Australians are gearing up for New Year's Eve with fireworks and events across the country to celebrate but all eyes are on Sydney's famous fireworks display.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This year's $5.78 million show will light up the Sydney Harbour Bridge with 8.5 tonnes of fireworks comprising more than 100,000 individual effects, 35,000 of them shooting comets.
A special display of pulsating gold, silver and purple pyrotechnics will light the sky to the tune of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman in tribute to queen of soul Aretha Franklin, who died in August.
More than a million revellers are expected to flock to the harbour city for the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Melbourne's New Year's Eve fireworks display promises to be like nothing else in the world with special effects including flying dragons swirling across the sky and spider shells weaving a web over the city.
From the ground to the tops of 22 buildings and spread over a seven-kilometre radius, 14 tonnes of fireworks worth $234,000 will be set off to welcome 2019.
In Queensland more than 85,000 people are expected in Brisbane's South Bank precinct to see the city skyline light up with fireworks from five barges on Brisbane River, played to a soundtrack of 2018's hits.
The Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast will also have fireworks and entertainment.
In Perth, pyrotechnics, street performances and live music will be among the highlights with revellers also having access to free and frequent public transport after midnight.
In Adelaide, live music will be the highlight of celebrations as part of the city's status as a UNESCO City of Music but there will also be the usual fireworks.
Hobart, Canberra and Darwin will launch waterfront fireworks displays at 9pm and on the stroke of midnight.
Revellers across the country have been warned to behave and not spoil celebrations for others with police out in force.
Australian Associated Press
