre flying fox, it’s safe to say that Darling Harbour is an excellent family-friendly option.
The free-to-access Cockle Bay vantage point is one of the earliest venues to open, at 9am, so you’ll have time to fit in a few hours of play (and possibly a visit to Sea Life Aquarium or Madame Tussauds) before catching the 9pm display.
Food-wise, head to Darling Square for an exhaustive range of options.
Open from 9am
Blues Point Reserve has excellent harbour, city and bridge views and a maritime-themed playground for the kids so when they open at 9am there will be plenty to entertain the fam. This family-friendly site can accommodate up to 7,000 people, and there will be food venues on site.
Open from noon-12.30am
If you're not in the mood to fork out hundreds to tickets for Luna Park's prime possie by the harbour bridge, you can do the next best (free) thing at Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve. Combined, the space can hold up to 16 000 people and there will be plenty of food options on offer. Enjoy grandstand views of Sydney Harbour, and the harbour bridge.
We've gone and collected a list of public toilets that will be open into the wee hours on NYE. Visit these when the fireworks are coming and the seal is well and truly broken.
Discover Time Out original video
