Thousands swam to dazzling Elizabeth Quay for first New Year’s Eve display as revellers celebrate across Perth

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Thousands swam to dazzling Elizabeth Quay for first New Year’s Eve display as revellers celebrate across Perth

Thousands swarmed to the dazzling Elizabeth Quay for its first New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Smiles, laughter and the occasional kiss helped revellers celebrate the year that has been and the promise of one to come.

From Mandurah to Mindarie, there was plenty of public party places to choose from.

In Scarborough people opted for a drink watching the sunset and in the city, Elizabeth Quay was pumping.

Big crowds gathered at the City of Perth’s two fireworks events — an early one for families and the midnight fireworks display on the Swan River.

Mark, his partner Iyzel, and their four-year-old daughter Amara rushed to the front of the crowd enjoying the first of its kind display on Tuesday night.

Camera IconDeepika with her husband Bhanu and mother Suman watch the fireworks at Elizabeth Quay. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West ***********

Deepika and her husband drove south from Joondalup and said their night had been “amazing” when the Swan River sparkled. With kids on shoulders and loved ones cuddling when the sky lit up — the show was a hit with families.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said he thought the display was the “start of something really big”. “In front of everybody, something that makes it onto CNN, that makes it onto the highlight clips right around the world.”

“Perth’s fireworks, we are a big global city.’

People started gathering in the late afternoon at vantage points around the city, from Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square to Kings Park and the South Perth foreshore, to enjoy the spectacular pyrotechnic effects fired from a floating barge.

Police said they had not been made aware of any major incidents as of 9.30pm, with senior officers previously wishing the community both a “safe” and “happy” new year. Roads were packed and traffic was gridlocked at times, with Transperth staff even having to direct people away from buses.

Fireworks were also lighting up the night at Mindarie’s Breakwater Marina, on the Mandurah western foreshore, at Rottnest and Rockingham.

Others chose to celebrate by dancing the night away at music festivals in Claremont, Fremantle and the CBD.

Dad Ben — who the The West caught up with at Point Walter with his 14-year-old niece, Lucy, daughter Evie, 12 and son Cian, 9 — said he was looking forward to reaching his half-century this year.

“The whole family is going up to Exmouth to celebrate,” he said.

Evie will also be celebrating a major milestone: last year she graduated primary school and is starting high school in February. “That’s a big deal for her,” Mr Smith said.

Asked what the highlight was for his family in 2024, he said the best was saved for almost last, spending the second last day of the year on Rottnest Island.

“My sister and her family are over from the ***, and we’re spending the day on the island,” he said. “They have come over for Christmas, which is nice because they don’t come over all the time.”

Mr Smith said his family moved to WA more than 11 years ago and it was a “way better” place to bring up kids than the ***.

And while the Smiths don’t typically worry about New Year’s resolutions, he said his would be “spending more time with family”.

People hauled trolleys and prams piled high with picnic blankets and eskies full of snacks and drinks to the edge of Kings Park overlooking the city.

William Hendry spent his New Year’s Eve watching the fireworks at Mindarie with his two kids.

Camera IconThe first New Years Eve fireworks display at Elizabeth Quay. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West ***********

It’s a bit different to how he would have celebrated New Year’s in Scotland before they were born.

“It’s a lot more friendly and organised here,” he said.

Adrian Flematti has travelled from Kalgoorlie to Perth for the past three years to celebrate New Year’s at Matilda Bay with friends.

“We’ve done the same for three years now, it’s become a tradition,” he said.

More than one million people flocked to the eastern and western shores of Sydney Harbour for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks, with British pop star Robbie Williams performing before the light show.

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