As Australia prepares to bring in 2024, there have been some very controversial reactions to this year’s NYE celebrations.
As Australians around the country bring in the New Year, there have been some controversial reactions to how people are choosing to say goodbye to 2023.
While New Year’s Eve celebrations usually conjure up images of stunning sequin dresses, free-flowing champagne and an impressive fireworks display, some have pointed out the “sad truth” of the highly-anticipated holiday.
Read on for the latest.9pm fireworks wow in Sydney
The first batch of fireworks to mark the start of a new year have exploded over Sydney, with the 9pm show putting on a dazzling display of sparkling light and color.
For UK tourist Ben Scammell, it was a “breathtaking” sight to see.
“It was exactly what we wanted to see,” he told NCA NewsWire after the display.
“Everywhere you looked, there was light everywhere and there were patterns we had not seen before.
“If that’s 9pm, we can’t wait for 12pm.”
Thousands crammed into Sydney’s CBD for the iconic show, with the police warning all viewing spots in the city and North Sydney were full.
Ben and his friend Lewis arrived at the Opera House and 8am and he said the wait had “definitely” been worth it.
“We’re having a really good time,” he said.
“Surrounded by people, sharing their food. Vietnamese people, Taiwanese people, sharing stories.”
The fireworks show went on for about 10 minutes.‘Apocalyptic’ scenes in Sydney Harbour
As a million people flood into Sydney in anticipation for the New Year, shocking scenes emerging on social media reveal what it is truly like in those prime firework positions.
TikTok user Ash said she “regret” her decision to flock into Circular Quay as she had to wait almost two hours to use the portable toilets.
“I am really rethinking my choices at the moment,” she said, after posting a clip of the mass of spectators waiting for the fireworks.
“I’ve been waiting for the toilet for almost two hours, I am regretting it.”
In another clip, she described the crowds as being “apocalyptic” and like something out of the Hunger Games.
According to the City of Sydney’s X, formerly Twitter, page, all vantage points across the city are now full.Are we officially ‘over’ the fireworks?
More than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks are planned for this year’s Sydney firework displays at 9pm and 12pm, with a 60 man crew and over 11km of cable needed for the event.
The City of Sydney’s fireworks director, Fortunato Foti, said spectators could expect a slightly different show this year, with displays featuring bright white, peach, lime, silver, gold, violet, yellow, burnt orange, pink and blue fireworks.
