The best seat for New Year’s Eve in Sydney isn’t on the foreshore. It’s on the water.
Every year, more than a million people pack the harbour’s edge for the fireworks. They arrive at dawn, claim a patch of grass and wait all day. Then they queue for trains until 2 am.
Or you can spend the night on the deck of Shore Thing 115. A 35m superyacht, a private crew, your own guests and front-row views of the Harbour Bridge when the clock hits midnight.
Why watch from the water
The fireworks are built for the harbour. The barges sit on the water, the Bridge lights up over the water and the best angles are from the water.
- No crowds. No fighting for a spot. No strangers’ elbows.
- No waiting all day. You board at 6 pm, not 6 am.
- No queues for toilets, food or drinks. It’s all on board.
- Both shows. The 9 pm family fireworks and the midnight show, plus the Harbour of Light boat parade in between.
- A private party. Your guests, your music, your night.
The New Year’s Eve package
All-inclusive charter: $85,000
| The details | |
|---|---|
| Charter | 8 hours, 6 pm – 2 am |
| Pick up | King Street Wharf |
| Drop off | Eastern Pontoon |
| Guests | Up to 70 |
Included
- Vessel hire, crew and fuel
- Grazing antipasto station
- Canapé menu
- Full beverage package, including spirits
One price. No extras on the night.
How the night runs on Shore Thing 115
Here’s how the night runs. Exact timings depend on harbour rules on the night.
- 6 pm: board at King Street Wharf. A drink in hand before the lines are off.
- Before 7 pm: take our spot. The captain gets us into position before the harbour closes to traffic. Then the anchor goes down and the party starts.
- Sunset: grazing and seafood. The antipasto station and seafood ice bar open while the sun sets over the harbour.
- 9 pm: family fireworks. The first show and a good warm-up.
- Between shows: the Harbour of Light parade. Lit-up vessels cruise past while canapés come around.
- Midnight: the main event. The Bridge, the Opera House and the whole harbour light up. You’re watching from the best seat in the city.
- 2 am: drop off at Eastern Pontoon. Right by the Opera House, two hours after the crowds have started queuing for trains.
Food, drinks and crew
You bring the guests. We handle the rest.
- Grazing antipasto station. Cured meats, cheeses, breads and dips, ready from the moment you board.
- Seafood ice bar. Fresh Australian seafood on ice.
- Canapés all night. Passed around the decks so no one has to leave the view.
- Full beverage package, spirits included. Champagne for midnight and a full bar from 6 pm to 2 am.
- A professional crew. Captain, deckhands and service crew. Glasses stay full and plates get cleared.
- Room for 70. Multiple decks, so guests can spread out, dance or find a quiet corner for the countdown.
Who it’s for
- Friends and family. One night, everyone together, no one stuck in traffic.
- Corporate groups. Thank your team or your top clients with a night they’ll talk about all year.
- Milestones. Birthdays, engagements and anniversaries land harder at midnight on the harbour.
- Interstate and overseas visitors. See Sydney’s biggest night the way the locals wish they could.
Planning tips
- Book early. There’s one New Year’s Eve a year and only so many superyachts on the harbour. The best dates go months ahead.
- Plan for a long night. The charter runs 6 pm to 2 am, and the harbour closes to traffic from 8 pm until after midnight. Once you’re on board, you’re on board for the night.
- Lock in numbers early. Final guest numbers shape the menu, drinks and crew.
- Pack light. A layer for the evening breeze, flat shoes for the deck and your phone charged for the midnight photos.
- Sort transport home. Book a car for after the charter. Trains and taxis are busy well past 2 am.
Book your New Year’s Eve on Shore Thing 115
The countdown is on. Shore Thing 115 is in Sydney from December, and New Year’s Eve is our most requested night of the year.
Tell us your group size and what you’re celebrating, and we’ll put together your night.
Enquire now at shorething.au or email charters@shorething.au
Harbour times and rules are set each year by NSW Maritime. We confirm final details at booking.
Sources: NSW Government – Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve · City of Sydney – NYE boating
