NYE Aussie style: Have you heard of these New Year celebrations Down Under?

With another year coming to an end, New Year celebrations are highly anticipated this time around, since international travel has opened up. As fireworks will illuminate the night sky world over, it’s the traditions across countries that make the celebrations so unique. Australia in particular is known to have more than a range of different festivities to reign in the New Year. For a country with a comparatively small population of 25 million people, Australia punches above its weight with some of the biggest celebrations in the world. Here are some of them:

The Beyond the Valley festival at Barunah Plains in Southwest Victoria is a 100,000 sq m natural amphitheater that hosts a plethora of activities from musical concerts to broadcasting podcasts to workshops and more! This four-day festival (December 28^th till January 1^st) is the intersection of world-class production, state-of-the-art sound design, and community gathering as well. For those looking to rock out to the rhythm, this year’s line-up includes Diplo, Denzel Curry, Nelly Furtado, Bicep and Benee among others who will play out at the event’s Main stage arena, Dance Tent, and Dr. Dan’s. If you are looking for a calmer vibe, ease into some relaxing workshops at The Sanctuary or tune into your favorite podcasts at the Podcast stage. The festival also has luxury camping for tourists who wish to go glamping. You can even indulge in indigenous culture through the Wadawurrung Traditional Smoking ceremony or even buy local handicrafts from The Markets. The festival’s Food Village has some of the widest range of cuisines inclusive of dietary preferences to make your day. It goes without saying, this festival has something for everyone.

Moving into the New Year on calmer waters is quite the metaphor, and NYE H2OH is how you can do so. Known to be the most happening NYE event in Melbourne, this year’s artist line-up includes top Australian acts such as Andy Murphy, DJ Femme, George D Jay, Nick Van Wilder and Brennan. You can enjoy the show directly on the waterfront or go to the rooftop for a panoramic view over Port Philip Bay on the 31^st night. The calming beach vibes, and views of the Melbourne City skyline, coupled with the immersive music and light cocktail food are truly food for the soul.

Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve celebrations are a line-up of engaging cultural activities that lead up to the iconic fireworks display show which lights up the entire harbor. On the 31^st of December every year, the celebrations are kickstarted with a sacred Smoking Ceremony performed by a Tribal Warrior. This ritual is to set intentions for purity and cleansing in the New Year. This is followed by pylon projections and lighting effects shining across the eastern side of the harbor. Continuing to pay tribute to the First Nation’s people, there is a short speech by the Gadigal Elders from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, welcoming visitors to Gadigal land. This is supplemented by the Calling Country fireworks as an homage to Indigenous storytellers through art, song, sound, and dance happening on stage. A few hours before the harbor fireworks go off, boats anchored along the coast light up with fairy lights. At midnight, pyrotechnics are launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and barges in the harbour to call in the New Year.

For those of you looking for lesser-explored ways to bring in the New Year, how about a picnic on the Gold Coast? Surfers Paradise is known to host two unique firework shows on NYE. The first batch of fireworks is lit up at around 8.00 pm, followed by the breathtaking spectacle of the second one at midnight. Apart from a DJ who will be playing music on the main stage, people are generally free to indulge in little celebrations around Surfer’s Paradise beach.

Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane has become a new age tourist attraction, especially around New Year’s. A modern and contemporary vista for fine dining and luxury stays, New Year’s at HSW comes with an array of special dining options for munching the night away to witness the fireworks display at the Story Bridge. With limited availability, people generally book weeks in advance with their squad basis offers available. Some of the top picks include a four-course banquet at Stanley Restaurant; indulging in authentic Italian feasts at Ciao Papi; exclusive riverside parties where you can dance under the disco ball at Mr Percival’s; and brewery toasts on the riverside deck with Felons Brewing Co.

The Lord Mayor’s NYE Fireworks brings together the people of Brisbane to the river at South Bank for the city’s official New Year’s Eve celebration. Join the family-friendly fun at South Bank Parklands with free firework displays, scenic views, and an abundance of local cuisines sold by homegrown vendors. The fireworks at 8:30 pm are specially curated for those who wish to wrap up the night early; followed by another round at midnight for the night owls. Both shows feature a 10-minute exhibition of multi-colored crackers. The best vantage points for viewing the fireworks include the Clem Jones Promenade, Riverside Green, and River Quay Green. While most locals pack their own picnics for the foreshore, you also have the option to head on over to the Cultural Forecourt which has a range of takeaways such as Flavours of Eataly, Fritzs Wieners, Eat Me, Dinky D’s Donuts & Twisted Ice Cream.