Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Sydney NYE with kids - recommendations?

I am looking for some advice for this upcoming NYE in Sydney, I will be with my wife (we are 30-40-ish), 2 kids ages 3 and 6, and a 70 year old Mom-in-law.

We're staying at Park Hyatt Dec 23-31 and Jan 1-5, but, we have to leave the Park Hyatt on Dec 31 for one night as we didn't book in time, and we will thus be staying at Sheraton on the Park for the one night of NYE.

I've done very considerable research both on FT and off FT. I've seen techgirl's 2009 thread and the many helpful replies. However those were aimed at a single solo traveler, and I thought I would start a new thread to specifically ask for recommendations with kids.

If I were NOT with kids, and just with my wife, from all my research, I would probably go on a boat in the harbor and it would probably be the James Craig as that appears to be one of only two boats permitted into the exclusion zone between the opera house and the rocks during the fireworks; it appears from my research all other boats must leave the exclusion zone and back off considerably farther away. The James Craig is also nice because it has a cancellation policy of up to 21 Dec. so this is a nice fallback just in case anyone gets sick or something, and we don't travel. All the cruises with food seem to be about the same price (600-800-ish). BUT, with kids, this doesn't seem like a good option so I have to decide, leave kids in hotel with Mom in law, and go on the boat with my wife, or try to set up something with the kids.

I'd like to have any opinions on any way to do this night with the kids. The best I can come up with is to perhaps consider some picnic site at Royal Botanical Gardens. It looks like I could join the society ($65 to charity) and then get access to tickets on the Friends of the Gardens lawn which appears to be the least crowded (from pictures online at least) of the various Botanical Gardens options. It looks from the picture like maybe I could get down there, have my kids see the 9pm fireworks, and perhaps, they could sleep a little on our blankets before midnight. It looks like it might not be super unreasonable to walk back to the Sheraton from here...which it seems may be necessary as there probably won't be cabs, etc. after midnight.

I'd really, really value any guidance of locals or others who have been down there for NYE with kids of any good options I should consider, if I want to try to include the little ones in the festivities this evening. Thanks! ^

From what you've found, it's a pretty good plan. However, I'd point out:

- I doubt there will be a spot that isn't crowded, even in the Botanical Gardens. Whether you join the society, you'll most likely still be charged additional for a ticket to access these areas.

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/new_years_eve_2011

- Most of the CBD, which includes the Gardens and the Sheraton will be blocked off from traffic, so you can only walk. With the amount of people, it may take about 30 minutes to get back to the hotel.

- I think your picnic idea is a good one, but need fine tuning. There are people that grab free spots around the harbour, but you'll need to get there in the morning and stay there the whole day.

- Another option is go to the zoo, it has one of the best views to Sydney, and would be fun for the kids. However, it's on the other side of the harbour and will add considerable time for you to return. If your Sheraton night can be changed, stay somewhere on the North Shore?

http://taronga.org.au/support-us/events/upcoming-events/nye-2011/new-years-eve-2011-taronga-zoo

- Regardless of what option you choose, you either spend the whole day occupying a spot or you'll have to spend money.

Another option would be to go to Shark Island or Goat Island. Ticket details are here:

http://www.wildwildworld.com.au/NYE

The island functions are designed to be very child friendly. You book a ferry for a particular time - the ferry for Goat Island leaves from Circular Quay (20-30 minutes walk from the Sheraton) and for Shark Island leaves from Rose Bay. You can get a ferry to Rose Bay, but you'd need to catch a cab or a bus back into town. That won't be so hard as you will be going against the flow with the cabs (i.e. they are all looking to get a fare back into town so they can pick someone else up !).

Another alterative is to go with something like Sydney Tall Ships:

http://www.sydneytallships.com.au/special-event-cruises.html

The kids would love the boat. It's not a cheap cruise though. There's not issue with being in or outside the "exclusion zone". The view is probably better from a bit further out. It's a big bridge. If you are too close, you just need to look up the whole time !

Wow, all of the above appear from a perusal of the links provided to be really great additional options. I had not found any of them (likely because I was focusing my search on the Quay and surrounding area...too narrow obviously!). Thank you very, very much, Leumas and Ozzie. I'll do some more research on these.

The island functions are designed to be very child friendly. You book a ferry for a particular time - the ferry for Goat Island leaves from Circular Quay (20-30 minutes walk from the Sheraton) and for Shark Island leaves from Rose Bay. You can get a ferry to Rose Bay, but you'd need to catch a cab or a bus back into town. That won't be so hard as you will be going against the flow with the cabs (i.e. they are all looking to get a fare back into town so they can pick someone else up !).

A great suggestion, but I wouldn't count on being dropped at Rose Bay and expecting a cab. On NYE cabs are hard to get in that part of Sydney. You could end up waiting an hour or two.

This is a few years ago, but I actually walked from a house party in Vaucluse to Paddington without seeing a single vacant cab. A couple of years ago I walked from Bondi to Paddington again without seeing a cab. If you decide on Shark Island then I'd really suggest booking a car to pick you up.

The bus will still be running and will drop you right in front of your hotel. But with kids at that time of night (and with nearly everyone on the bus being "in high spirits") it's probably not the best idea.

Another alterative is to go with something like Sydney Tall Ships:

http://www.sydneytallships.com.au/sp...t-cruises.html

The kids would love the boat. It's not a cheap cruise though. There's not issue with being in or outside the "exclusion zone". The view is probably better from a bit further out. It's a big bridge. If you are too close, you just need to look up the whole time !

That's a great idea!

Re the picnice idea: I'm with Leumas, you won't find any spots with Harbour views available unless you get there about 5am on the 31st.

I think Leumas, Ozzie and Bensyd have all made great suggestions, I would only add a couple of things:

- Generally, it would be wise to steer away from the CBD and stick to the surrounding areas (Kirribilli/McMahon's Point/Lavender Bay etc) as some people become intoxicated beyond belief (even with an alcohol ban) and there are some images that you DON'T want your kids to remember.

- In terms of transportation, I wouldn't be too worried as I believe Sydney excel in terms of preparation for such events. Having just spent NYE in Dubai where a group of us walked for over 3 hours until we found a Metro Station that would take people, Sydney is better prepared (an understatement) in providing free transport within the CBD (some buses and train lines).

- One of the best places I'd recommend (if you want the family picnic) is to arrive at Blue's Point Road early in the morning and set up there. Not many people venture out that way (they tend to stick to the Botanical Gardens and Opera House area) but I think it has the BEST view of the Harbour Bridge.

These are some images off Google Maps:

http://i43.tinypic.com/nwlag6.png

http://i43.tinypic.com/o0yyk0.png

http://i41.tinypic.com/9r58jt.png

Re the picnice idea: I'm with Leumas, you won't find any spots with Harbour views available unless you get there about 5am on the 31st.
Yep, for last new year's eve (i.e. the one about five weeks ago), there were people camping in the best places by lunch time on 30 December. (I saw them from a ferry...)

Blues point is great (I have a friend with an apartment just around the corner which I go to most years). The trouble is getting home from there, particularly with kids. The closest open road is in North Sydney - probably about 40 minutes walk with the crowds. You could get a train back into town from North Sydney - the only other real option is to walk back over the bridge. Maybe take a hotel room in North Sydney for the night instead if you are moving in any event ?

The view from Goat Island would be very similar to the one in the pics from Blues Point. Shark Island is somewhat further away, but the distance views are also great as you see the fireworks all down the harbour. Clark Island has an obstructed view and I wouldn't recommend it if the others are available.

Just want to thank everyone again - all the help & ideas are really appreciated! ^^^