New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest and most visited nights of the year so if you are planning on coming into the city to attend a Celebration Zone or venue, be sure to plan ahead and take note of important information to ensure you and your family have a safe and enjoyable evening.
The best views of the inner city fireworks are from the free Celebration Zones or from afar anywhere you can see the city skyline.
New Year’s Eve in the city is one of the busiest and most visited nights of the year and how you move around the city has changed. Avoid heavily crowded areas around Princes Bridge, Flinders St Station and Southbank, visit one of the four Celebration Zones and check the recommended route video and map to plan ahead.
New Year’s Eve Celebration Zones will go ahead rain, hail or shine. Keep an eye on the forecast to make sure you come well prepared for the weather.
There will be several road closures and tow away zones in place across the city before, during and after New Year’s Eve. The best way to travel to and from the city is by public transport but if you need to drive expect long traffic delays and please make sure you check the full list of road closures and tow away zones. There will also be an exclusion zone at Victoria Harbour on 31 December meaning no vessels will be allowed to enter or exit from 9–10pm and 11.30pm–12.30am.
Public transport is free from 6pm and running all night on New Year’s Eve, and is the best way to get to the Celebration Zones. All train, bus and tram services on New Year’s Eve will run to a normal Saturday timetable, with some additional special services. Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations will be open all night, while City Loop stations close at 11.45pm. On 1 January 2023 trains will run to a public holiday timetable, night network operating trams will run to a holiday timetable. V/Line trains and road coach services will run to a normal Saturday timetable. See the PTV website for the latest New Year’s Eve travel information.
On New Year’s Eve, people attending city celebrations are strongly encouraged to use the public transport services. If you are planning to catch a taxi, please note that it is very difficult for vehicles to get in and out of the city due to road closures so expect long delays.
All Celebration Zones are accessible and include accessible toilets. Registered service animals are permitted but please be aware of the potential impact from firework noise at 9.30pm and midnight.
Just one piece of rubbish can have an impact. Use waste stations to dispose of cans, organics, compostable plates and other waste correctly.