How to Spend New Year's Eve in Perth, Australia
A Champagne Cheers! | © Bill Masson/Flickr
Fantastic firework displays, a relaxing river cruise, huge street parties, a secret garden oasis or maybe a night at the races? Perth has plenty of great ways to celebrate New Year. We take a look at some of the best.
Perth decorates its big wide skies with fireworks every New Years Eve. With so many vantage points in the metropolitan area, there’s almost no need to leave home except then you’d miss out on the festivities. Join the free events on the banks of the Swan River, Rockingham, and Mandurah at the family friendly time of 9 pm as well as at midnight.
NYE fireworks | © shital.sharma/Flickr
Perfect for groups of friends and families, this car free island ensures there’s no road dramas with the roving entertainment, venue parties, face painting, fireworks and of course its charming island vibe. Native to the island is the quokka, a cute nocturnal marsupial and given their friendly nature, there’s no doubt they will be joining the party too. Popular anytime of the year, accommodation and ferry bookings always need to be made early especially during the silly season on Rottnest Island.
Afloat Cruises and Captain Cook Cruises ring in the new year along Perth’s waterways in style. With an open bar and perfect vantage point for the city’s fireworks, these adults only parties go all night long.
The ultimate river view of Perth’s skyline | © Carmen Jenner
Great Gatsby Gala
Don your flapper dress and dancing shoes for a night in the roaring ’20’s at the Novotel Swan Valley Vines Resort. Book your room in advance to give your party feet a short journey home when the lights dim. Tickets are $160 per person and accommodation packages are available.
Fun fact: Did you know Perth actor Joel Edgerton plays Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 production of The Great Gatsby?
Novotel Swan Valley Vines Resort, Verdelho Drive, The Vines, WA, Australia +61 8 9297 3000
Northbridge’s Street Party is a free event and ensures there’s plenty left in the kitty to dine and drink the night away at any of the multi-cultural restaurants and small bars. Even if you don’t book ahead at any of the venues, the party spills out onto the streets with performers, kids activities, bands and general revelry well into the wee hours. visitperthcity.com
Street party | © Michael_Spencer/Flickr
Freedom time
Great your uninhibited freak on at the open-minded Northbridge Block Party on top of the Roe Street Wilson Car Park. High above the mayhem with DJ beats and local artists, it is the ultimate dance party with a line up that includes Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers and Zakia. Tickets available from Eventbrite and start at $83.55
68 Roe St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Time to resurrect those fascinators for a flutter at Ascot Racecourse. The gates open at 9.00am and the New Years Eve festivities begin at midday either at the trackside or with a sumptuous Moet Luncheon with fashion shows and entertainment. At the day’s end the party moves onto Gloucester Park Race Course, and although there won’t be any horse races, there will be live band PROOF and plenty to gorge upon with fireworks over the Swan River. The fun returns to Ascot Racecourse on New Years day for the TABtouch Perth Cup ensuring its a New Year to remember…or forget depending on your fortitude.
Bar Popper
Bar, Australian
Enjoy Northbridge’s wonderful restaurants and bars all in one venue, beneath the twinkling night at Bar Pop in the Perth Cultural Centre’s Urban Orchard. Close to public transport and
tickets cost $50.
Kings Park
Park
Kings Park | © Bgpawikedit/Wikimedia Commons
We couldd quibble over whether
Kings Park is the largest inner-city park in the world, but there’s no disputing its one of the prettiest hovering over the city and Swan River. Spend the afternoon exploring the botanical gardens, traversing the trails, join a guided walk, discover WA’s history along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway or climb the 101 steps of spiralling DNA Tower for views galore. Pack a picnic, grab your favourite people and leisurely see in the new year.
