by Amy Jo Browne

Created on: February 11, 2009

Sydney Australia is home to 4.28 million residents and I thought is would be fun to compare two countries traditional New Year's Eve celebrations. New Year's Eve in America
is celebrated much differently than it is over in Sydney Australia.

I thought it would be fun to compare the two traditions of Australia
and America and Monica consented to provide me with first hand knowledge. Monica McCarthy is a resident of Campbelltown, which is a suburb of Sydney Australia and my future sister-in-law.

Sydney Australia is on the other side of the world from America, as we all know and the seasons are flipped. As America
is heading from fall to winter, Australia
is sliding from spring into summer. In essence, we'll be enjoying a cold New Year's Eve, while Monica and her family will be enjoying a very nice summer night.

Amy: In America, we watch the ball drop and have celebrations to ring in New Years. How do you ring in the New Year in Sydney Australia?

Monica: The fire works highlight the New Years Eve festivities in Sydney. There are two sessions the family session at nine pm
and again at 1200 am (midnight).

FYI: I would love to go over the watch the fireworks some time that would be awesome. This must be quite the experience; it would be like watching the fireworks twice on July 4 in America. Even better, the fireworks over there are let off so that they are reflected off the water. In related research, I also found out about the Parade of Lights in which many different sizes of boats are paraded around the Harbor.

Amy: Monica where are the best places to watch the fireworks?

Monica: The best positions are around the harbour foreshores as usually the bridge is the main highlight (this is 12am) families usually start taking vantage spots earlier in the afternoon. Bring plenty of water, and food, don't forget the sunscreen, which is must.

The recent trend is for rooftops of the buildings as our nephew's school offer their rooftop to raise money by having functions and watching the New Years fireworks.

The Rocks, Opera House foreshore, and steps the Botanical Gardens especially a spot call Mrs. Macquarie's chair are great and now Garden
Island and other small island in the harbour are great. This year Michael (her Husband) will be working at Sydney
tower, which has 360-degree views, which is a great place to watch the fireworks.

Our own city Campbelltown and other city have New Year's fireworks as well so we go to watch from a car park that we have a great view. These are also 9.00 pm

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