A New Year's Eve in Sydney

Dad and the kids

My dad ticked an item off his bucket list two nights ago.

Since my mother died in April, Dad has been determined to see Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display up close. I am not sure whether this was a lifelong interest, but over the past couple of years, I know that it was mentioned more than once. But it was never a priority enough for my mother to get them out of the US immediately after Christmas so that they could make it here in time.

Although we assured him that the view from the tv screen was more than adequate, and far preferable to the crowds we would encounter, he was adamant. He was not to be deterred from this life goal. He paid a couple hundred extra dollars to leave New York City a few days before my sister and nephew, who are also visiting in January. Even a two-day delay out of New York City due to blizzard conditions seemed to strengthen his resolve, arriving just one day early on the 30th.

One of the attractions that makes Sydney Harbour so beautiful is that there is a huge amount of land that is set aside as parkland, reserve, or is otherwise open to the public. While crazy numbers of people make their way to the Opera House forecourt (look for it on Oprah!) or Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for unobstructed viewing and partying, we decided to seek out one of the more family-friendly and theoretically alcohol-free sites. So, armed with our picnic dinner, two lawnchairs and a blanket, we made our way to the train at about 5pm. We got off at a train station that was a short walk from a park on Lavendar Bay, just northwest of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We joined the masses setting up their blankets, chairs and tents at a spot with a lovely, close-up view.

It is important to note that December 31 was a gorgeous, sunny, hot summer day here in Sydney. The sky was perfectly clear, and the sun was just getting low enough that it wasn’t scorching hot (Australian sun is INTENSE). Remembering waiting until the last possible minute to brave the freezing wind chill at Boston’s First Night to view the midnight fireworks, we relished being able to luxuriate in the warmth and beautiful blooming gardens all around us.

Fortunately for us less hardy members of the family, Sydney is also a very family-friendly place. At 9pm, they have a family fireworks display, which meant that the kids and I could come along and see the show, and then head home, while the hardier (and more determined) members could stay until midnight. At exactly 8:45, red smoke lit up the bottom of the bridge, and a firework or two was set off to prime the crowd. At 9, the display began, including the display of the symbol on the bridge, which was an “X” for a “Make Your Mark” theme. It was, quite frankly, about the most fantastic fireworks show I think I’ve seen. One of the neat things about the fireworks is that they are spread out over numerous spots in the Harbour, including some of the buildings, lighting up great lengths of sky and sea. And we all enjoyed seeing the “X” turn into a giant red smiley face, and then an “Oooo” face with a rounded mouth, as the display neared the end. A little Aussie light-heartedness to finish off the show.

Afterwards, three tired children and a satisfied mother headed back north to Epping, with a slightly later bedtime than expected after an unintentional detour down the wrong train line. Dad and Rick stayed on. From all reports, the midnight display was beyond spectacular. Rick later recalled that during the finale, he was just so awe-inspired by the way the whole sky and harbour lit up, and the booming filled his chest, that he found himself involuntarily grinning.

But the best report of all? When I groggily greeted Rick as he crawled into bed at 1:30am, he simply replied:

“Your Dad is very happy.”