Fancy rooftop terrace dancing, a seafood feast and lots of bubbles or bobbing around on Sydney Harbour while enjoying a front row seat to the city’s whizzbang New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Or maybe sashaying the night away fresh from Melbourne’s sensational Moulin Rouge: The Musical, then catching the city’s glittering celebrations on the Yarra River – the options in both cities are many as we say farewell to a lacklustre 2021.
One of the quirkiest places to ring in the new year is at the Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks where a rooftop terrace party is planned on the archaeological dig site dating back to colonial days.
The five-star boutique wharf-front Ovolo Woolloomooloo is hosting an ode to Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Event with renowned DJ, Nat Conway with an oyster bar and roaming canapés – there’s a premium four-hour beverage package, including Taittinger Champagne.
You can also celebrate at Sydney’s highest bar (Bar 83 at Sydney Tower) which is a lofty 83 storeys above street level. Sky-high revellers can catch the fireworks from the 260-degree views.
Other sky-high celebrations include the VIP harbourside party at Zephyr Sky Bar perched on Level 12 of the Hyatt Regency Sydney that was awarded the Hotel Bar of the Year in 2020.
Splash out and take to the water on board the three-deck Sydney 2000 boat, which can cruise inside the harbour-exclusion zone for an incredible view of the midnight fireworks. The Captain Cook cruise features all-inclusive food, premium drinks and live entertainment.
Glam up for Australia’s most iconic New Year’s Eve party which is back at the Sydney Opera House with the eclectic La Bohème, set in 1930s Berlin. The story explores love, jealousy and loss, peppered with romance and tragedy. Enjoy the Midnight Party in the northern foyers where you can catch those spectacular fireworks.
There will be plenty of songs at nearby Cockatoo Island where Opera Australia will host a new outdoor event timed to match up with the early 9pm fireworks extravaganza over the harbour.
The two-hour show features opera-singing stalwarts Stacey Alleaume, Natalie Aroyan, Chanyang Choi, Diego Torre and Luke Gabbedy, hosted by Jonathan Biggins with Tahu Matheson as conductor. Tickets include a return ferry ride and there is a range of dinner options from a casual picnic box to a fancy three-course dinner warm-up and after-party.
Lash out at Sydney’s fabulous Quay restaurant with executive chef Peter Gilmore. It’s in prime fireworks position perched at the end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Indulge in a seven-course fine dining experience to you can ring in the new year at a cost of $1500.
On the last evening of 2021, every diner at The Star’s four signature restaurants (Sokyo, Black Bar & Grill, Flying Fish and Cucina Porto) will enjoy a beautifully curated meal, a complimentary freshly shucked oyster and glass of chilled champagne and the chance to win a South Sea Pearl valued at up to $10,000.
Sydney’s Park Regis City Centre is offering a NYE recovery package that will help ease the headaches the next day with Berocca, water, and fruit for recovery.
In Melbourne, join a cruise on the Yarra and watch the spectacular fireworks or book a hotel package and indulge in great dining and bubbles as you welcome 2022.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the quirky, head-turning Quincy Hotel with an eclectic dinner at Salted Egg where a share-style menu features delicacies by Head Chef Adam Woodfield. Go a la carte menu or indulge in a set menu including a glass of champagne for $99 per person and book a “stay three, pay two” package.
QT Melbourne will be host a rooftop party. Dinner packages are available including oysters shucked to order, barbecue and grill smouldering, a caviar and dessert station and delicious canapés throughout the entire evening.
Disco all night with vinyl DJs at Ovolo South Yarra. The “80s in the Sótano” translates to Eighties music in the basement bar with flowing Perrier-Jouët Champagne, specialised cocktails and vegan morsels.
The elegant Langham Hotel Melbourne is offering a New Year’s Eve dinner, priced from $125 per adult inclusive of seafood stand, entrée, main course and dessert.
For the ultimate extravagance, book luxury accommodation, secure a guaranteed window table upgrade at Melba Restaurant and select a premium beverage package for $99 per adult including Louis Roederer French Champagne and exceptional Yarra Valley wines.
