Vantage points map

Hickson Road Reserve

  • Free
  • Alcohol prohibited
  • Toilets
  • Accessible
  • The Rocks

Hickson Road Reserve is regarded as one of the premium vantage points to celebrate New Year's Eve. This vantage point places you right at the centre of the festivities. At the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and with the Sydney Opera House and harbour laid out before you, you’ll have all the ingredients to make it a night to remember.

  • A crowd watches colourful fireworks light up the night sky near Sydney Harbour Bridge, with palm trees and city lights visible.
  • A large group of people sitting on the grass in front of a bridge.
  • Crowd watches colourful fireworks over Sydney Harbour, with the Sydney Opera House and a lit-up ship visible in the background at night.
  • A crowd watches fireworks over the water near a lit-up bridge at night, with palm trees and colourful projections visible in the scene.

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Admission, hours and capacity

Admission

No ticket required.

You do not need to book or register to enter.

Hours

9am – 1am

Capacity

Holds up to 2,800 people

This venue reached capacity at 3:30pm in 2025

About the Site

  • Food and beverages

    You can buy food here or bring your own

  • Alcohol

    Alcohol isn’t allowed here

  • Toilets

    Toilets are available, including accessible facilities

  • Drinking water

    Drinking water stations are available

Restrictions

  • No glass
  • No camping
  • No sunshades
  • No pets
  • No busking
  • No drones
  • No re-entry
  • No portable chairs over 80cm tall
  • No BYO alcohol
Read the full conditions of entry

Accessibility

  • Accessible entrance and continuous path of travel
  • Recharge point for mobility aids

Location & Access

Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks

Open in Google Maps

Enter from Hickson Road

Managed by

Placemaking NSW

02 9240 8500 Website

Transport options

Getting here

  • Public transport is the best way to get around on New Year’s Eve with thousands of extra services running.
  • Major roads in Circular Quay close from 12pm with some earlier morning closures in place. Plan ahead if catching taxis or rideshare. See road closure information.

  • Train

    The closest station is Circular Quay however from 3pm trains will not be dropping off passengers. If you are arriving after 3pm, use Wynyard Train station or Martin Place Train and Metro stations and continue on foot.

  • Light rail

    Light rail services will not run to Circular Quay from 2pm. Continue on foot to the harbour from George Street.

  • Bus

    Buses will relocate to Martin Place from 12pm and Hyde Park from 5pm.

Getting home

  • See the Getting home from Sydney CBD area map.
  • Pedestrian diversions are in place on New Year’s Eve. The way you arrive, may be different to how you get home. Be prepared for a longer walk to transport hubs.

  • Train

    Circular Quay station will be busy. Access to Wynyard train station and buses is from George Street and King Street only.

  • Light rail

    Light rail services to the south east will leave from Central only after 7pm.

  • Bus

    Buses leave from Wynyard, QVB and Hyde Park. 

  • Ferry

    Limited ferries run after the midnight fireworks, services will be busy so have a back up plan.

Plan your night

Fireworks viewing guide

What you need to know to enjoy the celebration harbourside.

View guide

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