Glamorous NYE partygoers spill onto the streets in Sydney as the city fills with a million people before midnight fireworks

Australia has welcomed 2024 in style with wild parties that last long into the night.

Some partygoers’ celebrations ended with a refreshing dip in the ocean at sunrise, while others had to wait long hours for Ubers and trains into the early hours after seeing the fireworks.

But there were a few partygoers who went a bit far and were led away by police officers.

More than a million people flocked to viewing points across Sydney Harbor to watch the fireworks display, while others reveled in pubs, clubs and parties in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Revelers poured into the streets after the clock struck twelve, rushing to get home or, in some cases, to keep the party going.

The muggy weather caused men to unbutton their shirts and glamorous ladies in summer dresses to ditch their heels and go barefoot.

Couples walked arm in arm while others took to the deck, too exhausted to wade through the endless crowds after a long day of action.

Australia has welcomed 2024 in style with wild parties that last long into the night. (Photo: partygoers in Sydney)

Some revelers had to wait long for Ubers and trains into the early hours after seeing the fireworks

Customers were seen leaving the clubs on King Street Wharf looking a little worse for wear

Happy New Year, ladies! Two women celebrate the start of 2024

All smiles and no shoes: some glamorous ladies in summer dresses ditched their heels and went barefoot

Couples were seen arm in arm as they strolled through the city, with some men deciding to unbutton their shirts and show off their bare chests.

Big shoes for big parties: Women walk through Sydney after the fireworks

An emergency vehicle tries to make its way through the busy streets

More than 8.5 tons of fireworks were used with a crew of 60 people and more than 11 km of cable was needed to keep the event going

More than 8.5 tons of fireworks went up in smoke, in addition to 80,000 pyrotechnic effects and cheers.

For some, it was a 17-hour wait after queuing from the early morning hours to get a premium spot.

But it was worth it as the clock struck 12 for the families, friends, world travelers and locals who enjoyed front-row fireworks, a smoking ceremony, AI-powered projections on the harbor bridge and illuminated boats on the water.

Smaller groups were seen dancing on the pylons of the Harbor Bridge as children looked on in wonder.

By 5pm most of the major viewing points around the waterfront had already reached capacity and by 11.30am the Sydney Opera House was full.

Janna Thomas, visiting from Germany, is spending her first New Year’s Eve in Sydney and has secured a spot in the Botanical Gardens.

‘It’s unbelievable that we’re here. It feels surreal,” she said.

She had been queuing since 7.30am and described the scene as ‘total madness’.

‘It’s not that easy to find a good place to sit, but the view is incredible.’

A police officer tries to get a better view of the crowd

The partygoers were flanked by hundreds of police officers who went out to ensure the evening’s celebrations remained civil

A crowd is seen streaming towards Sydney Harbour

This group of girls chose cowboy boots

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said the city’s New Year’s Eve festivities gave the economy a $280 million boost, a 2019 study found.

“They remind the world that Sydney is a global city for tourism, business, culture, technological creativity and most importantly, Sydney is an inclusive and diverse city for all our communities,” she told reporters on Sunday.

Melbourne was treated to a non-stop and vibrant fireworks display alongside a far-reaching laser show that set the city’s skyline ablaze from 27 rooftops.

After the noon show, cheers echoed through the city, with hordes of people leaving designated party areas after witnessing the three semi-trailer loads of fireworks.

More than 400,000 people gathered in the city center to ring in the new year, many vying for a spot on the Docklands waterfront.

Rose Stafrace, from Mill Park in Melbourne’s northeast, had been venturing into the city for the fireworks for more than 30 years. She thought the 2023 New Year’s Eve crowd was bigger than the previous one.

“Every year more and more people come,” Ms Stafrace told AAP.

Some revelers were too exhausted to wade through the endless crowds after a long day of action

Time to take a rest and re-tie the shoes

Revelers poured into the streets after the clock struck 12, rushing to get home or, in some cases, to keep the party going

Security guards have been working hard to keep locations across the city safe

Two partygoers begin the long walk home

Outside Flinders Street Station was packed with people as security officers diverted pedestrian traffic and flanked hordes of revelers on either side of the Yarra River.

Melbourne native Jude Esom, who was accompanied by his partner Tatyanna Herrick and their four-month-old son Chiemek Chiazor, was lured to Kings Domain with the promise of Afrobeats.

“I’m from Nigeria, so that’s from my country,” he told AAP.

‘I love it when I come here and see different people, different nationalities.

“It gives me the joy of the Melbourne community.”

Similar scenes happened or were about to happen in other state capitals.

Thunderstorms brought heavy rain to the storm-hit Gold Coast overnight but failed to stop an early fireworks display at Surfer’s Paradise before a deluge hit that area.