Revellers gather in unity ahead of New Year's fireworks

Enthusiastic crowds have begun the countdown to the new year as they refuse to let terrorists stop them from celebrating.

A cloud of fear and grief has lingered over Sydney since gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in mid-December, killing 15 innocent people.

But leaders are urging people to come out and celebrate the new year as an act of defiance and unity.

On Wednesday morning, thousands responded to the call, lining the perimeter of the Opera House and Circular Quay for a glimpse of Sydney’s fireworks extravaganza.

Billie Kingston took a 2am bus from Canberra to join her partner John Kim at one of the city’s most hotly contested vantage points.

While the terrorist attack weighed on their minds, Ms Kingston was relatively at ease, confident a similar incident was unlikely to occur again.

“There’s a sense of unity here because of it,” she saod.

“There’s so many tourists here too and they all want to spend New Year’s Eve here in the city.”

Travellers from Germany, Japan, the UK and a united nations of other countries came prepared for the hours-long wait, armed with cooler bags, picnic mats and even sleeping bags for an afternoon snooze.

In Sydney, the Calling Country fireworks are scheduled for 9pm as a “celebration of sky, land and sea country” presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

At 10pm. the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be illuminated in recognition of mental health, sponsored by charity Beyond Blue.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore emphasised the sense of solidarity throughout the city.

“I hope tonight’s event brings people of all cultures, nationalities, and faith, hope and joy and a sense of unity as we stand together to see in this new year,” she told reporters.

At 11pm the Sydney Harbour Bridge will have a menorah projected onto its pylons to remember the innocent victims of the Bondi Beach massacre.

At the time there will be a minute’s pause as the bridge glows white “as a symbol of peace and unity”. Revellers are encouraged to switch on their phone torches to shine light across the harbour “as a symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community and everyone affected”.

NSW Premier Chris Minns encouraged Australians to enjoy the night.

“We want to make it clear that we are not going to be in a situation where the way we live in our beautiful city is substantially altered as a result of the behaviour of these terrorists,” he said.

Thousands of armed officers have been deployed to metropolitan Sydney in a bid to bolster safety as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged everyone to show kindness.

“What Bondi also showed us was the best of the Australian spirit, in all its courage and compassion,” he said.

Police will also be out in force in Melbourne, with about 500,000 people expected to flock to the city for the fireworks and laser display at midnight.

Revellers can ring in 2026 at live sites at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Kings Domain and Docklands, with live entertainment and fireworks from 9.30pm.

In Perth, fireworks will light up the sky above the Swan River at 8.30pm and midnight, with the best views at Elizabeth Quay, Barrack Square, the Supreme Court Gardens and the foreshore.

Partygoers will line the banks of the River Torrens in Adelaide for fireworks in Elder Park at 9pm and midnight. On the coast, there will be family fireworks at Glenelg and Brighton at 9.30pm, and midnight fireworks at Glenelg.

In Brisbane, there will be simultaneous fireworks displays along the Brisbane River at 7.45pm and midnight, while punters can also enjoy the light show at Surfers Paradise at 8pm.

For Tasmanians, there will be fireworks over Hobart’s River Derwent at 9.30pm and midnight, with the Regatta Grounds the best viewing spot for families.

Fireworks will also take place on the Darwin waterfront with displays at 9pm and midnight for an alcohol and smoke-free family-friendly event.