Sydney is gearing up for its biggest New Year’s Eve fireworks display this year. More than nine tonnes of fireworks will be set off from an impressive 264 firing points.
Fireworks will even be launched on the western side of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge for the first time ever.
The city has been hailed by many as the best place in the world to bring in the New Year.
The show is set to feature animal-shaped fireworks, drones, and aerial platforms for the fireworks to be set off from – another first for Australia.
“We’re always looking at how we can evolve our show and believe this will be one of the most innovative New Year’s Eve displays in the world,” Foti International Fireworks director Fortunato Foti said, according to 9 News.
“The introduction of 80 new positions on the bridge and an additional firing location on the western side has enabled us to extend the footprint of the display and offer people a better view of the fireworks.
“No matter where you are around the harbour, you’re in for a great show.”
City of Sydney executive producer Stephen Gilby said the show is expected to cost AUD $6.3 million (£3.1 million) to put on and will bring in more than AUD $280 million (£138 million) to the local economy.
“Our crews are very busy at the moment setting up a dazzling display,” Gilby said.
“The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the centrepiece of a huge 12-minute display bursting into the sky.”
The show has been carefully crafted around the soundtrack to synchronise the pyrotechnics to music. It will begin with the “Calling to Country” fireworks at 9pm, before the main event after the countdown to midnight.
This tourist attraction draws countless packs of people, with families flooding the viewing areas while bringing picnics.
Securing yourself a spot to watch the incredible display has become such a competition that some of the best free viewing points – including Blue Waters Point Reserve – will open as early as 9am on December 31.
Mrs Macquaries Point, which will open at 10am on December 31, while Spots in the Rocks opens from 1pm.
For the first time, the western side of the bridge will also have pole position, with the show expected to be visible from as far as Leichhardt.
For those who can’t make it into the city to watch the New Year’s Eve show, it will be streamed for free on the City of Sydney website.
With the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as its stunning backdrop, the year-end color bursts display at Sydney Harbour is nothing short of magical.
