Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Best spot for viewing NYE fireworks in Sydney

This will be my first NYE here in SYD and I've heard varying reviews on the best place to view the fireworks (Circular Quay, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, North side of the bridge). Can anyone who's been to more than one location tell me which is the best in their experience and by what time the spots usually fill?

I've seen the list on the City of Sydney website but they don't give fill-up times for all of the spots.

Thx.

I think if you go through Mrs Macquarie's Chair, you cannot bring your own drinks (or at least not disguised as something else). I've arrived at Milsons Point around 8ish for 9PM - no problem. Not sure the latest you can get to Mrs Macquarie's Chair and still get a good spot - probably if you get someone there with a blanket by 4PM you'd be fine. Just don't start drinking too early ;)

Ideally, the best place to be is on the water, but obviously that's not do-able for everyone. Year before last I was on Darling Harbour standing on the Pyrmont Bridge and got a great showing. There was fireworks all through Cockle Bay that were synchrnoised with the fireworks in the Dawes Point / Circular Quay area. It's very family friendly if that helps.

I've seen the list on the City of Sydney website but they don't give fill-up times for all of the spots.

Thx.

The City of Sydney NYE web site does give some site specifics, however... http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/ Drill down to "Vantage Points" and then click on the location's number for information regarding access, restrictions, parking and other information about the key vantage points.

As for fill-in times, I can advise that in past years, in looking down from my high-rise apartment patios at various vantage spots with my trusty binoculars (Leupold Brand, Wind River Katmai 8x32's), places start filling early on the last day of the year and that most locations are filled by mid-day... people seem to be having great fun enjoying the summer day... Families are picnicing, people tossing Frisbees, kids running about, etc.

We're doing the "Lawn with the View," at the Botanical gardnes. Have never seen the fireworks on New Year's Eve before so I'm hoping it's as good as it looks on t-v. :)

Anyone have a decent suggestion for a last minute spot? Thanks to changes by Virgin Blue, I now land at 21:45 on the 31st and probably won't be out of my hotel until 22:30 or 23:00 (The Four Points - Darling Harbour) to find a place to stand.

Any ideas, preferably with a view of the Harbour Bridge?

Anyone have a decent suggestion for a last minute spot? Thanks to changes by Virgin Blue, I now land at 21:45 on the 31st and probably won't be out of my hotel until 22:30 or 23:00 (The Four Points - Darling Harbour) to find a place to stand.

Any ideas, preferably with a view of the Harbour Bridge?

Last minute, the closest you're going to get is on the roof of your hotel, or tuned into Channel 9 on the TV.

but try Milsons Point. You won't get close, but the slope of the land means you'll probably still get a nice view even if you're 4000 rows of people deep.