New Years Eve Sydney

[Losnab]

We are arriving in Sydney on the morning of 12/31 after traveling 26 hours from the southeast U.S. Planning to explore Sydney for a few days pre-cruise.

 

Though we booked in March, hotel accommodations were not easy to come by for New Years. We are staying in Potts Point which seems to be cultural and quite convenient to public transport.

 

The hotel says they have a rooftop bar from which we can view fireworks and I would be content to stay around hotel and head up to rooftop for fireworks.

My husband on the other hand wishes to partake in the middle of the festivities. I don't think it would be wise to prebook because the extensive travel can have unpredictable delays, jet lag, etc.

 

It looks like there are some waterfront parks we might walk to to enjoy the New Years festivities.

 

When our children were teenagers we took our first cruise when the Carnival Spirit first sailed. After that cruise we spent a few days including New Year's Eve in Disnney World, (Florida USA). It was a nightmare, my memories include people fainting and people gridlock. Not a type of experience I wish to repeat.

 

I am posting on this section of the forum as I would appreciate if local folks would share your experiences and recommendations.

 

Thanks

[The_Big_M]

If you get a rooftop view from Potts point it should be good - and have major benefits of not being as relatively crowded, and be peaceful. Out amidst the crowds you have to stake a spot early to get a good view, and sometimes the crowds around you aren't so pleasant.

 

Taking the rooftop would be an easy choice. Unless you prefer to absorb the 'cultural' elements of New Years crowds!

[Jacs]

Sydney on New Years will be much busier than Disney world on New Years, there will be a couple of million people crammed into all the vantage points that night :) for the free venues people generally start arriving in the morning and camp out for the day to secure their spot. If you have a roof too view from your hotel I'd stick with that, particularly if you will be jet lagged, you don't want to be sitting in a park for 14 hours waiting for the fireworks.

[Losnab]

Thanks Big M and Jacs

 

Think I may have to do my "told you so" dance:rolleyes:

 

So seriously I'm thinking it might be best to take the train from the airport since it seems that traffic will likely be pretty congested getting in Sydney New Year's Eve day.

[Kinkacruiser]

You're very lucky to arrive in Sydney on Dec 31. I would suggest the rooftop as the best vantage point for the fireworks. I believe the train from the airport is very good and a good idea considered the number of people in Sydney that day.

Enjoy your cruise and time in Australia.

[gogo65]

The airport train is very good. Just be patient as you may hit the crowds when you get off the train at Central Station and change trains to Kings Cross station. There are lots of road closures on New Year's Eve day in the city, so the train stations will be extremely busy.

They close many vantage points early on in the day as they are at capacity, if you don't want to head out early on in the day, I think your best vantage point will be your hotel rooftop.

Enjoy Sydney, try to get a window seat on the plane, Sydney truly is one of the most spectacular cities to view from the air (a little biased maybe :rolleyes:)

[The_Big_M]

While the airport train is fine, you'll have to change trains at Central to get to Kings Cross. I wouldn't expect significantly more traffic congestion on the airport to Potts Point route, especially in the morning when most flights from the US arrive, and it's a fairly straightforward route to that area from the airport.

 

If you'd prefer to take a taxi I'd still stick with that, but if you'd prefer the train that's fine too.

[lyndarra]

Check with the hotel to ensure the bridge is visible from their roof. If it isn't you'll miss a good part of the show.

[The_Big_M]

Keep in mind though that many public locations can't see the bridge either.

 

Unless you're willing to wait it out with crowds in (or pay for access to) one of the premium spots, then you probably won't have a good view of that elsewhere either.

Edited September 6, 2015 by The_Big_M

[cassamanda]

You are so lucky to have the benefit of a roof top. Much too crowded at the shore side vantage points and you need to arrive very early. Then you have the crush getting home.

There are some harbour cruises that give great views but may all be booked out by now.

 

There are 2 firework shows, at 9pm and midnight. Just in case you fall asleep from jet lag. You may not get 100% viewing from the hotel (not sure how much of the bridge is visible) but it will still be special.

Also just be prepared for lots of late night noise in your area on nye.

[Exige]

I haven't done NYE is the city for a good few years .. lots and lots (and lots) of people.

 

However .. when we did for a few years running, we found the Sydney Casino a really good spot. Most people seem to try and congregate around the harbours edge, so the casino is fairly empty .. and it has a number of outside balconies that you can watch the fireworks etc without any of the crowds. All that along with cheap drinks and food.

 

More people may have found out this "secret spot" .. and now all of CC knows :) .. however if you don't have a good view from your accomodation, it's definitely an option

[The_Big_M]

Definitely worth checking, but a lot of Potts Point hotels have good views, by virtue of them being at the top of a ridge.

 

The only issue is if there is another building in line of sight in front of them, but that's pretty uncommon and limited. So check it out, but chances are good.

[Losnab]

I haven't done NYE is the city for a good few years .. lots and lots (and lots) of people.

 

However .. when we did for a few years running, we found the Sydney Casino a really good spot. Most people seem to try and congregate around the harbours edge, so the casino is fairly empty .. and it has a number of outside balconies that you can watch the fireworks etc without any of the crowds. All that along with cheap drinks and food.

 

More people may have found out this "secret spot" .. and now all of CC knows :) .. however if you don't have a good view from your accomodation, it's definitely an option

Hi Exige

Wondering if this was place you are referring to

http://www.thedarling.com.au/sydney-casino/Pages/default.aspx

Is it possible to go there, play a few slots, have dinner and drinks and watch from their balcony? Or did you mean we needed to reserve their hotel room?

Thanks

[Exige]

G'day Losnab,

 

That is the place!

 

You don't need to book a room for the evening, you just just wander in the door at anytime and enjoy their facilities.

 

They have public access balconies off the gaming areas.

 

Hope you enjoy your NYE in Sydney ... we'll be enjoying Champagne in Champagne Bay!

 

A&C

[Adidas4fun]

Another vote for the rooftop. But it is simply impossible to arrive in Sydney on 12/31, down under it is 31/12 :) Enjoy (truly, I'm jealous of the view you will get to enjoy)

Edited December 18, 2015 by Adidas4fun

[Losnab]

G'day Losnab,

 

That is the place!

 

You don't need to book a room for the evening, you just just wander in the door at anytime and enjoy their facilities.

 

They have public access balconies off the gaming areas.

 

Hope you enjoy your NYE in Sydney ... we'll be enjoying Champagne in Champagne Bay!

 

A&C

 

 

Hi Exige

 

I decided to call the star to make sure their balconies would be accessible. But since their renovations I understand the balconies are only avail on nye to those who have reservations in one of their venues.

 

They were nice enough to accommodate us one of their clubs with a gatsby theme finger food and cocktails.

 

https://www.star.com.au/whats-on-sydney/nye/cherry

 

So I really appreciate your info that led us in a good direction. :)

Edited December 26, 2015 by Losnab

[GUT2407]

You will also need a couple of trains to get fom the Airport to the Cross.

 

So you will need to change at least once.

[MicCanberra]

You will also need a couple of trains to get fom the Airport to the Cross.

 

So you will need to change at least once.

 

A taxi (or UBER) would be the better bet.:D