Where can I watch the Sydney NYE fireworks with the kids?

Being at Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve is always a memorable way to ring in the New Year, but when you become a parent you may suddenly realise that going to the fireworks isn’t quite as easy as it used to be.

It’s not like you can just turn up and hang out like you used to! Negotiating the jostling crowds along the Harbour-front pavements or staking out a spot for twelve hours for a free vantage point is unlikely to be an option now you have kids along with you. Enter: Bridgeview!

Bridgeview New Year’s Eve event at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

When we discovered the Bridgeview New Year’s Eve event at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney we found it to be a fantastic way for families to enjoy the Sydney fireworks.

At Bridgeview you can spread out your picnic blanket and listen to live music as you watch the kids run around and play.

Throughout the night you’ll be entertained by live bands and a DJ playing a wide genres ranging from the rock and roll classics to the latest hits.

The dance floor is the perfect place to get moving and have even more fun together, especially between the family and midnight fireworks!

You don’t even have to worry about bringing along food for everyone, because a personal picnic hamper is included in each ticket price.

Because Bridgeview is a family friendly ticketed event, there’s plenty of room to move with no big crowds – and so no worries!

Best of all, you have centre-stage views right across Sydney Harbour to the Harbour Bridge for the main event – the world-famous Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks!

What’s in your included picnic hamper

Every ticket to Bridgeview includes a picnic hamper full of delicious food.

You pass through the hamper and water pick up stand after the ticket scan and bag security check near the main entrance.

Inside your supplied picnic hamper you’ll find several courses including an entrée, main and dessert, plus snacks and a bottle of water (there are water refill stations on site). There’s even a late-night supper included.

You also get a voucher for a pie and an ice cream to pick up from the special stands during the evening.

You won’t go hungry at Bridgeview!

Vegetarian, vegan and lactose intolerance options available

Vegetarian and other menu options such as vegan, lactose free and halal picnic hamper choices are all catered for. Just be sure to nominate your special menu upon booking.

Popcorn, Sweets, Snacks and Coffee

If you’re still seeking out snacks for the kids or yourself, you can purchase sweets and popcorn from a special stand, plus you can buy nachos, chocolate and coffee from a barista station.

An alcoholic and non-alcoholic bar

There is also a bar at Bridgeview serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks throughout the night.

A Free Drinking Water Station

There’s water on tap too, for free at the water fill station, where you can refill your supplied water bottle.

The best Sydney fireworks spot for families

At Bridgeview, all you need to do is sit back and relax during the lead-up to the best New Year’s Eve fireworks shows in the world.

You’re able to enjoy the evening with your family, safe in the knowledge that you’re positioned above the Sydney New Year’s Eve crowds below. Perfect!

All of this makes the Bridgeview experience a great New Year’s Eve choice for families.

Watch the official Youtube video to see what Bridgeview is like

Watch our Instagram Reel of our night at Bridgeview here

Sydney NYE Event 2023 – Bridgeview at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney planning information

Event date & time: New Year’s Eve 2023 – Saturday, December 31st, 2023, to 6:00pm – Sun, Jan 1st, 2024, 1:00am

Suitable for: all ages

How much: 2023 ticket prices to be confirmed  (tickets were AUD $396.47 each in 2022)

Tickets will be available from here

Each Bridgeview ticket purchase helps to support the Royal Botanic Gardens’ valuable science, conservation and horticulture work.

How to get to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Bridgeview event location: Tarpeian Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Where to enter: The entrance to Bridgeview is off Macquarie Street, which is closed to traffic on New Year’s Eve.

What to bring (and not to!): One of the best things about the supplied picnic hampers and water bottle it’s that you don’t have to carry food.

Do bring a picnic blanket to sit on but camp chairs and inflatable furniture are not allowed (pillows and low beach chairs are okay).

Don’t forget hats, sunscreen and wet weather ponchos to cover all eventualities. You can bring small fold up umbrellas, but not long ones. You can bring bug spray along too, but we didn’t need to use it.

You are permitted to bring and wear glow sticks and fun NYE headbands – but not party poppers or any kinds of crackers/fireworks of your own.

Also take note of this Bridgeview 2022 prohibited items sign on what NOT to bring with you…

Where to park: It’s a 15-minute walk to the Bridgeview entrance from the Domain Car Park. Closer car parks like the Opera House car park are not accessible on New Year’s Eve due to temporary road closures.

Closest train station to the Royal Botanic Garden: Martin Place Station is closest (950m) followed by St James Station (Circular Quay railway station is closed on New Year’s Eve from 5pm until Midnight)

More info on Sydney NYE at the RBG can be found on the official website here

Have you ever been to the Sydney fireworks with kids, or plan to go? Comment about your experience, or ask your questions below…

All information is correct as of January 2023 – please check the official websites as linked above for relevant, up to date information and prices.

The Let’s Go Mum family partnered with The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to produce this article. As always, all opinions remain firmly our own.

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The Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks are world-famous for a reason – they’re simply breathtaking to watch. But if you have children, it can seem like a logistical nightmare to get the kids to Sydney City to watch them without either, a) – paying a king’s ransom for a hotel room with a view, or, b) – braving the human-crush of the Sydney Harbour foreshore.

Last year I heard about the Cahill Expressway, and put my name down for a reminder email for this year’s ballot. I entered the ballot, and won a set of family tickets. So this year we spent our New Year’s Eve on the Cahill Expressway and had a really great time. I thought I would share the process with you so that you can enjoy New Year’s Eve from the Cahill Expressway with your family too!

See what it’s like! Watch the video of our NYE Cahill Expressway experience here

What’s the big deal about the Cahill Expressway on New Year’s Eve?

The Cahill Expressway, as the name suggests is a Sydney city road which is closed to traffic and open to pedestrians on New Year’s Eve. It offers a raised view of the Sydney Harbour over Circular Quay, with sweeping views from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Opera House – but you can’t just turn up to watch the fireworks from it on the night. Entry is restricted to ticket holders only, which you obtain through a public draw.

What is available on the night?

Emergency lanes are used to enter and leave, and during the event are kept open and clear. There is wheelchair/disabled access and guest assistance is also available. There is no alcohol or smoking allowed. There is a first-aid station on site. There are toilets located on-site.

Why is the Cahill Expressway such a great spot for families to watch the fireworks?

The Cahill Expressway is located safely above the heavy New Year’s Eve crowds. The complete area is enclosed and patrolled by security, and is a no-alcohol zone.  You are allotted a time to enter, and must queue to pass through a security check. This process takes around twenty minutes, including the walk up onto the Expressway itself from the city streets below.

When you win tickets, you are able to pre-order chair hire and food platters. Alternatively you can take food in with you (some restrictions apply) or buy hot food and soft drinks from the vendors on site. There are a number of dining table and chairs freely available for use on-site.

An excellent view of the fireworks is possible from all areas of the Cahill Expressway.

An excellent view of the fireworks is possible from all areas of the Cahill Expressway.

All of these factors make the Cahill Expressway a great choice for families to watch the fireworks.

How do I get New Year’s Eve family tickets to the Cahill Expressway?

There are two sessions available –  one for the 9pm family fireworks, and one for the midnight fireworks. Each session has room for up to 3,000 people, and although this sounds like a lot it’s not oppressively crowded, and there is room to move around.

To get a set of tickets (you are offered up to five tickets in total if you win) to watch the NYE fireworks from the Cahill Expressway, you need to enter the public ballot. The public ballot is open in early October, with ticket winners being notified in late October. You must be a NSW resident to enter the draw, and you may only lodge one entry.

When is the Cahill Expressway ballot open?

The best way to keep up to date with when the ballot goes live, is to visit the official Sydney New Year’s Eve website and subscribe to their newsletter. This email list will let you know exactly when the Cahill Expressway public ballot is open for you to enter. You can also find out general information at the Roads and Maritime Services website .

New Years Eve on the Cahill Express is a wonderful way to see the Sydney fireworks. It’s great to be able to relax with the family and take part in this fantastic Australian event to ring in the new year – Happy New Year!

Do you have any favourite New Year’s Eve spots? Share them in the comments below!

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