Sydney rings in New Year with a big bang

1.5 Million throng city waterfront for annual event believed to be most spectacular fireworks show in world

1.5 Million throng city waterfront for annual event believed to be most spectacular fireworks show in world

An estimated 1.5 million people thronged Sydney's waterfront to ecstatically bring in the New Year while witnessing what is generally believed to be the world's most spectacular fireworks display.

According to government sources, an estimated one billion viewers worldwide watched the display on television shown by 90 per cent of the world's stations.

Out of state visitors, as also many from abroad, some of who had camped at various vantage points from early the previous day, partied jubilantly as the world-famous waterfront was lit up with city lights and camera flashes sparkling across the foreshore.

Bursts of brilliant colour exploded from barges on either side of the iconic Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

One hundred thousand individual pyrotechnic effects, which took 6,000 hours to design, were blasted from 130 firing points on the bridge.
u00a0
An illuminated ring of red and gold around a blue circle proclaiming the theme 'Awaken the Spirit' with the emphasis on 'soul and renewal'.

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Around 5,000 kg of fireworks were used in the display this year

Many revellers wore blue, the thematic colour this year, to reflect the city's 'spirit' and its stunning blue harbour and summer skies.

Blue fireworks, said to be the most difficult to create, illuminated the skies for the first time. This was made possible with the help of microchip technology.