The Most Awesome Ways To Spend New Year’s Eve 2021 in Australia

Are you still looking for the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve 2021?

New Year’s Eve in Australia is one of the most anticipated nights of the year, and there are many ways to celebrate. Some usher in a new year with champagne, others flock to designated firework zones. Many flee the cities, hoping for nothing more than a conversation with a rogue kangaroo. Whatever your preference, we have some suggestions to help you ring in 2022 in style.

1. NYE @ Pier One, Sydney, NSW

As far as unbeatable views go, you’ll soon discover that uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the world-renowned New Year’s Eve fireworks display both rank pretty highly on the list. Pier One Sydney Harbour is the perfect location for both.

After the year we’ve all had, there has been no better time to grab your friends and book your own exclusive table or private area for New Year’s Eve 2021. Enjoy premium drinking and dining overlooking the water and the best views in Sydney.

2. True North New Year Spectacular, Sydney, NSW

Start 2021 relaxing onboard the exclusive expedition ship True North.

The four-night New Year’s Eve journey will explore some of Sydney’s most peaceful spots, including Pittwater and Maitland Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Cowan Creek – and you get beach barbecues and scenic flights thrown in for good measure.

As for the big event, Sydney’s midnight fireworks can be viewed from one of the best vantage points in the city – on the water.

3. Beyond the City, Melbourne, Vic

Beyond The Valley are bringing Australia’s premiere New Year’s festival from the Valley to the city for this very special 2021 edition. They’re glass-half-full type people.

Expect two unforgettable days of music and celebration, and ring in the New Year at the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Kings Domain parklands, on December 30 and 31st.

4. Taste of Summer, Hobart, Tas

This year, Tasmania’s summer has a new taste. Taste of Summer (formerly known as the Taste of Tasmania) is Hobart’s week-long festival from 28 December to 3 January. The event will host around 80 stallholders showcasing the state’s finest seafood, cheese, wine and other yummy produce – and of course, there will be fireworks.

Come NYE, the festival will host a very mysterious aviation event in conjunction with Hobart Airport. Dubbed FlightNYE, guests are encouraged to “dress up first class and send 2021 packing.” Read more and secure your tickets here.

5. Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, ACT

For a vantage point away from the parties head to the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. You’ll get to witness the fireworks as they launch over the lake (minus the rowdier crowds). Commonwealth Park and Kings Park are just a couple of other options to keep top of mind.

6. Antarctica Scenic Flight, departing Sydney

For something totally unique, spend New Year’s Eve flying over Antarctica. Drink champagne, listen to a live jazz band and as the clock strikes midnight take in the seemingly endless views of mountains, glaciers, ice plateaus and icy coastline below – in broad daylight.

The flight departs from Sydney at 5:30 pm NYE, returning at 6:30 am the following day. The cost for this experience starts from $1199 and includes dinner, breakfast and bar service. All passengers onboard Antarctica Flights must be fully vaccinated.

7. Darwin Waterfront, NT

Darwin’s waterfront is a lively place any time of year, but on New Year’s Eve it’s awash with next level festivities including a free outdoor concert and fireworks at 9 pm and midnight.

Bring a picnic and relax on the grass with your nearest and dearest.

8. Gwinganna New Year Detox, Gold Coast, Qld

Spent your lockdown binging Nine Perfect Strangers? Become one of them at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat’s New Year Detox (27 December – 3 January), a week-long program that will leave you rested and energised.

From $3485 including organic meals, two massages, facial and fun activities, this will be a New Year’s Eve your body will thank you for.

9. Roof of Australia self-guided walk, Snowy Mountains, NSW

There’s nothing like a bout of fresh alpine air to get you motivated for a new year. AusWalk’s seven-day Roof of Australia self-guided walk is available over New Year’s Eve and is an ideal time to explore the country’s highest alpine ski area by foot. The walk takes you along rivers into undulating valleys and past fields of vibrant wildflowers and breathtaking mountain views.

From $2455, including accommodation, most meals, National Park admission and luggage transfers (so you only need to carry a daypack).

10. New Year’s Eve Princess Renmark Cruise, SA

The chance to spend New Year’s Eve on board Captain Cook Cruises’ Murray Princess Cruise only comes around once every two years. To bring in 2022, depart on an epic four-night cruise adventure that will take cruisers around South Australia’s idyllic Riverland with tourist favourites Mannum and Blanchetown on the itinerary.

Departing on December 30, you’ll enjoy a spectacular New Year’s Eve a-la-carte dinner and festivities, showcasing the region’s highly-praised food and wine scene.

Prices start from $1447, with accommodation, onboard Wi-Fi, guided nature walks and all meals included.

11. Origin Fields Festival, WA

It’s business as usual in COVID-free Perth. On 31 December Perth’s Langley Park will transform into a hip hop, dance and techno festival, complete with popular performers Pendulum and ShockOne for the annual Origin Fields Festival.

12. Launceston BeerFest, Tas

On 31 December Tasmania’s Royal Park will have some of the finest ciders, cocktails, craft beers and wines on offer as it transforms for the annual Launceston BeerFest.

There will also be entertainment and fireworks for late-night revellers looking to celebrate until the clock strikes midnight.

General admission ticket prices start at $26.93 with bundles, VIP and family packages also available for purchase on their website.

13. Opera Australia, Sydney

Kick-off 2022 in operatic style with one of two spectacular performances from Opera Australia.

Choose between the natural wonders of Cockatoo Island, where Opera Australia are presenting a gala of opera’s most beautiful music, or the splendour of the Sydney Opera House, where they will be staging an unforgettable, lavish production of Puccini’s La Bohème.

14. Float into 2022 at Arbory on the Yarra River, Melbourne

For a New Year’s Eve party with a floating twist, head down to Arbory for a night of food, drinks and entertainment on the iconic Yarra River landmark.

Dress up to the nines in your best ‘Euro Glam’ with gold, patterns, colours, sequins, silks, leathers or simply come as you are. Kicking off at 8 pm across both waterfront venues, celebrate with unlimited drinks, tunes mixed by some of the best local DJs and live entertainment until 12:30 am.

15. Catch the first sunrise in Byron Bay

If you’re going to see one spectacular sunrise in your life, it might as well be on New Year’s Day, and you might as well be the first in Australia to do so.

Mount Warning, a 1157-metre-high hill around two hours’ drive northwest of Byron Bay, has the singular honour of being the first spot in Australia to be kissed by the sun’s rays each morning. And it’s a popular vantage point: in 1999/2000, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service allowed only 60 ballot winners to scale the minor peak and settle onto its viewing platform for the big moment. From floor to summit and back the entire 8.8 kilometres is a four-to-five-hour round trip that ranges from a relaxed walk to a fairly steep chain-assisted clamber (for the last 100 metres), so it’s not challenging for the reasonably fit.

Alongside the neat pathway, you’ll meet bush turkeys and sleepy snakes minding their own business amid the lush, tropical growth typical of the area. The summit, once attained, is peaceful, and on a good day offers stunning 360-degree views, including Queensland’s Glass House Mountains to the north and the glittering Pacific Ocean to the east.

*All events and details were available to book at the time of writing.