Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks: Barangaroo Reserve and Royal Botanic Garden among free places

Sydney’s NYE ​​fireworks welcome the world to the world’s first major celebration of the New Year, and the state government is making many of the city’s most popular viewing spots free again for everyone.

NSW’s previous Liberal government introduced ticketed areas for government-owned venues on Sydney Harbor waterfront in 2018, to howls of public anger and resentment.

The Minns Labor government announced on Sunday that it would be scaling back coverage costs in many locations following an election pledge.

Viewing fireworks will again be free at Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay, Campbells Cove, Hickson Road Reserve and parts of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain.

The iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Point, where revelers previously paid between $12.50 and $520 for a spot, will also be free to enter.

It is first come, first served, with the most enthusiastic crowd expected at their favorite spots at least a day in advance.

Locations will be closed once their capacity is reached.

Several public domain venues in Sydney Harbor will also be free, with entry managed through a ticketing system.

These include Bradleys Head, Strickland Estate, Clark Island, Goat Island and Shark Island.

There will still be smoke and alcohol free areas in the city and free entry, managed through a ticketing system, will remain valid for the NYE at the Cahill Expressway event.

The changes will once again allow around 60,000 Sydneysiders and visitors free access to some of the harbour’s best viewpoints.

They also mean relevant NSW government agencies will miss out on $5 million in revenue, but Prime Minister Chris Minns said Sydneysiders should not be berated for using their own city.

“New Year’s Eve in Sydney Harbor is one of the first to be celebrated in the world, so images of (the harbor) are broadcast around the world for 24 hours,” he said on Sunday.

NSW’s previous Liberal government introduced ticketed areas to government-owned venues on Sydney Harbor waterfront in 2018 to howls of public anger and resentment

“We want those foreshores full of tourists and Sydneysiders to send a message to the world: come to Sydney, throw a party, spend money and get our economy back to normal.”

Mr Minns said his government wanted to stop the “creeping commercialisation” of prime public land.

“It’s a big part of Sydney’s history to have access to this beautiful part of the waterfront and we’re democratizing it and making it available to the families of this state,” he said.

Limited exemptions have been granted to two charities, the Taronga Conservation Society of Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Foundation, to continue their annual New Year’s Eve fundraisers through an entrance fee.