Australia is very fortunate in that it is one of the very first countries to herald in the New Year.
The Time Zones around the world are established from the imaginary line on the earth that runs north and south, through the poles and roughly follows the 180 degree longitude. Any countries to the immediate east of this line are 23 hours behind any countries to the immediate west of the International Date Line.
The New Year celebration advances around the globe as each time zone hits 12 midnight. The central pacific islands of Kiribati and Caroline Island are the first to usher in the New Year and Hawaii and Tahiti are some of the last pacific islands to celebrate New Year’s.
Australia celebrates New Year in style, with each capital city observing the special time with fireworks, festivals and lots of noise and food and fun.
Here’s a rundown of what’s happening in Australia over New Years 2012-13.
Melbourne:
Some say that Melbourne is the events capital of Australia (don’t ask a Sydney sider though!). New Years Eve in Melbourne always includes a fantastic fireworks show over the city, Docklands and along the Yarra River at South Bank. Vantage points along these spots are usually grabbed early on New Year’s Eve morning, so you need to be quick!
Sydney:
Some say that Sydney is the events capital of Australia (don’t ask a Melbournite though!). Just about everywhere around the world people are familiar with the iconic New Years Photo of the Sydney Harbor Bridge exploding with thousands of fireworks to herald in the New Year. The Sydney Harbor New Years Eve celebration is considered one of the “Seven New Years Even Wonders of the World”. Vantage points around the Harbor are many, but there’s many people living in Sydney, who all want to have a great viewing point. Again, time is of the essence and some attendee’s stake out claims around the Harbor one or even two days before the big celebration.
The New Year’s Event for 2012-13 has Kylie Minogue as the ambassador for the New Year’s celebrations so that will bring more people out on the night.
Brisbane:
No one says that Brisbane is the events capital of Australia, but they think they are. They have the wonderful Brisbane River with its several reaches of the river where fireworks are exploded in a fantastic array. Because of the tropical weather experienced in Brisbane, you can depend on it being warm. What you can’t depend on is whether it will be dry or torrential rain. Again, stake your claim early for a good viewing spot.
The Brisbane City council runs free transport in and out of the city for the whole of New Years Eve. Oh, and if you’re into celebrating twice, head for the border towns of Tweed Heads (NSW) and Coolangatta (QLD). Because Qld doesn’t participate in the Daylight Saving program that NSW does, midnight in NSW occurs one hour before midnight occurs in Qld. Just a hop step and skip over the border will see you celebrating twice!
Perth:
Perth will be abuzz with lots of celebration parties and functions that will go very well together with the planned fireworks display over the Swan River.
Hobart:
By New Years Eve in Hobart, the city is still celebrating the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which is held every year from Boxing Day, where the boats leave Sydney at lunchtime and several hundred yachts vie for placings on arriving in Hobart. Some boats take longer than others, and are still arriving in time for the New Years Eve celebrations at the Dockside in Hobart.
Darwin:
Darwin will be celebrating with a music concert and fireworks situated on the waterfront. There’ll be lots of international food stalls and market stalls to help bring in the New Year.
Adelaide:
Along the Torrens River in downtown Adelaide lots of fireworks and concert celebrations will welcome in the New Year.
Where ever you spend your New Years Eve celebrations I hope you have a great night.
