Sydney NYE Fireworks 2024: where to watch for free

Open from 10am

Savour the western side of the Sydney Harbour at Simmons Point Reserve free of charge. It's busy here, but not super crowded, with the reserve on the northeastern tip holding 300 people for the fireworks. As with many a Balmain foreshore, it has an uninterrupted view of the bridge, BYO alcohol is allowed, but there are no toilets (you’ll have to pop round to another of the nearby parks for those).

Open from noon

Commanding unique views of Sydney Harbour, McKell is a secret sanctuary where you can swim in the harbour via the sandstone steps, and set your picnic basket down on the water's edge. Why not take the family out to this oasis and spend the last day of the year enjoying Sydney's fireworks?

Open from 4pm

Overlooking Cowper Wharf in Woolloomoolloo, Embarkation Park has a great view of the Harbour Bridge, but beware that the lovely foliage here does mean some limited viewing. 

Open from 3pm-12.30am

If you're a harbour-loving puppy owner, you'll know that this dog-friendly foreshore has incredible sightlines out towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The secluded spot in Rose Bay is an alcohol-free zone and there won't be any food being sold. So it's going to be all about the views here. But take it from us. They're worth it.  

Open from 2pm

If you want to cling to the foreshore, you can stay relatively central and still nab a free firework-viewing seat at Pirrama Park. This family-friendly site doesn't get crowded and offers glorious views over Blackwattle Bay. It can accommodate 7,000 party-goers and will be offering food and drinks all night. If you don't want to buy booze, you can bring it yourself.

Open from 12pm

Though this area is home to an extensive park – perfect for setting up camp with your picnic hamper – it’s also the spot to be if you’re keen to let a little loose on the dance floor, with a number or parties popping up throughout the precinct (more on that here). 

Live music will soundtrack the night from 5pm onwards, and there are water fountains and food trucks and a licenced bar so you can buy booze; leave yours at home for this venue.

Open from 1pm

The Rocks precinct will have five vantage points (Campbell’s Cove, Dawes Point Park, East Circular Quay, West Circular Quay and Hickson Road Reserve). Each of the venues offer their own advantage: with Campbell’s Cove boasting uninterrupted views of the harbour, Dawes Point Park and Hickson Road Reserve offering sheltered picnic spots from beneath the bridge and East and West Circular Quay situating you right in the centre of the action.

Each of The Rocks’ public vantage points are alcohol-free areas, so to stay hydrated, we’d recommend checking out our list of the best restaurants and bars in Circular Quay – they're a failsafe option for an excellent final dinner of the year.

Open from 1pm

Home to a sprawling children’s playground complete with slides, tunnels, swings, water fountains and a 21 metre flying fox, it’s safe to say that Darling Harbour is an excellent family-friendly option.

The free-to-access Cockle Bay vantage opens at 1pm, so you’ll have time to fit in a few hours of play (and possibly a visit to Sea Life Aquarium or Madame Tussauds) before catching the 9pm display.

Food-wise, head to Darling Square for an exhaustive range of options.

Open from 9am

Blues Point Reserve has excellent harbour, city and bridge views and a maritime-themed playground for the kids so when they open at 9am there will be plenty to entertain the fam. This family-friendly site can accommodate up to 7,000 people, and there will be food venues on site.

Open from noon-12.30am

If you're not in the mood to fork out hundreds to tickets for Luna Park's prime possie by the harbour bridge, you can do the next best (free) thing at Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve. Combined, the space can hold up to 16 000 people and there will be plenty of food options on offer. Enjoy grandstand views of Sydney Harbour, and the harbour bridge.