The elaborate plans for Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks have been revealed – and it’s safe to say that 2018 is going to start with a bang.
In a celebration has taken 15 months of planning and taken more than 10,000 hours to pull together, a rainbow waterfall will cascade from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the 40th anniversary of Sydney’s Mardi Gras in 2018.
The display will pay tribute to to the ’78ers’ – the first gay rights campaigners to march in the Sydney Mardi Gras for gay rights in Australia in 1978.
Sydneysiders can thank more than 1000 accredited personnel and 300 volunteers for the planning and execution of the unique 2018 New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It takes more than 5000 hours just to prepare and pull off the two impressive firework displays that are the lynchpin of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore told the City of Sydney that the dramatic technicolour fireworks would confirm Sydney as the New Year’s Eve capital of the world and celebrate Australians saying ‘Yes’ to marriage equality.
Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks as seen from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair on December 31, 2016
Clover Moore took to Twitter to share her excitement about the rainbow waterfall cascade
‘This is a fabulous way to see out 2017 – the year that four out of five Sydneysiders said a resounding ‘Yes’ to marriage equality,’ the Lord Mayor said.
‘The rainbow waterfall is a tribute to the Sydney 78ers who marched for gay rights 40 years ago – it’s a reminder of how far we have come and how far we have left to achieve true equality for our LGBTI community.
‘It’s a wonderful way to ring in the New Year, and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras.’
Clover Moore (left) with artist Nadia Hernandez at the launch of Sydney NYE creative program
Clover Moore said rainbow fireworks will celebrate Aussies saying ‘Yes’ to marriage equality
This year, ABC Me launched an NYE Design Your Own Firework Competition, where the winning child will be flown to SYdney with their family to push the ‘start button’ on the 9pm fireworks display that will also feature their design.
The winning design is titled Rainbow Kiss, and features a multicolour umbrella with a silver palm tree centre.
‘This is Australia’s night of the year, enjoyed by millions around the world, and for a child to be part of this wonderful evening is a once in a lifetime opportunity,’ the Lord Mayor said.
‘I can’t wait to see the winning entry light up the sky on New Year’s Eve.’
ABC Director of Television, David Anderson, said: ‘Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks displays is a highly anticipated event, and one of the best in the world.
‘The ABC is thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity once again. With such a sought after prize, the challenge is on for Aussie kids to send in some amazing and unique designs.’
The winning design will be brought to life by Foti International Fireworks, the company that has delivered Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve displays since 1997. Master pyrotechnician Fortunato Foti says bringing a child’s firework design to life is an exciting challenge.
‘I love seeing what kids’ imaginations come up with. I can’t wait to see what designs they come up with this year,’ Mr Foti said.
‘It’s such a unique and wonderful challenge to be able take a child’s drawing and turn it into a firework that’s enjoyed by millions of people all around the world.’
The winner of the ABC Me original firework design contest will push the ‘start button’ at 9pm
If you want to get the best view of the fireworks, there are several spots you can head to – but you’d better get there early!
Plenty of spots on the eastern side of the bridge, including Barangaroo Reserve which offers spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and an amazing vantage point for the New Year’s Eve fireworks, has already sold out.
Campbells Cove in The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Dawes Point are excellent spots for those who want to stay in the city, while people wanting to escape the bustle can opt for Dudley Page Reserve in Dover Heights, Dumaresq Reserve in Rose Bay or Duff Reserve in Point Piper.
But if you head north, you’ll find that Birchgrove Park, Blues Point Reserve, Cremorne Point and Bradfield Park are all good options – although alcohol and BYO are prohibited.
Towards the inner West, there are good vantage points at Illoura Reserve, Simmons Point and Lookes Avenue Reserve in Balmain East.
There are dozens of vantage points (pictured) to watch the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks
The official Sydney New Year’s Eve website also lists locations in Mosman, Manly and more, so you can check the capacity, BYO situation, transport options and more.
In the early hours of the morning on January 1, the City of Sydney will invest upwards of $300,000 in clean-up efforts – approximately 350 staff will collect 44 tonnes of waste in 60 trucks before the sun rises on the first day of 2018.
Thousands of extra public transport services will be running in all parts of SYdney on New Year’s Eve, with people urged to plan their trips and aim to arrive early to escape the huge crowds that are expected to descend on the city.
The Sydney NYE fireworks are watching by million (sometimes billions) of people worldwide and have only been cancelled once in history – in 2003, the 9pm family fireworks were cancelled due to winds gusting up to 90km/h.