Australia on New Year's Eve: How Aussies Will Boogie Down, Down Under

New Years Eve plans don't have to include ways to stay warm while singing Auld Lang Syne, or fighting for a cab in a snowstorm. it's summer down under in Australia! And some time spent with friends and family on a beach or dining alfresco while watching a fireworks display of Olympic proportions can surely be on your December 31st agenda.

Australia is one of the first countries to ring in the new year. Each city center hosts a myriad of events showcasing the individuality of each region, while drawing domestic and international visitors alike.

Please make sure you leave the fireworks to the professionals, however, as they are illegal throughout the country. Here's what's going on, plus our own tips for what to go if you find yourself in Australia this weekend:

Sydney:

Offering one of the most world-famous fireworks shows on the planet, Sydney puts on an event to remember. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the epicenter for the fireworks that not only reflect off the water, but cast a rainbow of light onto the iconic Opera House's white tiles. Our recommendation is to join the boats in the harbor for some unobstructed views of the pyrotechnics. Taronga Zoo, on the opposite side of the water, also offers some of the best firework views coupled with a meal and cocktail party.

Away from the city, Bondi Beach is host to a giant beach party called "Shore Thing." This all-night shindig attracts live musical acts and gives open-air partygoers the opportunity to watch the first dawn of 2012.

Melbourne:

Australia's second largest city, not to mention cultural capital, Melbourne hosts a number of events. With a casino and hotel as extravagant as many Vegas outposts, Crown would make a perfect river-side location to watch the firework show which uses the buildings' skyline as the backdrop to a colorful evening.

Our recommendation is to head out of the city towards the shores of St. Kilda. This bayside suburb offers beautiful views of the ocean and the city, with only a fraction of the crowds. Have a beautiful dinner at Stokehouse on the water, watching the fireworks display from afar.

Brisbane:

Utilizing a handful of bridges that cross the city, Bris-Vegas offers fireworks with various hot spots. Any views of the Storey Bridge will be perfect for catching the contained explosions. Or spend the day at the inland beach of Southbank, catching rays, and when the sun goes down, cross the river to Powerhouse. On the banks of the river, surrounded by New Farm Park, this vintage electric power house is now home to a handful of theaters, a few eateries and a bar.

Perth:

Located on the west coast, Perth offers a good amount of low key and high energy fun. For fireworks, head to the foreshore of the Swan River in East Perth. Or count down the last minutes of 2011 on the historical Town Hall clock while listening to live music and sampling any one of a number of boutique beers. Our recommendation goes to Sail & Anchor, for its 42 local brews on tap.

Since the summer is just getting hot in most of the country, any celebration outdoors would be most appropriate. If you want to be truly Aussie, grab some kangaroo sausages, called "kanga bangas," a few beers and head down to the beach with a few mates. Whatever your desire, or location, please celebrate responsibly.

(Source: Jaunted.com)

New Years Eve in Sydney: A Program of Events

See below for a full list of events taking place on New Years Eve in Sydney 2011

6:00 PM Pre Show Entertainment

Aerial Show

New Years Eve begins! Witness theatre in the sky with spectacular aerial flyovers above Sydney Harbour to signal the start of Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The flyovers, performed by pilot Matt Hall, a former RAAF Fighter Combat (Top Gun) Instructor will commence at 6pm. At 7pm, the Ted Noffs fire tug will arrive and blast tonnes of water into the skies, creating its own dream rainbow in the setting sun, before Matt Hall flies back at 8pm to perform another flyover.

8:00 PM Acknowledgement of Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking Ceremony and Acknowledgement of Country

A smoking ceremony from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vessels will cleanse the Harbour of negative spirits as images projected on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons mark the start of the New Year countdown.

An Acknowledgement of Country on the Harbour will show our respect to the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, and at 8.45pm the custodians call up the first reveal of the Bridge Effect with a series of teaser fireworks.

9:00 PM 9pm Family Fireworks

Designed and choreographed specifically for children, these fireworks will delight and dazzle audiences as the night sky fills with colour. This eight-minute performance is accompanied by a music soundtrack which features chart hits from 2011 including songs by Rhianna, JLo, Wes Carr and Jessica Maubuoy that will entertain the whole family and provide an upbeat and fun atmosphere for this family show. These fireworks are a prelude to the spectacular Sydney fireworks display to follow at midnight.

9:15 PM – 11:30PM Harbour of Light Parade ^TM

Following the 9pm Family Fireworks, a flotilla of vessels switch on their lights and begin a spectacular parade around Sydney Harbour. A crowd favourite, the Harbour of Light Parade features specially lit vessels sailing on a 15km circuit around Sydney Harbour. Selected from design entries, the vessels chosen to take part in the Parade will be illuminated to represent the 2011 Sydney New Year’s Eve theme Time to Dream. The Parade will include tall ships, Sydney’s Heritage Fleet, commercial charter vessels and Sydney Ferries.

Experience Sydney New Years Eve on a Harbour of Light Parade vessel.

Official Harbour of Light Parade vessels are given access inside the Harbour exclusion zone on Sydney New Year’s Eve. Passengers onboard will be treated to exclusive views of the 9pm Family fireworks, the stunning Bridge Effect and Midnight Displays from designated viewing areas. For more information about each official Harbour of Light Parade vessel and ticket sales, contact the individual vessel operator by clicking on the vessels listed below. Get your tickets early. Don’t miss out.

12:00 AM Midnight Fireworks

At the stroke of midnight, we celebrate the start of a new year! Sydney does this in style by lighting up the night sky with a spectacular Fireworks Display launched from seven barges on the Harbour, the rooftops of seven city skyscrapers and, unforgettably, from Sydney Harbour Bridge. Bringing more than 1.5 million people to the Harbour, this majestic 12-minute Fireworks Display is the reason why Sydney is the New Years Eve capital of the world.

Where can I watch the Sydney Fireworks?

Check out the Fireworks Vantage Points Interactive Map to discover the best places to watch the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks, along with information on facilities and services at each site.

View the Sydney Fireworks Vantage Points Map

Road Closures

Download the PDF for Sydney CBD & Ultimo/Pyrmont Road Closures & Special Event Clearways for New Year's Eve 2011/New Year's Day 2012.

*Please note: Road closure locations and times are subject to change by Police. Phone 132 701 for up to date information.

2011 Accessibility Information

Download the SNYE Accessibility Map, please see our accessibility page for additonal information.

2011 Vantage Point Map & Table

Download the PDF for the 2011 Sydney NYE Vantage Point Map and full listing.

2011 Alcohol Free Zones Map

Download the PDF for the 2011 Sydney New Year's Eve alcohol free zones map and information.

View Offical NNE Sydney Website

The 10 Best Sydney Events to Impress your Guests Over the Summer

It’s meant to be the biggest night of the year, but more often than thought, our New Years fizzle slowly like a dud firework.

To make sure you count down the New Year in style and with plenty of fun, we’vr has sussed out the hottest spots in Sydney this New Years Eve.

Begin fresh, celebrate, announce your New Years Resolutions (promise you will stick to them this year), sneak in a few beverages in between and let your night explode as we say goodbye to the year that was.

Bungalow 8
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Bungalow 8’s ‘Bungapalooza Carnival’ just screams fun. Coney Island meet Full Moon Party, the harbour side venue will offer live music and performances, fairy floss and carnival games to keep the night young.

With the carnival madness beginning with a walk through Side Show Alley to play the carnival must-have laughing clowns, you are then invited to test out your luck on the dunking machine.

With live music acts from graff artists, circus acts from Captain Finhead, DJ performances from DJ Flagrant along side Van She, there is plenty of entertainment to last the night.

For those lucky VIP ticket holders, the carnival starts early with endless amounts of food and drink available from 6-8pm.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
First release tickets available now through www.moshtix.com.au for $50.
VIP tickets available now from www.moshtix.com.au $130.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The Loft
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Take a step upstairs to theloft and back into the 1920’s at theloft and Moet & Chandon’s ‘A Night at the Savoy’.

Indulge in the ‘anything goes’ jazz age in style as a 250 glass, 11 tiered tower of Moet champagne is poured when the clock strikes twelve.

Enjoy free flowing champagne, fresh oysters, hand dipped chocolate strawberries and an extensive array of gourmet canapés as you celebrate to the beats of DJ Pete Dolso and Kristy Lee, as well as the soulful voice of Grover.

International Burlesque performer, Rachel St James will also be performing her signature champagne glass routine.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Tickets available now through www.moshtix.com.au or call 1300 GET TIX. Tickets are $225 each.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The Argyle
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Welcome 2012 in the heart of The Rocks with a night of unlimited passouts, great music and views of the New Years fireworks.

Be sure you are not to miss headlining act, Sonny Fodera aswell as resident DJs Phil Hudson, Elly K, LaVida and Random Soul who will hit the beats in the main room. Yogi and Husky are set to perform in the Reibey Room, making a night of dancing and celebration like no other.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Tickets for NYE are $60, and are available online at www.theargylerocks.com or for $50 by using a promo code obtained from http://www.facebook.com/TheArgyleRocks .
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NYE 2011 City of Sydney
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Sydney Harbour and its foreshores promise for a great night with fantastic views and endless entertainment.

Make sure you get the picnic rug out early though to fight the crowds and secure your spot in time for the pre show entertainment starting at 5pm.

With aerial displays from Matt Hall at 6pm, followed by the Ted Noffs fire tug water show at 7pm, the night will be off to a great start.

At 8pm the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking Ceremony will commence, with the Silver Spray, Tribal Warrior and Mari Nawi vessls cleansing the harbour of negative spirits, before concluding with daytime pyrotechnics and traditional eucalyptus smoke. This is then to be followed with an Acknowledgement of Country to show respect to the traditional custodians of the land and sea, the Gadigal, Eora and all First Nation peoples.

The eight minute family fireworks display is to begin at 9pm and is synchronised to a mix of children’s movie soundtracks, pop songs and classical music.

The biggest yet Harbour of Light Parade is to follow, parading 55 vessels in a 15km loop around the harbour.

Count down the New Year and watch the magic of the fireworks in the midnight finale and celebrate into the early morning and first day of 2012.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
No cost, but plenty of crowds. Be sure to take public transport and get in early to secure a good spot!
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Cockle Bay Wharf
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Begin your night at 7.30 and watch Cockle Bay Wharf come alive. Celebrate and be amazed by the Pyrophone Juggernaut, the largest hand operated multi-octave fire organ in the world. With 15 metre high flames, 5 artists and rhythmical sounds, it will make for a night like no other.

Continue to be amazed by fire juggling, acrobatic fire-twirling, flame throwing and fire breathing, followed by Chinese Lion Dancing performances and a fire cracker finale.

At 9pm and again at midnight, the sky will explode with a kaleidoscope of colour as the firework display marks the start of the New Year.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
For more info head to darlingharbour.com.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
ivy
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Celebrate New Years Eve and the beginning of 2012 in true style at the ivy. With one of the world’s most in demand DJs, Erick Morillo headlining and DJ Dimitri From Paris and Ian Carey completing the international line-up, it’s a not-to-miss event.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Tickets are available now from www.ivynye.com.au for $99.95.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Field Day NYD
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Why stop with the celebrations if you don’t have to? Continue the party at Field Day on New Years Day.

With electronic music sensation Justice headlining, and the likes of Calvin Harris, Gotye and Crystal Castles playing, there really isn’t any excuse not to go.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Tickets start at $135 and are available from fielddaynyd.com.au.
For the full line up and more info, head to fielddaynyd.com.au.

Get in Early to Welcome 2012 - New Years Eve in Sydney

Sydney once again welcomed in 2011 with another amazing fireworks extravaganza.

Rated as "the place to be for New Year's Eve" throughout the world, Sydney promises to put on another show to welcome in 2012.

So, if you want to be part of the action and ensure you are there to soak up the sun, fun and fireworks then make sure you book your accommodation now.

The earlier you book your accommodation the cheaper it is going to be for you. If you leave it until a few months, weeks or even days before the big event you will end up having to pay an arm, a leg and pretty much most other parts of your anatomy.

Metro Hotels has 5 properties all with Sydney CBD and all within a few minutes walk of Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where the two biggest and best http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giffireworks displays take place.

To book your accommodadtion NOW log on to www.metrohotels.com.au

New Years blog posting - 12 things you must do every day

Every year we all make “New Year’s Resolutions” – promises to ourselves that basically fall into a big heap after only the first week of trying.

The problem with most New Year’s Resolutions is that we try to aim too big. This year, why not lower your standards slightly (okay – you need to lower them a lot) and try to do more things that are much easier to achieve.

If you are stuck for ideas then try the following……………

Top 13 Things You Must Do Every Day

Get eight hours sleep a night. Easy! A double-dip win. More time lazing around in bed, more feelings of revitalization the next day.
Eat two serves of fruit and vegetables a day. This might be less daunting than it sounds. Does wine and beer count as wine is made from grapes (fruit) and beer comes from hops (vegetables???).
Drink three litres of water a day. Hold on – didn’t it used to be only two litres a day, last year???
Make your own lunch every day instead of buying it. This will save you around $10 a day (if you live in the city) which equates to a business class ticket to London at the end of the year……good idea!
Do at least half an hour of exercise each day. Does making your own lunch and all the trips to the toilet after drinking 3 litres of water count as exercise???
Get out of the office to each your lunch. Could this be combined with # 5 above? Are you getting the feeling that exercise is not high on the priority list J
Start power napping. You’ll need to after all the exercising your doing and if you have totally disregarded what was mentioned in #1 and stayed up all night surfing the net! Hey, does surfing the net count as exercise?????
Do one thing every day that scares you. What!!!!! Eating fruit and vegetables; drinking three litres of water; making your own lunch and all that exercise isn’t scary enough??????????
Get home in time to have dinner with your family. For some people this could be the answer to # 8 above. It is also a great opportunity to eat more of those fruit and vegetables and down some more water. And if your lucky there will be leftover for you to pack for lunch the next day.
Spend some meaningful time with your partner. See # 9 above and while we’re on the subject, you could make your lunch together with your partner. Not only is this good bonding time but you’ll save twice the money meaning your partner can come on that business class flight with you to London.
Get some “me” time. Yes please. No more water, fruit or vegetables, no more sleeping and definitely no more exercise. It’s all about alcohol, chocolate, fast food, TV etc etc etc.
Slow down and smell the roses. After all that exercising, drinking water, eating, bonding and scaring, you’ve got even less energy left to get through your actual workload. You’re now so far behind with everything you might as well totally chill-out and take time to smell the roses.
Be more ruthless with setting your daily priorities and deciding on who you should take advice from :-

Happy new year!!!

Valentines Day Australia

Valentines Day Australia

New Years Eve Sydney Fireworks Display 2010

Images of the New Years Eve Sydney Fireworks Display 2010 seeing in the new year 2011