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Sydney's best NYE firework vantage points to be free
Premier Chris Minns has made good on a key election pledge today, announcing NSW government-owned sites around Sydney's harbour foreshore will be free for the public this New Year's Eve.
Included are some of the best vantage points to view Sydney's world-renowned fireworks display, including locations in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Barangaroo Reserve and the Domain – including Mrs Macquaries Point.
Also included are West Circular Quay (including First Fleet Park), Campbells Cove and Hickson Road Reserve.
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Last year, tickets at these locations ranged in price from $12.50 all the way up to $520.
Most of these vantage points will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with monitored capacity limits in place.
Each vantage point will be closed once capacity is reached.
Other state-operated vantage points will also be free, but revellers will need to pre-purchase a ticket to help manage capacity limits.
These locations include Bradleys Head, Strickland Estate and Clark Island, Me-Mel (Goat Island) and Shark Island.
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Tickets at these NSW National Parks and Wildlife venues last year cost between $24 and $286.
This year, those who secure tickets to the island locations will only pay a small fee to cover their return ferry voyage.
More than 60,000 Sydneysiders and tourists are expected to make use of the newly free vantage spots.
About one million people flock to Sydney's foreshores and surrounds to watch the Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour lit up in a pyrotechnic display each year.
The NSW government began charging at a handful of locations in 2011, which has expanded over the years to include more than 20 locations.
The announcement fulfills one of the Labor government's key election promises to make New Year's Eve celebrations accessible to everyone.
"We have the most beautiful harbour and the most beautiful city, and every person should be able to enjoy it – for free," Minns said at the time.
The NYE on the Cahill Expressway event will once again be free, managed through a ticket system via a live ballot which opens at 9am on Tuesday.
Taronga Zoo and the Botanic Gardens' Foundation and Friends Picnic will still be allowed to charge for tickets to their New Year's Eve events, to allow these not-for-profits to raise funds for their conservation and scientific work.
