Australia has kissed a tough 2021 goodbye and welcomed in 2022 with celebrations across the country spearheaded by the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve fireworks display on Sydney harbour.
While crowd numbers were significantly down on pre-pandemic NYE celebrations, tens of thousands were undeterred by rapidly rising Omicron case numbers and glammed up to enjoy the night after a year of restrictions and lockdowns.
Sydney organisers were determined to hold the biggest NYE display seen anywhere since the pandemic began, with six tonnes of fireworks deployed – around 2000 individual fireworks – for the midnight celebration watched by millions worldwide.
Revellers who accepted the advice that they were far safer from Covid-19 outdoors than indoors were rewarded with light queues and prime viewing positions for the spectacular show.
Many of those who took up the best spots had come from interstate – particularly Melbourne – as Sydneysiders made the decision to stay closer to home.
The party also ramped up in Melbourne despite a heatwave after New Year celebrations were scrapped in 2020 due to the pandemic.
After enduring the world’s longest lockdown, Melburnians were well and truly in the mood to party.
This year, there were four dedicated zones at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Alexandra Gardens and Docklands hosting street parties, outdoor dining, entertainment and live music before the midnight fireworks.
Thousands flooded into the Beyond the City music festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl with acts including Jaguar Jonze, Hayden James, Pnau, Lime Cordiale, Ball Park Music and Mallrat taking the stage.
On the Gold Coast, optimistic Aussies farewelled 2021 on the beach and welcomed in 2022 hoping for a much better year.
Also on the Gold Coast, millionaire OnlyFans star Jackson O’Doherty, 27, hosted the self-proclaimed ‘party of the year’ at his mansion which was attended by scantily-clad models, musicians and celebrities.
SYDNEY
Out with the old… Australia has welcomed in 2022 spearheaded by Sydney staging the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve fireworks display, a dazzling, technicolour extravaganza on the famous harbour
Millions around the globe tune in for the world’s first major New Year celebrations – and 2022 felt special with a universal desire to move on from the gloom of the pandemic. Pictured are Sydney’s 2021 fireworks on the harbour, which dazzled the world only moments ago
A glamorous New Year’s Eve partygoer strolls through Sydney’s streets bare foot as she finds her way home after the wild celebrations
The wild night of celebrations went off the tracks for some revellers who had a little bit too much fun at the fireworks
A glamourous reveller ditched her high heel shoes after a long night of partying in Sydney’s Circular Quay
Partygoers who were a little worse for wear made their way home after the fireworks extravaganza on Sydney Harbour
Three police officers arrest a man during New Year’s Eve celebration in Sydney, holding him on the ground in the midst of the large crowd
So long 2021! Australians were only too happy to say goodbye to a tough 2021 and welcome in 2022 with the best kind of virus – a shared party spirit and sense of fun on the last night of the year
The signs of a year weighed down by Covid-19 were obvious with masks and smaller crowds than in the past, but Aussies still got out in numbers to welcome in 2022 across the country. Smiling Sydney revellers are pictured
All white on the night: Sydney revellers dressed to stay cool in the city on New Year’s Eve on a night of partying
A night spent tottering on high heels is enough to convince anyone that Prince Charming is there to help out. New Year’s Eve revellers are pictured at Sydney’s Circular Quay
Sydneysiders were in a mood to welcome in 2022 and who could blame them as 2021 didn’t produce much to celebrate
Sydney is preparing to host the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza, undeterred by fears over the Omicron strain of Covid-19 and rapidly rising case numbers. Revellers are pictured in the CBD
The crowds were smaller at Circular Quay but that just meant a better view of the world-famous festivities for those who werent daunted by the Covid doomsayers
Sydney’s 9pm fireworks display dazzled thousands of revellers who ignored Covid doomsayers and lined the harbour on New Year’s Eve
Sydney’s famous harbour was awash with colour in a stunning preview of the much-anticipated midnight fireworks display
The spectacular early evening fireworks display was far more popular than the city’s exploding Covid case numbers
The spectacle of Sydney’s famous fireworks display captivated the city and the thousands of revellers who ignored Covid doomsayers and headed out for a night of fun
Smaller crowds at Sydney’s fireworks meant prime positions for those who made the effort on a warm night
Sydney was preparing to host the world’s biggest fireworks extravaganza on New Year’s Eve, undeterred by fears over the Omicron Covid-19 variant and rapidly rising case numbers
What’s an Omicron? Sydney revellers get up close and personal as the party starts beside the world-famous harbour
Self-conscious Sydney revellers were keen to capture precious moments with friends on New Year’s Eve
Sydney turned on a stunning day to go with its centrepiece, the gorgeous harbour ahead of its much-anticipated fireworks displays
It was a second subdued New Year’s Even on Sydney Harbour as the pandemic kept usually boisterous revellers away in droves. Friends (L-R) Danni Moore, 29, Tara Delaney, 28, and Sarah Kimberlin, had flown up from Melbourne for the fireworks
The best seat in the house! Queues start to form at the Opera Bar directly opposite the Harbour Bridge
Where once a million spectators would gather around the water’s edge to see the city’s world-famous fireworks display, this year’s celebrations were low-key. Husband and wife Diana Mosquera, 32, and Omar Campos, 33, enjoyed getting out of their Sydney home
MELBOURNE
Melbourne celebrated the New Year with fun, friendship and hugs after a day of soaring temperatures
The mood was celebratory at St Kilda in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve as friends laughed and joked beside the beach
Thousands of Melburnians watched a spectacular fireworks display on the Yarra River a after a scorching day that reached 38 degrees
Melbourne revellers looked delighted to say goodbye to 2021, in which they endured the world’s longest lockdown, an epically awful 262 days
Yes, 2021 really is over… friends share a deep moment on a night of serious partying at St Kilda in Melbourne as they prepared to welcome in 2022
New Year’s Eve is a memorable time for everyone, especially couples, with the traditional midnight kiss still a thing across the country
Over Covid: Melburnians glammed up to get out and and see in 2022, enjoying the biggest night of the year with friends
Friends walk through St Kilda after celebrating New Year’s Eve in Melbourne after a hot day
Who cares if it’s been the year from hell? Melburnians, who endured the world’s longest Covid lockdown were ready to party
Melburnians cooked in 38 degree heat on New Year’s Eve so it was little surprise many stayed close to the beach and the water as they prepared for the midnight countdown
Melbourne’s early fireworks at 9.30pm delighted young and old. A young girl is pictured celebrating with her mother
Melburnians were keen to stay hydrated after scorching temperatures on New Year’s Eve
Melbourne split its New Year’s Eve celebrations into four zones. Revellers are pictured getting into the celebratory spirit at St Kilda
Ready, set, go! Melburnians glammed up and got out in force to celebrate New Year’s Eve although it was the hottest day for months
Cricket legend Shane Warne (right) enjoys a drinks break on a hot day with fellow former Australian players Michael Hussey (left) and Andrew Symonds (in blue hat) on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne
The party spirit got to a few early on in the night after a searing hot day on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne
A blistering hot day in Melbourne meant only the most committed partygoers lasted into the evening
Melbournians were in the mood to party all day despite the heat
Revellers arrive en masse for the Beyond The City music festival at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on December 31, 2021 in Melbourne
Pop singer Jaguar Jonze (pictured) performs to the crowd at the Beyond The City music festival at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on December 31, 2021 in Melbourne
A glammed up crew of girls gets set for a wild night of celebrations in Melbourne as the city prepares to welcome the new year
Melbourne crowds lined up for a night of celebrations at the Beyond The City music festival, despite soaring Covid infections across Victoria and the rest of Australia
GOLD COAST
Gold Coast revellers raise their hands in the air as the clock strikes midnight on the Gold Coast and fireworks erupt in the sky
A partygoers welcomes the new year by climbing the famous Surfers Paradise sign on the Gold Coast
Sparkle, Sparkle! Young partygoers wave sparklers as they welcome 2022 following a tough year marred by Covid
All smiles at Surfers Paradise… Optimistic Aussies celebrate the arrival of 2022 on the Gold Coast after a year to forget
Young Australians were in the moody to party as a year to forget gave way to 2022 and the celebrations began
Revellers came dressed for an unforgettable night of New Year’s Eve partying at Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast saw in the New Year with the Jackson Doherty’s 18+ white-themed ‘party of the year’
The white-themed 18+ event was attended by a bevvy of models, musicians and celebrities
The Gold Coast’s ‘party of the year’ was hosted by YouTube star Jackson Doherty
On the Gold Coast, YouTube star and millionaire Jackson O’Doherty (pictured, centre) hosted the self-proclaimed ‘party of the year’ for New Year’s Eve
DJ, magician and actor Apollo Jackson added fire-breathing performer to his extensive resume at Jackson Doherty’s New Year’s Eve party on the Gold Coast
Jackson Doherty’s New Year’s Eve party on the Gold Coast had everything
A giant rabbit and a model wearing not very much were among the guests at Jackson Doherty’s wild house party