Thousands of people have joined massive queues around Sydney Harbour ahead of the world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks – with some setting up camp at 4am.
The gates to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the city’s most sought-after vantage point, opened at 9.30am, sparking a frantic stampede.
By dawn, more than 2,000 people were queuing, some having camped overnight to secure front-row seats for the midnight show.
Once the gates opened, the foreshore became a kilometre-long racetrack with people dragging picnic rugs and eskies in the scramble for territory.
International visitors were also swept up in the excitement.
‘I live in Germany, I’ve never experienced anything like this,’ one tourist told the ABC.
Sydney Harbour is set to host over a million spectators tonight, with tens of thousands already packed into viewing areas long before sunset.
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair remains Sydney’s ‘crown jewel’ for New Year’s Eve, offering iconic views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
People have been queuing since 4am to get a front row seat for Sydney’s firework display
Revellers were seen running with chairs and blankets once gates opened at 9:30am
People were seen queuing up outside Mrs Macquarie’s Chair since Thursday
Extra security measures are in place across the Sydney CBD following the Bondi Beach attack
‘We’re expecting big crowds in the city tonight – more than a million people coming to join in the celebrations,’ NSW Transport Minister John Graham said.
To manage the influx, Graham announced a huge transport operation.
‘More than 1,000 extra services are going to be in place, that’s a 40 per cent uplift on a normal day,’ he said.
He confirmed public transport will run continuously for 46 hours, with Metro trains expected to clear crowds ‘in about half the time it would usually take’.
Premier Chris Minns urged families to enjoy the festivities despite the lingering impact of the Bondi Beach terror attack, which left 15 people dead on December 14.
‘We can’t be in a situation where this horrible criminal terrorist event changes the way we live in our beautiful city. We have to show defiance,’ he said.
He also reassured Sydneysiders about security.
‘Police are on high alert. Transport is ramping up. There is a massive logistical exercise, with tens of thousands of public servants keeping you safe,’ he said.
More than 2000 people were queuing to go into Mrs Macquarie’s Chair before 9am
The Sydney Harbour front vantage points have been taken up and filled by NYE revellers
Crowds have filled the best spots to view the New Years fireworks in Royal Botanic Gardens
Huge queues were seen at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney
The aftermath of the Bondi massacre has led to unprecedented police measures across Sydney.
‘There’ll be a number of heavily armed officers deployed across metropolitan Sydney… They’ll be operational and highly visible,’ Minns confirmed.
He explained that new protocols mean armed officers will mingle with the crowd.
‘If you see a heavily armed officer, it doesn’t mean there’s an active operation. It means they’re there in preparation for any eventuality. We want the community to see police and know they can enjoy the night without fear.’
The citywide operation will include riot squads, PolAir helicopters, dog units and marine police.
Details around tactical changes remain secret.
‘We’re not going to be cowered by terrorism,’ Minns said.
‘The best way to demonstrate defiance is to live your life and get some joy out of New Year’s Eve, safe in the knowledge that thousands of officers are protecting you.’