BIGGER and better is the promise from Australian capital cities preparing their New Year’s Eve pyrotechnic-infused celebrations.
Melbourne will ring in the new year with a fireworks show promised to be seen from anywhere that has a view of the city skyline.
More than 550,000 revellers are expected to pack the city centre, with fireworks to be launched from 22 locations, including city rooftops, by a team of 44 pyrotechnicians.
Celebrations will take place at four key places including Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, and Kings Domain.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the addition of Kings Domain this year ensured the city was covered from all angles to ensure revellers had a good viewing and crowds were dispersed safely.
The drawcard end-of-year event in Australia will be in Sydney, where a third fireworks show has been added.
A 10.30pm (AEDT) pyrotechnics display will light up the sky over Sydney Harbour on Tuesday night along with the traditional 9pm and midnight shows.
Seven tonnes of fireworks were loaded onto barges in Sydney on Friday in preparation.
About 1.5 million people are expected at the harbour and another 1.1 billion worldwide will watch a telecast of festivities.
Brisbane has also revealed a stronger display this year, with a promise for the biggest fireworks show ever seen in Queensland.
Brisbane River will light up with 30,000 pyrotechnic effects fired from three barges and three rooftops at 8.30pm (AEST) and midnight.
More than 70,000 revellers are expected to watch the show at vantage points including South Bank Parklands, Kangaroo Point, the Botanic Gardens and Eagle Street Pier.
The new year will be welcomed in WA with less bangs but more beach.
New York hip-hop trio De La Soul will headline the Salt on the Beach NYE party at North Fremantle, while Rockingham and the Shelley foreshore are also tipped to draw revellers.
The beach will even reach inner-city Perth, where 80 tonnes of sand and sprinklers will be brought in at the Leederville’s pub beach party.
Aside from marking the end of 2013, midnight in the ACT will also mark the end of the territory’s centenary celebrations for the founding of Canberra.
The nation’s capital will stage a free family concert and dance party in the city, with fireworks displays at 9pm (AEDT) and midnight.
