New Year’s Eve is a legendary night and the Sydney fireworks are really second to none, this is what you came all the way to Australia for right?! Its a crazy night on the harbour that will test your patience if you let it, but if you’re ready to go with the flow it’s well worth the effort.

If you are going to do it, and especially if you are only going to do it once, you might as well be in the thick of things and find yourself the best views of the city as the fireworks light up the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge in a spectacular night time show. Knowing where to go and what to expect can help you plan ahead, ensuring you’re prepared for a night to remember.

Best anchorages to watch Sydney’s NYE fireworks

Choosing which Sydney anchorage is best for you to bring in the new year depends on the view you’d like and the chaos you’re willing to get involved in. Based on our experiences over the years, these are my top picks for people wanting to watch this spectacular show from the water.

The best NYE anchorage in Sydney: Farm Cove

There’s no doubt about it, Farm Cove between the Sydney Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is the prime New Years Eve location. You get a full view of the bridge and Opera House, and can see along the harbour as well with unobstructed views of the firework show. From the comfort of your boat you will hear and feel the full force of the fireworks’ blasts!

If you have guests joining you for the evening you can conveniently pick them up from the nearby dinghy dock at Woollomooloo, but there are some downsides to being in Farm Cove too. It’s packed, it’s rolly, it’s mad and you need to get there by mid-afternoon on the 30th if you want a good spot, particularly if you want to stay the night. Just keep in mind that vessels over 15m (49.2 ft) are not permitted to anchor there.

The next best choice: Athol Bay

Further away is Athol Bay, which gives sweeping views of the harbour. You can anchor east or west of the Taronga Zoo ferry channel, and to the north of Fort Denison. If you get there early it will feel like you’re anchored in the middle of the harbour! It’s best to get as close to the edge of exclusion zone as you can, allowing for your swing circle – no part of your boat can go over the line! Before setting your anchor check you have a clear view of the bridge.

Ferries continue to run to Taronga Zoo wharf and that’s a great place to pick up guests in the dinghy, particularly if they are coming from the North Shore. The downside to this spot is it’s rolly and you need to make sure you are well into the middle of the harbour to see the whole of the bridge. 

A bit less “mad” choice: Rose Bay

If you don’t fancy being in the thick of it, you can get a reasonable vantage point in Rose Bay, looking all the way down the harbour. Make your way out to the edge of the exclusion zone so that you don’t have your view blocked by the gin palaces that occupy the big-boat commercial zone off Woollahra Point. Rose Bay Wharf or Woollahra Dinghy Dock are good spots to pick up guests. Downsides: It is some distance from the centre of the action.

Top tips for the best New Year’s Eve you will ever have

Now that you know some of the best anchorages, here are my top tips for getting the most out of Sydney’s New Years Eve celebrations!

1. Know the latest information

Check the NSW Government website for information on events in Sydney Harbour, including an up to date map of the New Years Eve exclusion zones, barge positions, restrictions on movement, free anchoring and commercial zones. This will help you pick your preferred location. Exclusion buoys will usually be placed by the afternoon of the 30th.  Music for the fireworks display is broadcast live so you can tee this up on your stereo on the boat, but to be honest you will probably forget and in any case it can be drowned out completely by the blasts, and the oooohs and aaahs of the audience!

2.Prepare in advance

Having chosen your spot, plan what time you want to be there, and make sure you have enough supplies for you and your guests to last the distance. Getting that last minute bottle of bubbly at 10:30pm on 31st of December is going to be challenging, no matter where you’re anchored.

3. Remain aware

Put fenders out (particularly if you are in Farm Cove), keep a polite watch and try to stay relaxed as the space around you fills up with all manner of vessels, with smaller and smaller boats arriving as the night wears on. Be prepared to offer a hand to a less experienced skipper who might only set an anchor once a year, or raft up a kayak that is getting tossed around in the chop. Oh, and don’t forget to lift your dinghy!

4. Board guests early

Got guests coming to share the fun? Aim to have them onboard by 5pm on the 31st at very latest. This is because road and foreshore closures start taking effect from then making it difficult to get around the city. Physically check that your pick-up point is appropriate and accessible, from water and land (in all tides!). And of course make sure you have enough life jackets for everyone on board, including dinghy trips. 

5. Pace yourself

You don’t want to peak too early! The 9pm “kids” fireworks are great but it’s definitely worth staying up for midnight where the real show takes place! A nap in between is totally permissible and may even save you a hangover… Make sure to set an alarm!

6. Enjoy the moment

You will no doubt take some photos and videos, but once you have snapped that all important selfie, I really recommend putting the camera down and just enjoying the moment. The show usually takes about 12 minutes in total and seeing it with your eyes rather than through a lens or screen is definitely the way to go.

7. Have an exit plan

The exclusion zone is in place until around 00h45 so you can’t cross the harbour until then. It gets a bit mad with boats rushing off as soon as the smoke clears and powerboat wash will turn the water white, so be prepared to wait it out until things settle down, or even better, just stay the night where you are. A new year has just commenced and its a good time to sit, chill and reflect while you watch everyone trying to up-anchor all at once, after a long night and quite a few sherbets…

Summing it up

It’s impossible to fully appreciate the show from just one position so take a look at the official video from 2023, which includes some amazing aerial footage. Get a preview of what you have in store, and start to get excited!

Where was the best New Years Eve you’ve had on your boat? Share in the comments and let the community know!