Australia has farewelled 2022, a year many would rather forget for one with promise and hope as the Covid pandemic shadow is put in the country’s rear vision mirror.
Millions of Aussies flocked to harbors, foreshores, riverbanks, and beaches to savor the multi-million-dollar fireworks displays.
Sydney’s world-famous harbor and bridge were lit up in a spectacular display, while the skies over Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide featured spellbinding firework shows.
Revelers were out in force to make up for time lost in the last three years, as celebrations were dampened by the black summer bushfires in 2020 and the Covid pandemic the following two years.
Party-goers made their way into the nation’s CBDs in droves to ring in 2023 in style – with local and state government organizers putting on celebrations bigger and better than ever before.
Crowds in the nation’s focal point Sydney, hit around the million mark as thousands queued up well in advance earlier in the day to vie for a spot on the steps of the iconic Opera House.
The Harbour City saw an Indigenous smoking ceremony at 7.30 pm kick things off before the family-friendly fireworks display dazzled the nation.
In New South Wales’ capital, 13,000 fireworks totaling $ 7 million lit up the sky from the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and rooftops around the city.
In a nod to the upcoming World Pride festival taking place in Sydney in February, the progress pride flag colors were projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 11 pm.
While in Melbourne’s CBD, crowds built up quickly with families and groups of friends flocking to parks for early fireworks, before an estimated 450,000 people continued on to see in the new year.
In what felt like Melbourne’s out of Covid party, revelers took advantage of life without masks with fireworks set off from a record 30 rooftops in celebrations worth around $4 million.
Perth put on a show from start to finish with its first-ever family-friendly show kicking off at 9 pm before their traditional Swan River spectacular at midnight.
Brisbane, Adelaide, and Hobart celebrated with two fireworks displays, however, severe weather forced Darwin’s shows to be canceled.
On the Gold Coast, around 30 tonnes of fireworks brought vivid colors and patterns to the skylines at Coomera, Broadwater Parklands, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, and Coolangatta.
Festivities in Western Australia’s central Kimberley region and Menindee in far west NSW had they’re dampened as they were faced with rising floodwaters.