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AAP
AAP
Rex Martinich

Party hard but party safe: Aussies set to welcome 2025

Sydney's world famous fireworks will once again be a feature of New Year's Eve celebrations. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

From fireworks to festivals, Australians are set to ring in the New Year in style.

But party-goers have been warned there is more than a hangover at risk if they don't celebrate safely around the country.

Plenty will be on offer in the countdown to 2025, ranging from Sydney's world famous fireworks to a BeerFest in Launceston on what looms as an evening to remember.

However punters have been urged to plan ahead, use public transport and look after their mates to ensure everyone gets home safely and avoids a night to forget.

"We want everyone to have a great time ... you don't want to start 2025 in the back of a police truck," NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters on Monday.

"And I assure you that's where you will end up if you come in to do the wrong thing."

NSW Police have spent months preparing to ensure public safety during what is set to become a New Year's Eve focal point for the country - Sydney's renowned fireworks.

More than a million people are expected to watch the pyrotechnics from vantage points around the harbour, with the highlights to be beamed around the world.

Sydney's transport network will run continuously for almost 48 hours in its biggest operation of the year, with extra services from early afternoon on New Year's Eve.

"With widespread road closures and parking restrictions in place from early in the day, public transport will absolutely be the key to a stress-free celebration," NSW Transport's Howard Collins said.

In Victoria, police will also be out and about, with the entire booze bus fleet to be deployed for New Year's Eve.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said even first-time offenders faced significant fines and licence disqualification.

"We want everyone to separate their drinking and driving. Even if you've only had a few drinks, don't risk it," he said.

Melbourne's public transport will be free from 6pm on New Year's Eve with additional train, tram and bus services running between 6pm and midnight.

Safety is also the key message in Queensland after its 2024 road toll reached 301 - its biggest since 2009.

Public transport will be free in the state's southeast from 8pm with extra services organised.

"We know many of those deaths are related to drink driving and we need to avoid that at all costs," Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said.

"I am calling on people to make the smart choice. If you are going to drink, don't drive, get on public transport.

"We don't want to see any more Queensland lives lost on our roads."

Victoria New Year's Eve
Victorians will be out in force on New Year's Eve to welcome in 2025. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

In Adelaide, fireworks, food trucks and live music are set to lure about 25,000 to the Torrens Riverbank with more than 400,000 people expected to visit the city on New Year's Eve.

"The traditional Elder Park celebrations have always been known as South Australia's biggest New Year's Eve party and I have a feeling this is going to be our biggest and best yet," Acting Lord Mayor Keiran Snape said.

In Tasmania, Launceston will be combining fireworks with a festival to showcase more than 40 of the island state's fine food and drink producers at the seventh annual BeerFest in Royal Park on New Year's Eve.

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