Vantage points map

Hickson Rd Reserve

Hickson Road Reserve is regarded as one of the premium vantage points to celebrate New Year's Eve. This vantage point places you right at the centre of the festivities. At the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and with the Sydney Opera House and harbour laid out before you, you’ll have all the ingredients to make it a night to remember.

A crowd watches colourful fireworks light up the night sky near Sydney Harbour Bridge, with palm trees and city lights visible.
A large group of people sitting on the grass in front of a bridge.
A large crowd sits on grass at dusk near the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with trees and a palm tree illuminated by colourful lights.
A large crowd sits on grass at dusk near the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with trees and a palm tree illuminated by colourful lights.
Crowd watches colourful fireworks over Sydney Harbour, with the Sydney Opera House and a lit-up ship visible in the background at night.
A crowd watches fireworks over the water near a lit-up bridge at night, with palm trees and colourful projections visible in the scene.
People sitting and relaxing on the grass under large trees near the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with water and city buildings visible in the background.

Admission

  • This is a free vantage point - No tickets required

Times

  • Opens 9am to 1am
  • This location can hold up to 2,800
  • This venue reached capacity at 12:38pm in 2024

Features

Food & beverages

You can buy food here or bring your own

Alcohol

Alcohol isn’t allowed here

Toilets

Toilets are available, including accessible facilities

Drinking water station

Drinking water stations are available

Restrictions

  • No glass
  • No camping
  • No sunshades
  • No pets
  • No busking
  • No drones
  • No re-entry
  • No portable chairs over 80cm tall
  • No BYO alcohol
  • Further restrictions

Accessibility

Accessible and mobility features

  • Recharge point for mobility aids
  • Accessible entrance and continuous path of travel

Address

Map showing Hickson Rd Reserve and nearby vantage points
Hickson Road Reserve, The Rocks

Enter from Hickson Road

This location is managed by Placemaking NSW

View vantage points map

Transport

Getting here

  • Public transport is the best way to get around on New Year’s Eve, with thousands of extra services running.
  • The closest station is Circular Quay but from 3pm trains will not be dropping off passengers. If you’re arriving after 3pm, use Wynyard train station or Martin Place train or metro stations and continue on foot.
  • Light rail services will not run to Circular Quay from 2pm and buses will relocate to Martin Place and Hyde Park. Continue on foot to the harbour via George Street.
  • Major roads in Circular Quay close from 2pm with some earlier morning closures in place. Plan ahead if catching taxis or rideshare. See road closure information. See road closure information.

Leaving the event

  • Pedestrian diversions will be in place on New Year’s Eve. The way you leave may be different to how you arrived. Be prepared for a longer walk to transport hubs.
  • Circular Quay station will be busy. Access to Wynyard train station and buses will via George Street and King Street only.
  • Buses leave from Wynyard, QVB and Hyde Park. Light rail services to the south-east will leave from Central only after 7pm.
  • Limited ferries run after the midnight fireworks, services will be busy so have a backup plan.
  • See the Getting Home from Sydney CBD area map.

Fireworks viewing guide

What you need to know to enjoy the celebration harbourside.

View guide

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