Celebrations to ring in the new year have been held around Australia with most of the country marking the start of 2023 with good weather and big crowds.
More than a million spectators flocked to Sydney for the city's first New Year's Eve fireworks display without restrictions since the pandemic began almost three years ago.
South Australian fire services urged the public to leave the pyrotechnics to the experts this New Year's celebration in Adelaide.
The Country Fire Service (CFS) said firefighters have been responding to a number of large grass fires since Christmas.
"With dangerous fire days predicted to continue over the next week, illegal fireworks increase the chance of a bushfire starting, putting communities at risk," CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin said.
Across the nation, temperatures reached the high 20s on Saturday, with showers clearing in Sydney and Brisbane.
New South Wales
New Year's Eve revellers descended on vantage points around Sydney Harbour early morning in anticipation of the fireworks — the first without COVID-19 restrictions since the pandemic began.
Many waited for hours at ticketed locations for gates to open by napping, eating snacks and turning to their mobile phones for distraction.
At the Opera House, one of the most sought-after locations, people rushed to claim free spots and set in for the long wait. By 10am the area had reached capacity.
"We arrived at something like 7:30am, it was very hard to wait," a reveller at the Opera House forecourt said.
"It's going to be a long day but it's going to be the most famous event that we've seen."
At Mrs Macquarie's Chair, partygoers started to push their way forward to get the best vantage point.
Frank Desouza travelled from the United Kingdom to witness the celebration with his two children.
"It's magic — Sydney fireworks," he said. "We can't wait."
As one of the first major cities in the world to ring in 2023, it was also estimated that half-a-billion people globally will tune into to the broadcast.
At a park in Sydney's inner-west, a Japanese tourist told the ABC she had travelled from Cairns to watch the fireworks.
"This is my dream, it's so famous in Japan. It's come true," she said.
Saturday night's celebrations kicked off with a smoking ceremony around the harbour, followed by the 9pm fireworks.
The earlier fireworks show was curated by First Nations artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Dennis Golding from Re-Right Collective in partnership with Gadigal artist Nadeena Dixon and Foti International Fireworks.
The midnight show burned through eight tonnes of pyrotechnics with more than 7,000 fireworks launched from various locations across the harbour and CBD including the Harbour Bridge.
Queensland
Crowds gathered along the Brisbane River to get a vantage point for the evening's fireworks, held at 8:30pm and midnight.
Queenslanders welcomed the new year with 130 fireworks displays across the state.
Thousands poured into the Southbank Parklands throughout Saturday, some from as early as 6am, to secure spots to watch Brisbane's celebration.
Visitors came from as far away as India, Gladstone and Townsville.
Manchester mum Nicola and her sons Harry and Louis said it was unlike anything they had seen in the UK.
"This has been unreal, we've never seen anything like this in England, the crowds have totally surprised us," Nicola said.
"Best thing I've ever seen, it was amazing," Louis said.
Gold Coast boys Ethan and Raylan said it was nice to bring in the new year with their families.
"I like New Years because I can spend time with my family and look at the cool fireworks," Raylan said.
The display featured an ode to Brisbane's Jacaranda trees which turn Brisbane streets purple before the start of each summer.
Queensland Ambulance assistant commissioner Tony Armstrong said the service had prepared for "one of the biggest events on the calendar" by rostering on an extra 270 paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers.
"To ensure we respond to the community in a timely manner. We expect a busy night," he said.
"We do see increase incidents this time of year of drug and alcohol-related incidents."
Public transport across South-East Queensland was scheduled to be free from 8pm until 5.30am on January 1 — excluding the AirTrain, long-distance travel and on-demand services.
There were also extra buses in rotation from 6pm on the Gold Coast, 7pm on the Sunshine Coast and 8.30pm in Brisbane.
"And, of course, extra train services from 8.30pm across south-east Queensland to ensure that people are able to get home safely and in a timely manner," acting transport minister Leanne Enoch said.
Beachgoers at Mooloolaba said they were enjoying the atmosphere.
“It’s bloody amazing. We couldn't wipe the smiles from our faces,” Sunshine Coast local, Shanice Johnson said.
She said she would be having a quieter New Year’s Eve than usual after welcoming a baby eight months ago, and was looking forward to the fireworks display.
“Happy New Year’s everyone, I hope that you have a safe new year and everyone just enjoys themselves.”
Northern Territory
Darwin's official fireworks and concert were cancelled due to severe weather across the Top End.
The Darwin Waterfront Corporation cited safety concerns when delivering the dampening news on Saturday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for potentially damaging winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour on Friday.
Punters instead headed into Mitchell Street a bit earlier than usual.
The usual planned event at the Waterfront attracts thousands, who then travelled to other parts of the capital.
The wild weather may have washed away the firework show, but many restaurants and bars filled up ahead of the New Year.
Victoria
Crowds gathered at four celebration zones where there was free entertainment in Melbourne's city, with family-friendly fireworks starting at 9:30pm.
More than 400,000 people were expected to head into the city on New Year's Eve.
Thirty CBD rooftops were used to launch Melbourne's fireworks, up from 22 last year. The shows also featured laser technology.
Melburnians also celebrated the early reopening of all lanes of the West Gate Bridge at 9pm, ending days of major traffic delays on the crucial link between two sides of the city.
With free metropolitan and regional public transport running until 6am, people coming into the city were being urged to leave their cars at home for the night.
Thousands of police were patrolling Melbourne's CBD and foreshore, as well as regional centres and key holiday destinations.
There were also early fireworks on Geelong's waterfront and in Mildura, ahead of the midnight shows.
Ballarat and Bendigo were among other regional centres hosting free events in Victoria.
Australian Capital Territory
Crowds were building on the foreshores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra from the early afternoon, before the 9pm fireworks sparked cheers from thousands.
Organisers said the 9pm fireworks were more kid-friendly, with a few smiley faces, different shapes, and noisy whistles to keep all ages entertained.
Plenty of families and picnickers are made the most of the good weather, with DJs, food trucks and plenty of entertainment to help ring in the New Year.
Police targeted illegal firework usage in the suburbs after a reported spike from Christmas Eve, in addition to ensuring crowds stayed safe.
Tasmania
Thousands of people descended on the Hobart waterfront to ring in the new year.
Locals and visitors from far-flung places turned out in droves to make the most of the nice weather.
Those who snagged a ticket to the Taste of Summer New Year's Eve Party had the chance to feast on food and drinks from more than 80 stalls set up at Princes Wharf No. 1.
Local musicians treated the audience to live music throughout the evening, as well as big ticket act Darryl Braithwaite.
Crowds were treated to the first fireworks display beginning at 9.30pm, followed by another round at midnight.
Ahead of the celebrations, Tasmania Police said they would have a heightened presence in entertainment precincts and on the roads across the state to ensure people celebrate responsibly.
Western Australia
Crowds gathered in Elizabeth Quay for Perth's first round of family-friendly fireworks at 9pm, as New Years Eve festivities kicked off in earnest following last year's event cancellations.
It was a turnout anticipated by Perth's Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, who yesterday told the media he expected tens of thousands of people to make their way into the city centre for the celebrations.
In the port city of Fremantle, family and friends lapped up the last hours of 2022 daylight together by the beachfront.
Party-goers waiting out the midnight countdown flocked to Esplanade Park for the city's major ticketed attraction, which drew crowds of 7,500 people.
Event organiser Ross Drennan said it was a joy to see events back in full swing, after late COVID announcements last year cost his business $1 million.
"It's just such a relief to be able to run a New Year's Eve event after last year was cancelled," he said.
"We've had a great turnout tonight. Everyone's had a great night!"
While police were a steady presence around town, WA enjoyed what was a largely relaxed and uneventful evening of festivities.
King sends Australians 'warmest good wishes'
In a statement King Charles said he and his family were sending all Australians their "warmest good wishes".
"I know it has been a challenging year for many, not least due to the terrible floods and the global pandemic, but it was heartening to see and hear reports of communities across Australia remaining united and committed to supporting one another.
"This brings you and all the people of Australia every blessing for 2023."
