Ok, hear us out. You need to brave the chaos and see the fireworks from the best vantage point in the city at least once. You can book your free ticket to the best seat in the house from December 26, be sure to get in early to nab a ticket as you can’t get in on NYE without one. You can bring your own food or buy food at the site. BYO is not allowed, but there will be alcohol for sale. sydneynewyearseve.com

Close to public transport, tick. Large open space, tick. Front row views of the Harbour Bridge, tick. Tickets are not required for this vantage point, which can hold up to 16,000. You’ll need to enter and claim your spot in the afternoon as last year the venue reached capacity by 4.30pm. Food is available to purchase or you can bring your own, but note that this is an alcohol-free spot, which is perfect for families with children. sydneynewyearseve.com

Sandwiched between The Rocks and Sydney Opera House, East Circular Quay offers some of the best views of the Bridge fireworks, but you’ll have to sacrifice views of the Sydney Opera House because of its location. This prime spot opens at 9am and holds up to 9,500. In 2024, the venue reached capacity at 3.48pm. BYO your own food or buy some here, alcohol is strictly prohibited though. sydneynewyearseve.com

You’ll be treated to views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from right above the Opera House on Bennelong Lawn. Views of the city skyline and Opera House are also on offer here, which make it one of the best places to be come NYE in Sydney. Bars will have a selection of beverages and snacks, while food trucks will serve up delicious bites. Alternatively you can bring your own food, but not your own booze. This location can only hold up to 1,000 so get in early. Entry is open from 9am on NYE. sydneynewyearseve.com

This vantage point offers up views of the trifecta: Sydney Harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Bars will sell a selection of beverages and light snacks. Food trucks will offer a variety of menus. This is a free vantage point and tickets are not required. It opens at 10am and can hold up to 3,000. In 2024, this location reached capacity at 3.14pm. sydneynewyearseve.com

Mrs Macquaries Point provides a beautiful, relaxed garden for your New Year’s Eve. Bars will be selling beverages, light snacks, and food trucks offer a variety of menus for all. This vantage point opens at 10am and can hold up to 10,000. BYO alcohol is prohibited at this venue.

You’ll get front row seats to the fireworks at Tarpeian Lawn. Tickets are not required for this free vantage point. It opens at 9.30am and can hold up to 3,500. Pack a picnic to get you through the day or night or buy food here. Alcohol will be available to purchase but you won’t be able to BYO. sydneynewyearseve.com

If you want great views but don’t want to be around loads of people, McKell Park is a good option with a capacity of just 1,000 people. The small, open foreshore location offers views of the city and Sydney Harbour Bridge. You won’t be able to buy food here, so pack a picnic. It’s also an alcohol-free zone so makes it a great kid-friendly spot to ring in the new year. sydneynewyearseve.com

Here you’ll be treated to views of the western side of the Harbour Bridge and with two firework barges just off the foreshore a decent display of fireworks will be on show. It’s BYO food and alcohol with no kiosk available, so be sure to pack enough food and water to get you through to midnight. sydneynewyearseve.com

This spot has a capacity of 1,000 but it’s quite small and can feel quite crowded. What it lacks in space it makes up for in views, with a stunning display of the western side of the Harbour Bridge on offer. BYO food and alcohol is permitted here as there are no food stalls or bars to purchase food and drinks from. sydneynewyearseve.com

Here western views of the Harbour Bridge are on full display. You’ll need to pack your own food and drinks here as there are no kiosks or stalls. You’re also allowed to BYO your own alcohol. sydneynewyearseve.com

If you don’t want to head into the city too early, but still score some pretty sweet views, Barangaroo Reserve might be your best option. This location holds up to 8,500 and didn’t reach capacity until 6pm in 2024. You’ll be able to see the western face of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from here. Food is available to buy or you can pack your own. BYO alcohol is prohibited, but there will be bars where you can purchase a drink.

Located east of The Rocks and north of the Overseas Passenger Terminal. At Campbells Cove you’ll get great views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It’s a completely free vantage point that you don’t need tickets for. The location holds up to 9,000 people and reached capacity at 4.11pm in 2024. Campbells Cove opens at 9am, if you want to get in a grab yourself a prime spot. sydneynewyearseve.com