Sydney, Australia; First in the World to Welcome New Year

Most travellers head Down Under to be among the first to welcome in the New Year, and what better place to do so than in Australia’s party capital of Sydney.  The city usually pulls out all the stops for the turn of the year, and boasts the iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the stunning cityscape as the perfect backdrop when the fireworks go off.

The spectacular fireworks show around the harbour is a great place to start, televised to the world each year when the ball drops but absolutely unparalleled to see with your own eyes. There are a host of vantage points around the harbour that are often very popular, so booking well in advance is a good tip to making sure you have a good view.  Head out to Dawes Point, Bradfield Park, and Balls Point for a close-up view, or involve yourself at The Rocks to get into the thick of the party.

At the Sydney Opera House, the Australian Pops Orchestra plays its hotly anticipated annual New Year concerts, with singer Marina Prior returning for a series of performances of popular classical, operatic and jazz songs.  The opera house’s Aria Restaurant is a great place to enjoy a sumptuous dinner before watching the midnight sky light up.

At the historic Fort Denison in the Sydney Harbour, you can enjoy canapés, cocktails, and fine dining.  If you want to enjoy a picnic for the New Year, take a bottle of champagne to Goat Island or Shark Island, where there are plenty of green areas with great vantage points.

Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is home to some of the day’s most popular events, including a three-course dinner at Midnight at the Oasis, great music and snacks at Harbourlights, or bring your own picnic to Lawn with a View.

To the north of the city, many revellers head to Mosman for a glamorous evening on the town.  For New Year, Sydney’s bars and clubs come alive and are packed with music, dancing, games, and fun.  There’s a wealth of entertainment to pack in, all in the knowledge you are ahead of the rest in welcoming in 2014.