After a challenging year, Australians will be one of the first in the world to welcome 2022 once the clock hits midnight.
Revellers can look forward to the spectacular Sydney fireworks display, with celebrations going ahead regardless of the Omicron strain.
More than 25,000 fireworks will be set off on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, while 5 float barges and the Sydney Opera House will release 9,000 and 6,000 more effects, respectively.
The event will be streamed online for viewers around the country and the world.
This year, the family event will include a Welcome to Country display, designed to exhibit the spirit of a uniquely Australian gathering with the appearance of boomerangs, eels, and whales.
People are expected to flock to the best vantage points to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge midnight fireworks, with many areas requiring attendees to book tickets this year, including Observatory Hill and Bicentennial Park.
So far, 17,000 tickets have been booked, but the City of Sydney cannot predict how many more people will attend.
Prior to COVID-19, more than one million people would visit the city to celebrate the new year.
The City of Sydney strongly encourages everyone attending to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
It also strongly recommends masks in outdoor areas where physical distancing is not possible.
People are encouraged to plan their trip to the city ahead of time as public transport schedules may change.
Sydney Trains have scheduled almost 1,000 extra trains to run from the afternoon to early New Year’s Day to help travellers get to and from celebrations.
All ferry services will begin slowing during the afternoon and stop at 8:00 p.m. ahead of the fireworks. There will be limited services after midnight.
Meanwhile, people in Melbourne and Adelaide will bid farewell to 2021 in almost 40 degree Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) heat.
In Melbourne, ticketed event zones will only be open for fully vaccinated patrons.
Brisbane will enjoy fireworks at the South Bank precinct with no ticketing or crowd limits to worry about.
In Perth, nightclubs and festivals were cancelled immediately after a COVID-19 case was detected last week. But fireworks in the city will go ahead, along with a 9:00 p.m. family display.
