New Year's Eve in Sydney!

New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sydney are a dazzling, deafening and altogether wonderful assault on the senses. For over 20 years I have been promising myself a New Year’s Eve in Sydney and taking my sons to see the cricket was the perfect excuse. I have visited Australia many times, having fallen in love with the country on my very first whistle-stop tour. The weather, the beaches, the outdoor way of life, great food and wine, welcoming Aussies, relaxed lifestyle – the list of positives is endless. Sydney Harbour is one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world and, being the trip of a lifetime, only a Harbour View room would do. Opening the door every evening and being confronted with the iconic Opera House lit up in all its glory quite literally took my breath away. Our hotel in the historic Rocks area had a rooftop swimming pool and deck overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. On New Year’s Eve we could pop up to the rooftop to see the different events starting around 6pm. I had been watching the crowds gather on the pavements below us around the harbour’s edge from about 7am. There are many viewpoints all around the harbour and at Darling Harbour, with several displays going on. Some of the viewpoints are alcohol free and all are monitored by police, so everyone has a good time. It’s possible to book private events around the city costing from upwards of a couple of hundred pounds a ticket, or to enjoy the fireworks from one of the many boats and yachts that sail the harbour festooned with twinkling lights. There are important considerations when planning your trip. Firstly, getting to Australia is not cheap and it takes a long time. Unless you don’t mind being cramped in Economy class seats for nearly 24 hours you might want to break your journey for a night or two en route or consider upgrading your seats to Premium Economy for a little more legroom and comfort (usually hundreds rather than thousands of pounds) or to Business class for a superior service and lie-flat bed (thousands of pounds). Christmas and New Year is peak time. It is essential to book early, ideally as soon as flights go on sale around 11 months prior to departure, and whilst there is still availability for hotel rooms in good locations. Harbour view rooms are at a premium in Sydney, and those in the know are quick off the mark to book. Sydney has over 100 beaches and endless attractions. The historic Rocks area has wonderful old pubs, boutique shopping, galleries and markets. It is also where visitors will find the famous Sydney Bridge Climb. The Discovery Museum traces the history of the Aboriginal people who inhabited the shores of Sydney Harbour from the arrival of the First Fleet through to the present day. Circular Quay is the busy transport hub of the city. Taking the ferry to the laid-back beaches of Manly is ideal for capturing close-up photos of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Botanical Gardens are the perfect spot for a picnic, or you could catch a concert in the Domain. A tour of the SGC is a must for cricket fans, while lively Darling Harbour is home to numerous restaurants, the Sydney Aquarium and Madam Tussauds. I recommend taking a trip beyond the city to the Blue Mountains for spectacular scenery and natural wilderness, the Hunter Valley for rolling countryside and superb wineries, or Port Stephens for dolphin watching and golden sand dunes. These trips are often combined with a stop at a wildlife park for photo opportunities with a cute koala bear and other native animals. British passport holders will need an “eta” or electronic authority to travel to Australia. Going to Australia warrants at least two weeks, ideally longer, and you could take in several different destinations, time and budget permitting. From the stunning Indian Ocean beaches of Western Australia and the vibrant cities of Sydney and Melbourne, to the brooding spiritual beauty and Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of Ayers Rock or the unrivalled marine life of the Great Barrier Reef, to name just a few, Australia is a world within one country and truly has something for everyone. I enjoyed every second of my dream trip and I would love to help you plan yours! Call me today for ideas and inspiration!