Sydney, NSW, Australia... sure knows how to kick start the new year, welcoming 2024. Bennelong Lawn, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, NSW, Australia. With KIIS, the official radio station welcoming 2024, with an exciting playlist of music to enjoy through the night. Bennelong Lawn was one of the most popular, more family friendly, free premium vantage points this year, since the Government announced their premium vantage points would be free. Grab a picnic blanket and pillow. Lie underneath the stars and trees, with the amazing view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Fully fenced, with security guards to look after us, along with food stalls, toilets, and refillable water fountains on-site. Sydney also has get this... FIVE police helicopters, one of them keeping watch over us - Auckland in comparison only has one, lol. This NYE experience is one not to be missed, and is like one big Sleepover Club indeed! Visited Sydney NSW Australia December 27, 2023 - January 11, 2024. Stayed at the Mercure Sydney (apart from NYE where I booked Novotel Central due to hotel availability). Captured mostly using my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. With the main fireworks displays using my Sony a7c which sadly, I've had to sell due to the high cost of living crises New Zealand is experiencing and having to move address but still livin' in in island bay. But don't worry, one of my goals later this year is to get a new Sony APSC or Full Frame camera - something more within an achievable budget like the Sony ZV-E10 which has an APSC size sensor which should be almost as good as the a7c and better than those tiny sensors included in those flagship smartphones (iPhone/Samsung) for good night video/photo taking. Our new place in Island Bay is super expensive, since Wellington is the most expensive city to rent in, in New Zealand. I'd REALLY love to come visit Australia again at the end of this year (2024) but due to the high cost of living New Zealander's are facing, I may have to put it off a year or two :( I do YouTube as a hobby, not for money. Therefore I do not monetize my videos, though YouTube monetizes all videos regardless. I recommend Epidemic Sound. They have a rich variety of music, and their annual personal licence subscription provides huge savings compared with their monthly subscription. Sorry for the late upload have had a busy start to 2024 - better late than never :D Checkout my Channel to see other videos from my Sydney experience. Including the grand fireworks, 9 pm fireworks, and also another 4k walk video from Bennelong Lawn to Martin Place Station we caught the double decker train back to our homes. This video includes a bit out of everything! Share the experience, enjoy your nature and friends. Here's our video... Alastair (AL), YouTuber & resident from island bay, wellington, new zealand xx