New Year’s Eve fireworks are slammed as ‘disappointing’ in Melbourne – and the infuriating midnight act that left revellers outraged in Sydney

Australians have lit off New Year’s Eve fireworks in Melbourne, calling the spectacle ‘disappointing’.

Millions of Australians across the country rang in 2025 after flocking to major cities across the country to watch the iconic fireworks display.

Sydney’s famous fireworks dazzled more than a million partygoers who had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the twelve-minute spectacle over the iconic harbour.

The show included pyrotechnics in two displays, eight fireworks platforms on water and new animal-based designs shooting from the top of the Sydney Opera House’s sails.

Meanwhile, more than half a million revelers converged on Melbourne to watch the fireworks display, which featured 60 laser projections and fireworks set off at 27 points.

However, many Melburnians were left disappointed after starting 2025 with disappointing fireworks displays, with some even calling for them to be ‘cancelled’.

Some in Sydney were also unimpressed after waiting hours at a viewing point only to have their view blocked by a train when the fireworks started.

“So we were just watching the Melbourne fireworks downtown. What was that? It was so bad,” one girl said in a TikTok video.

‘I’ll never recover [Melbourne] city ​​for the fireworks again. I never look at it. We should have just stayed in our hotel room.”

Her friend said: ‘It was so s***. I came from America for this s***? Melbourne is cancelled’.

Another partygoer mocked Melbourne’s fireworks display as hundreds of people tried to film the sporadic display.

“Melbourne after claiming they have world class fireworks 15x better than Sydney,” the caption read.

Other social media users agreed, claiming Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve fireworks were disappointing.

“I was there and I totally agree with them – s*** show,” one person commented.

“Why on earth would you go to Melbourne before Sydney,” wrote a second.

A third said: ‘Yes, just saw a video of the Melb fireworks… no big fireworks, just ‘spritzers’ from the roofs of the buildings and some cheap laser lights. I think the local officials I went to were better.”

Some defended the display, claiming the fireworks were better viewed from afar than in the heart of the CBD.

“You couldn’t see how much space the fireworks took up when you were in them, it was wild watching them from the beach 20 miles away,” one person wrote.

“You have to see it from a distance, I looked on a hill in Hawthorn and it was incredible,” another person commented.

A third added: ‘They’re not really designed to be viewed from the CBD or the city itself, they were great on TV especially with the lasers… very good and much better than Sydney’s.’

Another partygoer even claimed that Melbourne’s fireworks were better than Sydney’s and were suitable for everyone, not just those who are ‘rich’.

“Sydney’s fireworks look spectacular on TV, but can only really be viewed live by those wealthy enough to own a yacht or afford a waterfront house,” they wrote on Reddit.

‘Melbourne sets off fireworks from every tall building in the city. It’s messy and chaotic, but everyone can have fun.”

Online commentators slammed the reveler’s sentiments, with almost everyone claiming that the fireworks in Sydney were and always will be much better than in Melbourne.

One person pointed out that Sydney’s screening lasted a whopping twelve minutes, while Melbourne’s lasted eight minutes.

“Sydney’s fireworks are all over Melbourne at all points, don’t kid yourself,” one person wrote.

‘I’ve seen them both and I can put my hand on my heart: the fireworks shows on NYE in Sydney are much better than those in Melbourne. They have a landmark and a beautiful harbor to do this in, we don’t,” a second person wrote.

A third person added: ‘There are thousands of buildings in Sydney, many of which allow people on their roofs. There are also hundreds of viewpoints where locals meet to enjoy them.

“I’m a born and bred poor boy and have watched them dozens of times with great views.”

However, for some frustrated Sydneysiders, their view of the iconic Harbor display was blocked by a train as the fireworks heralded 2025.

A video shared on TikTok showed crowds of people packed into a viewing point on Alfred Street in Circular Quay.

A train moving slowly through Circular Quay station interrupted the view of the fireworks, angering many partygoers.

“Worst timing for that train to pass and ruin the fireworks,” the video’s caption read.

Social media users said a train at Circular Quay station had also spoiled the view of the fireworks last year.

“It’s the same last year. Some smart people catch the train during this time to get a fantastic view of the fireworks,” one person wrote.

New Year’s Eve was celebrated across the country at midnight on Tuesday, with capital cities and city councils celebrating the start of 2025.

In Brisbane, about 80,000 individual fireworks exploded across the skyline, with more along the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

While in Adelaide, fireworks, food trucks and live music attracted around 25,000 people to the Torrens Riverbank, while more than 400,000 people visited the CBD on New Year’s Eve.

Perth was treated to two explosive displays, one at 8.30pm from a barge on the Swan River and a second midnight display to announce the arrival of 2025.

In Tasmania, Launceston combined fireworks with a festival to showcase more than 40 of the island nation’s top food and drink producers at the seventh annual BeerFest at Royal Park on New Year’s Eve.