Sydney will be one of the first major cities to welcome in 2010, and the city is planning a suitably extravagant schedule of New Year’s events. Thousands usually gather in Sydney harbour to witness the spectacular celebrations which are broadcast throughout the world, and the party atmosphere is fantastic. The evening typically starts with a Light Parade with various boats sailing through the harbour, then at 9pm there are family fireworks. The pinnacle of the New Year’s Eve fireworks comes at midnight with a display that takes well over a year to plan. Rockets are launched from barges and skyscrapers to cascade down over the iconic Sydney harbour bridge and opera house.

Since the event comes during Australia’s summer, visitors to Sydney can recover from the New Year’s party by sunbathing on Manly or Bondi beach, or by travelling further afield to visit the Coral Reef or Uluru.