More than a million Aussies are expected to descend on Sydney to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The world-famous spectacle kicks off after a turbulent week in which train strikes threatened to derail the event.
Follow Daily Mail Australia’s live coverage here.
Crowds ignore the rules at the viewing point on New Year’s Eve
Wild footage captured the moment hundreds of Australians raced to get the best spot at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
“Shame on whoever started running and broke the ropes,” the caption read.
Eager partygoers were seen carrying camping equipment and bags as they ran through the park under a boundary rope.
Social media users were quick to slam the crowd.
“Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything worse,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Are they going to sit there all day waiting for fireworks tonight? No thanks.”
When does the fun start?
New Year’s Eve festivities begin at 7:30 PM with a smoking ritual, followed by a Welcome to Country speech at 8:30 PM.
The speech will be quickly followed by lighting the Harbor Bridge pylons with projections and Calling Country Fireworks at 9pm.
Boats covered in festive lights will sail through the harbor from 9:15 p.m.
British singer Robbie Williams will sing live from 11:45 p.m., followed by the much-anticipated fireworks at midnight.
Dedicated viewers lined up at 1am for the best spot
Hundreds have flooded the spots touted as the best place in Sydney for the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
But even those heading to the harbor this morning missed out on the most coveted seats, with a number of dedicated spectators arriving as early as 1am.
The queue to the Bradfield Park viewpoint in North Sydney was already 350 meters long by 7am.
By 11am, Fleet Steps, Blues Point and the Sydney Opera House were almost at full capacity.
Crowds at this year’s event are expected to be the biggest ever, with millions more people tuning in for TV coverage.
New Year’s Eve fireworks are saved
The New Year’s Eve fireworks display was saved after an eleventh-hour deal between rail unions and the NSW government last week.
Revelers were concerned about the looming cancellation of the fireworks display due to train strikes amid an ongoing wage battle.
A hearing on Christmas Eve collapsed when the Fair Work Commission agreed the union had dropped sufficient action to cause negligible risk to the New Year’s celebrations.
Thousands show up hours before the fireworks
Thousands of Australians have flocked to viewing points on Sydney Harbor ahead of the fireworks.
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