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The beautiful, artsy, vibrant city of Melbourne is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year, but becomes particularly special in the lead up to the New Year. Throngs of locals and visitors celebrating New Year’s Eve in Melbourne turn the city into a hive of activity. One of the great things about Melbourne is how diverse and versatile it is. Whether you’re hoping to party it up in glamorous surroundings, enjoy a laid back celebration with friends or usher in the New Year in a romantic private setting, Melbourne offers myriad memorable venues and exciting events that will give you a momentous start to the year.

Family fun

With its lively museums, beaches, parks and gardens, Melbourne is a great place for the entire family. On New Year’s Eve, the skies over the city are set ablaze with fireworks, while free performances and installations abound in well-loved areas such as Yarra Park. The festive spirit and carnival atmosphere are sure to thrill children and adults alike and offer a wholesome yet exciting way to celebrate one of the year’s most important occasions. Families with young children who have to go to bed before midnight will still be able to enjoy the Early Eve celebrations, which feature a countdown complete with fireworks earlier in the evening.

Party in the streets

If jostling with sweaty bodies in a dark, crowded club doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, that doesn’t mean you have to hang up your dancing shoes. New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to party, and there are free parties in the city helmed by live DJs and accessible to revellers of all ages. Some of the city’s most scenic locations such as the Treasury Gardens and the dazzling Docklands area turn into giant open air dance floors on New Year’s Eve and provide stunning settings for a party under the stars punctuated by dazzling fireworks exploding overhead at midnight.

Exclusive clubs

Arguably the most stylish city in Australia, Melbourne is home to an enormous variety of clubs that regularly host world-famous DJs. Whether you prefer the exclusivity of the Key Club, the raucous atmosphere at Star Bar or the quirkiness of Ding Dong Lounge, there are New Year’s Eve events to suit every taste at almost every club in the city. Be sure to procure entry in advance as many clubs will be full that night. You don’t want to find yourself stuck outside in the queue when the clock strikes at midnight.

A romantic dinner

If you’re looking for a romantic night in pleasing surroundings with your loved one or a quiet, intimate dinner with your nearest and dearest, you’ll find there’s no shortage of fine restaurants in Melbourne, which is famous for its culinary scene. There are hundreds of great restaurants in the city centre. A firm favourite with locals and visitors alike is Felt Restaurant at Hotel Lindrum, where you can enjoy a fine dining experience in cosy, unpretentious surroundings followed by a stay at one of Melbourne’s most stylish boutique hotels. Make reservations in advance to secure a spot.

An evening in the company of friends

The people around you can make or break your night, and this is particularly true on New Year’s Eve, when everyone feels enormous pressure to have a good time and tempers can flare. For a stress-free way to enjoy the fireworks and usher in the New Year, throw your own private party in a friend’s apartment overlooking the stunning city skyline, from which you will have front row seats to the celebratory fireworks at midnight. While a little advance planning might be required, celebrating in the comfort of a private apartment is a great way to avoid the huge crowds that inevitably flood the streets on New Year’s Eve. Bring your own champagne, compile a killer playlist and you’re all set for a night to remember.

Tips

Ensure that your New Year’s Eve in Melbourne is memorable for all the right reasons by allowing yourself ample time to get from place to place and giving yourself a buffer for delays, as taxis will be in short supply. Public transport is free after 6pm so check out the timetables at http://ptv.vic.gov.au/. Though it will be crowded, public transport will save you a lot of money on the night. Alternatively, you might like to book accommodation at one of the city’s stylish hotels to enable yourself to retire in comfort at your convenience after a night of celebration.

Melbourne is such a vibrant city that thousands of people of all ages and with all sorts of interests have an amazing time celebrating New Year’s Eve there each year. The city can get crowded on the big day, so do your best to plan, make reservations where necessary and come prepared to enjoy a night of celebration that you’ll remember all year.

Author: Anna Johnson works in PR and marketing and specialises in working with clients in the hospitality and event industries. Anna takes a great interest in everything marketing, social media and travel  related and enjoys sharing her travels with you.