Melbourne is preparing to ring in the new year with midnight fireworks in front of a huge crowd.
The crowds in the Victorian capital are expected to be similar to those on New Year's Eve 2022, when a record 475,000 revelers flooded the CBD.
An eight-minute fireworks display at midnight will feature more lasers and projections than in previous years, lighting up the skyline from 27 rooftops.
This is preceded by a five-minute screening at 9:30 p.m., with four Celebration Zones will be set up in Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Kings Domain and Treasury Gardens.
The zones are free and host live performances and food trucks, which stay open until 1am
which are free to enter and host food trucks, installations and live performances.
These areas are open from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
The crowds in the Victorian capital are expected to be similar to those on New Year's Eve 2022, when a record 475,000 revelers flooded the CBD
An eight-minute fireworks display at midnight features more lasers and projections than previous years and lights up the skyline from 27 rooftops
The City of Melbourne advised viewing the fireworks from afar, saying that “views of the skyline from further away provide the best show.”
Free public transport will also be available until 6am on New Year's Day, including trams, trains, city and regional buses and V/Line services.
No myki ticket is required.
Public transport is recommended and several roads and walkways will be closed to prevent crowd crushing in the CBD. More information is available on the city's website.
Fireworks in Adelaide will be entirely visible from the Riverbank district, with authorities in South Australia also warning revelers not to overdo their celebrations.
“Do not welcome 2024 to a police cell,” SA Police Assistant Commissioner Narelle Kameniar said.
“This celebration is not an excuse for drunken violence.”
Perth will be treated to two explosive displays, one at 8pm from a barge on the Swan River and a second at midnight when fireworks atop buildings across the city will herald 2024.
The forecast wet weather could put a dampener on shows in parts of eastern Australia, while other regions are set to swelter.
Parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia have been warned and temperatures are expected to be 8 to 12 degrees above average.
In Brisbane, the South Bank Parklands will host two fireworks shows along the Brisbane River, one at 8.30pm and one at midnight.
More than 80,000 fireworks will light up the skyline in what is expected to be Brisbane's biggest display.
Gold Coast Council initially considered canceling some events, with possible fire risks, but continues to list them on its website, including fireworks at 8pm at Coomera Sports Park and Broadwater Parklands, 8.30pm at Lake Orr Varsity Promenade and 9pm at Paradise Point Parklands. .
Sydney will be one of the first major cities in the world to celebrate, setting the tone with 20 minutes of fireworks, a smoking ceremony, AI-powered projections on the harbor bridge and illuminated boats on the water.
More than a million people are expected to flock to the harbor and surrounding viewpoints.
Cloudy weather is expected in Sydney on Sunday with a high of 24 degrees, while Melbourne will be partly cloudy with a high of 21 degrees.
Brisbane reaches 31C, Perth 31C, Adelaide 26C, Hobart 23C, Darwin 35C and Canberra 22C.
