I spent New Year's Eve with a group of friends and friends of friends in the city. None of us had ever ventured in to see the fireworks live before, and we thought it was about time that we did!
We caught the train into Sydney, first to Central Station, and then to Circular Quay.
Once we got to Circular Quay, we walked through The Rocks, all the way up to Observatory Hill.
It was boiling hot in the middle of the day, so we were glad when we finally made it!
And look at the view we had- perfect position for watching the fireworks off the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
There were heaps of big beautiful Moreton Bay Fig Trees on Observatory Hill that we all sat under for shade.
We also had a beautiful view of Sydney harbour.
We spent the afternoon staking out a good spot (complete with a park bench and everything!)
We enjoyed a picnic lunch, and played card games.
Once the sun started setting, I had to get my camera out and take some photos because it was simply stunning light.
As 9pm rolled around, we waited in anticipation for the first of the fireworks shows to start.
The Bridge and all the city lights were looking beautiful all lit up in preparation.
Finally the 9 o'clock family fireworks show started!
And then, a couple of hours later, as midnight arrived, the bigger fireworks show started. Sydney is renowned for having the best New Years fireworks in the world, and at midnight, the fireworks were let off from the Bridge, something Sydney-siders look forward to seeing every year.
From where we stood, behind the Bridge, it was a little harder to see the fireworks and lights on the Bridge as there was virtually no breeze which meant no wind to get rid of smoke from letting the fireworks off. This meant that the 12 o'clock fireworks were not as easy to see as the 9 o'clock ones, but we still got a good view of the fireworks that were let off from the barges that were stationed in the harbour.
Another Sydney NYE tradition is to display a lit up picture on the Bridge. It's always something symbolic and supposed to set the course for the New Year. In the past we've had a dove, yin and yang symbol, a coathanger (the Bridge's nickname), a smiley face, and the word 'Eternity' written in script.
This year, some people thought we'd just keep the big 'O' that's been up there since Oprah has just visited!
But no, this year it was...
a handprint.
It was actually really cool, it was designed to look like a real giant handprint, with finger prints and everything.
Leaving the city was of course the definition of chaos, fighting crowds, waiting in line, trying to fit on overcrowded trains. We got home after 3am, a good 15 hours after we'd left home!
It was a great experience though, and definitely something I'm glad I've ticked off my to-do list.
