Free spots, ticketed sites and what’s changed this year: a local’s guide to New Year’s Eve on the Lower North Shore.
The north side of the harbour has some of the best views of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks: the Harbour Bridge up close, the Opera House beside it, and the city skyline behind. This year, a few favourite spots have changed, so here’s what you need to know for New Year’s Eve 2026. There are two displays: the family-friendly 9pm show and the midnight fireworks.
Details are current at the time of writing. Always check the official Sydney New Year’s Eve website and North Sydney Council before you go, as times and access can change.
1. Upper Bradfield Park and Mary Booth Reserve, Milsons Point
Free, no ticket needed. Right beside the Harbour Bridge, with the bridge and Opera House lined up perfectly. The area opens at 9am on 31 December and is closed to the public from 8pm the night before. Mary Booth Reserve is the most sought-after part and holds about 2,500 people. It was full by mid-afternoon in 2024, so arrive early. It’s an alcohol-free zone.
2. Lower Bradfield Park
Ticketed, $65. The closest views on the north side, now a paid area opening at 2pm. Tickets are sold through North Sydney Council and are limited, so book early.
3. Blues Point Reserve and Henry Lawson Reserve, McMahons Point
Ticketed, $65, now sold out. Once the North Shore’s best-known free spot, Blues Point (including Henry Lawson Reserve) is now a paid site, opening at 3pm, with views back across to the western face of the bridge and the city.
4. Lavender Bay Parklands
Free. Watt, Clark and Quibaree Parks around Lavender Bay open at 9am and hold about 3,000 people, with the bridge framed across the water. The parks close the evening before, there’s no re-entry once full, and accessible toilets are at Clark Park.
5. Cremorne Point
Free, from 1pm. Facing the eastern side of the bridge, with plenty of space (capacity around 8,500) and a calmer atmosphere.
6. Luna Park
Ticketed. For a party atmosphere, Luna Park’s New Year’s Eve Harbour Party combines fireworks views with rides and entertainment. There has also been a separate, quieter 18+ viewing area on Lavender Green. Check Luna Park’s website for this year’s packages and prices.
7. Dine with a view
For a more relaxed night, several harbourside restaurants offer New Year’s Eve packages with fireworks views. On Lavender Bay itself, Sails offers a single 7pm sitting with a six-course menu and beverage package, at $1,495 per person. Packages like these book out early, and they’re the easiest way to see the fireworks in comfort, without an early start or a crowd.
Getting there and home
• Use public transport. Roads close, parking disappears, and thousands of extra services run.
• Milsons Point, North Sydney and the new Victoria Cross Metro station are the closest stations.
• Expect a slower trip home: exits may differ from how you arrived, and stations are busy after midnight.
What to bring
• A picnic rug, water, snacks and sunscreen for a long day outdoors.
• A charged phone or power bank.
• Something to keep children busy until 9pm.
• Bag checks apply at every site; alcohol, glass and knives aren’t allowed.
Or celebrate in your own harbourside home
For a group, there’s another way to see the night. The Lavender Bay Residence looks across the same bay to the Harbour Bridge, with the fireworks framed from its own balcony. Stay across New Year, with no queues, no early start and no rush home after midnight. Bring in your own chef or caterer, or keep it relaxed.
New Year’s Eve at the Residence is popular, and dates are limited, so stays are by enquiry and selection:
• Residence accommodation guests: up to 5, staying overnight.
• New Year’s Eve invitees: up to 5 additional guests for the evening, all pre-registered.
• By enquiry: every enquiry is reviewed personally. Confirmed stays require a signed rental agreement and acceptance of the house conditions before booking.
Enquire about New Year’s Eve at Lavender Bay → covecuration.com.au