Sydney, Australia is the largest city in Australia and the capital of New South Wales. Sydney was the site of the first British colony in Australia.  Sydney is also known as the Harbour City and is one of the most multicultural places in the world.  It has become a central hub of immigration for Australia.  The city is home to many prominent parks such as Hyde Park, Royal Botanical Gardens, and national Parks.  This is a major factor, along with Sydney Harbour, that has led to the city's reputation as one of the most beautiful in the world.  

Sydney, Australia has warm summers and cool winters with rainfall spread throughout the year.  The weather is relatively moderate thanks to its proximity to the ocean.  The more extreme temperatures are recorded in the inland western suburbs.  The warmest month is January with average temperatures ranging from 18.6-25.8°C (65-78°F).  On average, 14.6 days a year have temperatures that exceed 30°C (86°F).

The coldest time of the year is around July when Sydney experiences its winter.  Even during winter, temperatures rarely drop below 5°C (41°F) in coastal areas.  The coldest month for Sydney is in July with average temperatures ranging from 8.0-16.2°C (41-46°F).  Rainfall is fairly evenly divided between summer and winter but is slightly higher during the first half of the year when easterly winds dominate.

What does New Years Eve mean to you and how do you normally celebrate it?

New Years Eve is also known as old years night and is on December 31 of the Gregorian calendar.  It’s the last day of the year and the day before the new year officially begins.  Most people celebrate New Years Eve with parties, social gatherings, New Years Eve events/balls, or get-togethers.  Many cultures also use fireworks and other forms of noise making devices in order to ring in the New Year and make the celebration much more festive.  How do you usually celebrate New Years Eve?  Where is the central gathering place you go to in order to celebrate New Years Eve? 

Each major city around Australia holds New Year’s Eve celebrations, usually accompanied by a fireworks display amongst other events. Gloucester Park, a racecourse in central Perth, is the largest and most recognised display in Perth. In Brisbane 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the Brisbane River in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at Southbank.

The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia are held in its two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. The celebrations in Sydney are usually accompanied by a theme which is displayed in light shows and a large symbol in the middle of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 1.5 million people gathered around Port Jackson (Sydney attendance of 2 million people). The fireworks display last from 15 to 25 minutes and is followed by music shows set on several stages throughout the beach.

As one of the first major New Year's celebrations each year (due to time zones), Sydney's fireworks display is often broadcast throughout the world during the day of 31 December.

Even if you’re unable to travel to Sydney, Australia this year to celebrate New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of great New Year’s Eve events and New Year’s Eve Parties that are themed around the idea of having a passport around the world.  Find a party near you and have a Happy New Year!