Spectacular fireworks light up Sydney Harbour as NYE crowds pack in - 9News

More than a million people have packed the Sydney Harbour foreshore to begin one of the world's best-known New Year's Eve celebrations.

The Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks at 9pm for the family-friendly Calling Country display, an Indigenous-produced show combining a driving soundtrack with spectacular sparkles and tributes to prominent First Nations people.

Hopes are high for what's expected to be the biggest celebration in years.

The Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks at 9pm for the family-friendly Calling Country display, an Indigenous-produced show combining a driving soundtrack with spectacular sparkles and tributes to prominent First Nations people. (9News)

Maximum capacity is reached for New Year's Eve celebrations at Mrs Macquarie's Chair on December 31. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Revellers began gathering at prime vantage points across the city in the very early hours of the morning in the hopes of scoring the best views of the fireworks. Some had even been there since yesterday.

The night's climax was still to come, with a 12-minute fireworks show described as a "dance" between all the various elements.

For the first time in several years, ticketing was scrapped at 38 free locations across Sydney Harbour, with authorities expecting this year's event to be bigger than ever.

More than 1000 accredited personnel and around 250 volunteers were working behind the scenes.

"Our New Year's Eve team and pyrotechnic experts have been working on tonight's event for the past 15 months, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Fireworks will be set off at 9pm and midnight to mark 2024. (Nine)

Aboard a boat on Sydney Harbour is one of the best places to be tonight. (Nine)

For the first time audiences will also get to hear bespoke soundtracks, created for each of the 9pm and midnight fireworks displays.

The 9pm Calling Country display will be set to an original soundtrack produced by Yuin artist and Triple J radio host Nooky and Aria Award winner and Grammy nominee Vincent Goodyer, better known as 18yoman.

The anthemic hip-hop track features elements of traditional First Nations audio weaved throughout.

The midnight display is set to an original score by composer The Sweats and was created to work as a choreographed "dance" between fireworks, lighting and projections.

Revellers pass the time waiting for New Years Eve fireworks at Mrs Macquaries Point. (Max Mason-Hubers)

'We are fearless': Sydney NYE first has crowd enthralled

Early risers secured top spots

Early morning rain didn't deter people from queueing at Mrs Macquaries Point and the Royal Botanic Garden surrounds with lines that snaked as far back as Domain Park just after 6.30am.

One group of men took shifts and brought each other food and supplies to mind their position at the Botanic Garden over three days.

"We are landscape photographers," they told Weekend Today.

This chap was all set with a BBQ on his boat on Sydney Harbour. (Nine)

Hundreds were seen queuing at Mrs Macquaries Point and Royal Botanic Garden surrounds. (Nine)

"This is one of our biggest dreams to capture the best photo of this location."

Others said they had been gathered by the Sydney Opera House since midnight.

At Dawes Point dozens were camped out under the Sydney Harbour Bridge about 7am, almost two hours before the viewpoint even opened to the public.

One group of men took shifts and brought each other food and supplies to mind their position at the Botanic Garden over three days. (Nine)

People waiting in line at the Sydney Opera House. (Nine)

On the Lower North Shore, people donned raincoats and brought along sleeping bags to scoop up the best spot on the fence line at Cremorne Point, while some resorted to placing sticks on blankets to reserve their place.

In the heart of Sydney Harbour, campers on Cockatoo Island set up their tents yesterday afternoon to avoid any disappointment.

By early afternoon, maximum capacity was reached for New Year's Eve celebration spots at Mrs Macquarie's Chair on Sydney Harbour.

Meanwhile Coogee and Parramatta are also expecting large crowds for fireworks displays and entertainment.

Revellers on Cockatoo Island were seen pitching tents as early as Saturday afternoon. (Nine)

Coogee fireworks being prepared in Sydney on New Year's Eve (Nine)

Public transport plea

Transport for NSW coordinator general Howard Collins urged everyone to use public transport, with dozens of road closures in place.

"Time to leave at home, ditch the car, come into Sydney's New Year's Eve, the most spectacular fireworks in the world by public transport," Collins said.

One thousand extra trains and 1200 extra bus services were scheduled for the night.

The government also doubled the timetable of Metro and ferry services. 

Public transport was set to run through the night, particularly trains, which will be the only way to get over the Harbour Bridge for a period of time.

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2023-12-31 10:20:46Z
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