New Years Eve in Sydney
Aug 30, 2017, 3:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 30
New Years Eve in Sydney
I'm trying to find a good place to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks for a family of four. We don't have to have front-row seats, but it'd be nice to have a view of the bridge and/or opera house. What are some good options? All of the boats would be over $1000 for four people and it sounds like all of the parks start filling up mid-afternoon. Any other suggestions? Perhaps booking a particular hotel with a harbor view or one of the beaches?
Aug 30, 2017, 3:13 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Aug 30, 2017, 3:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Programs: Virtuoso
Posts: 617
Mwenenzi is accurate abotu hotels, if you find rooms available, they are at a premium.
Most experiences have booked up by now, but there has been an offering through the Royal Botanical Gardens that usually opens around Oct 1st for tickets. I think it is around the $200+ or more for the reserved seating though.
NYE is a big deal and everyone wants the same view you are asking for.
Most experiences have booked up by now, but there has been an offering through the Royal Botanical Gardens that usually opens around Oct 1st for tickets. I think it is around the $200+ or more for the reserved seating though.
NYE is a big deal and everyone wants the same view you are asking for.
Aug 30, 2017, 8:57 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 30
Wow. I expected it to be crowded, but being on the harbor with miles of shoreline, boats and tall buildings I figured there would be something available somewhere. Being a few miles away would be fine as long as there's still a view. We'll be there for 7 days so the minimum stay isn't an issue.
Aug 30, 2017, 9:33 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Wow. I expected it to be crowded, but being on the harbor with miles of shoreline, boats and tall buildings I figured there would be something available somewhere. Being a few miles away would be fine as long as there's still a view. We'll be there for 7 days so the minimum stay isn't an issue.
You really either have to fork out $$$ for a guaranteed spot somewhere decent, or turn up at dawn and wait all day.
The Botannical Gardens is probably the best "value".
https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/nye-picnic
Aug 30, 2017, 9:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: LST
Programs: HH, VA, QF, SQ, Air NZ
Posts: 169
Just to give you an idea of the prices for the night - and this is across the harbour
http://viewhotels.com.au/northsydneyharbourviewhotel/
http://viewhotels.com.au/northsydney..._years_eve.pdf
http://viewhotels.com.au/northsydneyharbourviewhotel/
http://viewhotels.com.au/northsydney..._years_eve.pdf
Aug 30, 2017, 9:54 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 30
Aug 31, 2017, 2:08 am
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Be aware that the botanical garden starts to fill up at 6 am (I kid you not) and by noon all the prime spots are taken, whats left has no view of the anything other than the high flying fireworks. There is a reason that those $1000 view excursions sell out. The catch with hotels as most of the ones with a view would require you to have 2 rooms, as max 1 child and 2 adults in a room (so that is AUD 8000 and up). You won't believe the crowds until you experience it (very friendly but very crowded and for a long time).
Aug 31, 2017, 2:27 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 30
Aug 31, 2017, 4:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 923
There is a private event for the Botanical Gardens Foundation at that lawn starting at 5pm. Cost $75 for members, membership is $65 pp. $140 for non members of the foundation so either way minimum spend is $140.
That information is in the link for the NYE picnic you posted above.
I guess you buy your own food and drinks and that'll be cheaper than getting to a catered event.
That information is in the link for the NYE picnic you posted above.
I guess you buy your own food and drinks and that'll be cheaper than getting to a catered event.
Aug 31, 2017, 7:47 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Yikes! Is that true for the Mare and Foal Lawn or just the public areas? It doesn't look like M&F opens until 5pm and it appears to be an unobstructed lawn on Google Maps. http://www.artphototravel.net/wp-con...cation_Map.jpg
Sep 2, 2017, 8:11 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 30
Went ahead and booked a hotel too (ouch!).
Sep 9, 2017, 9:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
There is a private event for the Botanical Gardens Foundation at that lawn starting at 5pm. Cost $75 for members, membership is $65 pp. $140 for non members of the foundation so either way minimum spend is $140.
That information is in the link for the NYE picnic you posted above.
I guess you buy your own food and drinks and that'll be cheaper than getting to a catered event.
That information is in the link for the NYE picnic you posted above.
I guess you buy your own food and drinks and that'll be cheaper than getting to a catered event.
Sep 10, 2017, 10:08 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Sep 11, 2017, 8:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
Did not have a location listed, so I could not tell. I am deciding between the botanic garden and the opera house program. We were in Sydney for NYE about 15 years ago, were able to picnic in the rocks area, but for some reason I can not recall there were no 9pm fireworks that year, only the midnight ones. I am considering the Opera house which is timed for intermission to see the 9pm fireworks.. and wondering if it is unusual for the 9pm to be cancelled.