The theme of this year's fireworks spectacular in Sydney was 'Inspire,' and the multimillion-dollar show (centre) did not disappoint. More than 1.6million people thronged to the harbour foreshore to watch one of the world's biggest - and first,
because of the time zone - parties to welcome to 2015. More than seven tonnes of fireworks went up in smoke in 12 minutes, with the secret icon on the centre of the Sydney Harbour Bridge revealed to be a lightbulb (left). In a poignant note, the show included a floral tribute to the two victims two weeks ago of the Sydney cafe siege, Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, which was projected onto the stone towers of the bridge. Crowds thronged to the harbour foreshore, and were thickest around iconic Sydney Opera House the bridge. Crowds also gathered in Melbourne (top right), Brisbane and other capitals for firewords and parties in other states (bottom right).
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Sydney’s renowned fireworks did not disappoint with a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns filling the night sky across the city’s harbour and its famous bridge
It was worth wait for the 1.6 million punters who arrived hours earlier in the day to ensure they had a prime position for the spectacular annual event that attracts people from all over the world.
Luna Park - lit up in white on the left - pales into insignificance compares the shower of firecrackers covering the bridge
The giant blue light bulb is revealed with red electricity sparking into the sky
The Opera House turned a pretty shade of pink during the sensational display
At one stage the display resembled a sky full of white dandelions
Melbourne had its own fireworks display on the Yarra River
Spot the smart phone: an incredible moment to capture and share with the world
The bridge could have been mistaken for being set of fire as a blaze of orange envelopes the structure
Millions of revellers across Australia just experienced a taste of what is to come at midnight as the iconic Sydney Harbour lit up the night sky in preparation to celebrate the countdown into 2015.
The traditional prequel to the midnight annual spectacular – the 9pm firework display is particularly suited to families whose young children will be in a deep slumber by the time the clock strikes 12am.
Two bright blue seahorses were the stars of the first act of the city's renowned fireworks display as the Sydney Harbour Bridge once again stole the show.
Revellers gathered on the foreshore wherever they could find room for the magical display
Never an event to disappoint – both fireworks displays feature a total of seven tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.
Following the 9pm display, the Harbour of Light Parade will see more than 50 illuminated boats carry over 8,000 people on a majestic passage around Sydney Harbour.
And as if that wasn't enough - a third mini-display, known as the 'Inspire moment', kicked off at 10.40pm to keep crowds entertained in the lead up to the much-anticipated countdown.
Other icons were also part of the display, with the Sydney Opera House illuminated in an explosion of pink
A symphony of reds, greens, pinks, blues and whites burst over the harbour, which ascended into a waterfall of red and yellow, hurtling from the bottom of the Harbour Bridge
Millions of revellers across Australia just experienced a taste of what is to come at midnight as the iconic Sydney Harbour lit up the night sky in preparation to celebrate the countdown into 2015
Two bright blue seahorses forming a love heart were the stars of the first act of the city's renowned fireworks display as the Sydney Harbour Bridge once again stole the show
Following the 9pm display, the Harbour of Light Parade saw more than 50 illuminated boats carry over 8,000 people on a majestic passage around Sydney Harbour
Meanwhile, Australia's dear country cousin - New Zealand is already celebrating 2015 with a dazzling light display at the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland as the revellers saw in the new year two hours earlier than their Down Under pals.
A party atmosphere had built before the show in Sydney's Botanic Gardens where some had been queuing since dawn to get in.
Those who had bagged the best spots to watch the fireworks relaxed on blankets in the last of the day's sunshine, many wearing 2015 headdresses and clinking drinks.
As the dark descended, loud cheers rang out among the throng in anticipation of the start of the night's celebrations.
Calli Newman, from Ohio in the United States, had travelled from Brisbane saying: 'I've wanted to do this for ages.'
Her friend, Chris Porter, added: 'When you Google the best places for New Year, Sydney always comes out top.
'I started queuing at about 7am but there were a lot of people here since 5am. It's been fun.'
Below the gardens hundreds of boats of all sizes bobbed around in the harbour, with those lucky enough to be on board sure to have some of the best vantage points of all to watch the fireworks.
Both fireworks displays feature a total of seven tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects
The Sydney Opera House appears striking with fire works going off in the background
Even the clouds take on fabulous hues from the colourful fire works
By just before 7pm, Sydney proved its popularity, with viewing spots around the Harbour, including Mrs Macquaries Point, East Circular Quay and Blues Point Reserve in North Sydney at capacity.
Most streets in Sydney's CBD were also shut down for the New Year's Eve celebration, while areas surrounding the harbour, including McMahons Point, Mosman and Potts Point were blocked.
An expected 1.6 million revellers will now wait for the third round of fireworks in the big midnight finale where the 12 storey, mystery symbol on the Harbour Bridge will finally be revealed.
The light display resemble giant lollipops much to the delight of the children looking on in the 9pm family show
Australia's dear country cousin - New Zealand is already celebrating 2015 with a dazzling light display in Auckland
The Sky Tower took on a life of its own in Auckland with colour shooting and sparking from the top of the building
Thousands of people have already started the New Years Eve festivities, streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks display
Thousands of people started the festivities, streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks display, with over 1.6 million Sydneysiders expected to fill the Harbour, and half a million expected in Melbourne's Federation Square.
NSW Police began breathalising people on boats in Sydney Harbour, as the vehicles jostle for the best position to view the fireworks.
The harbour is expected to dazzle as 50 vessels carrying over 8,000 people erupt in light shortly after the first round of fireworks at 9pm.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen moored at Point Piper on Tuesday morning, snagging the prime position for the fireworks display with his 126-metre long yacht, The Octopus.
Hundreds of umbrellas and tents have popped up on Sydney's Blues Point as people settle in to wait for the symphonic light display, with huge queues forming overnight to secure a prominent view.
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