FAQs

Yes, click here to view and download the site map.  

Canberrans will be invited to picnic along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin from 6pm, with the fireworks displays at 9pm and midnight.

In addition to the permanent toilets already installed around the lake, there will be portable toilets located at the below locations:

• Regatta Point (including accessible units)
• Rond Terrace (including accessible units)
• Commonwealth Place (including accessible units)
• Ferry Gate near Nerang Pool (including accessible units)

Unfortunately the area around the lake is a no fly zone, so please leave your drones at home.

This year, the fireworks displays will be launched from the Central Basin and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge at 9pm and midnight.

We invite you to enjoy the fireworks from one of four hub areas: Rond Terrace, Commonwealth Place, Regatta Point and Ferry Gate near Nerang Pool. 

Additional vantage points also include the Black Mountain Nature Reserve, Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve and Red Hill Nature Reserve, and viewpoints in the suburbs of Acton, Civic, Barton, Campbell, Kingston, Reid, Russell, Yarralumla and beyond. Please note these vantage points will not have any additional infrastructure in place for NYE. 

The fireworks displays will be at 9pm and midnight. 

This year, Canberra’s Mix 106.3 will be broadcasting the firework soundtrack live at both 9.00pm and midnight. Canberrans can tune in to experience the fireworks in perfect sync with the music, whether you're at one of the lakeside hubs or enjoying the view elsewhere.

With lots of Canberrans expected to join the festivities, we recommend that you utilise public transport to make your trip as hassle free as possible.

Free public transport will be available from 5pm until the last bus and light rail service. Please visit Transport Canberra for more information and schedules.

There is an extended light rail timetable and increased services including:

• 7.5 minute frequency from 6:30pm
• 10 minute frequency from approximately 10:30 pm until last service from Alinga Street at 1:30am.

The best way to work out your journey is to use the Journey Planner.

Cycling/E-scooters

Two wheels can be the easiest way to navigate the lake. To make access via two wheels even easier, extra bike racks will be installed at each hub location and our friends at Neuron have installed some extra scooter parking bays close to the hubs– download the Neuron app to see their locations.

However, if riding a pushbike or E-scooter, please be aware there will be a lot of people enjoying the festivities. Please ensure you keep a safe speed and consider dismounting and walking through crowded areas.

I am arriving into the city via public transport / using the car parks located in the city – what’s the best walking route from the City?

If you are heading into the event from the city, the easiest walking route is across the footbridge at the bottom on Allara Street. Click here to download our walking trail.

Please see below a list of nearby car parks which include accessible parks. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and parking fees and terms apply as normal.

South side of the Lake:

• Parkes Place West, Parkes (short stay)
• Questacon, Parkes
• National Library, Parkes (short stay)
• West Block Main, Parkes
• East Block Main, Parkes
• Old Parliament House (short stay)
   

North side of the Lake:

• Russell Drive Multistay, Russell
• Russell Drive (2P), Russell
• National Convention Center, City
• 200 Allara St, City
• 300 Constitution Av, City

The following road closures* and changes will be in effect from 11:00am Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

•        Commonwealth Bridge - Southern Pedestrian footpath - closed

•        Commonwealth Bridge - Left hand llane Southbound - closed

The following road closures and changes will be in effect from 3:00pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

•        Barrine Drive, between Albert Street – closed

•        Wendouree Drive, between Constitutional Avenue and Kings Avenue - closed

•        Queen Elizabeth Terrace between Parkes Place East and Parkes Place West – closed

•        Mall Road West to King Edward Terrace  – closed

The following road closures and changes will be in effect from 5:00pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 01:00 Wednesday 1 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

•        Parkes Way Westbound, between Kings Avenue & Commonwealth Avenue on ramp - closed

•        Parkes Way Eastbound, between Kings Avenue and Coranderrk Roundabout  - closed

The following road closures and changes will be in effect at the below times as a result of the celebrations:

• Commonwealth Avenue - Northbound: from Kaye Street to Vernon Circle
• Commonwealth Avenue - Southbound: from Vernon Circle to King Edward Terrace. Entire road closure, will occur from approx. 8.45pm – 9.30pm and 11:45pm - 12:30am, while the firework display is live.
• Pedestrian access across the bridge in both directions will also be closed during these times

Please note, there is an existing closure of London Circuit between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue, including the closure of the two western cloverleaf ramps leading into the city.

The following carpark closures will be in effect from 7:00am Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 5:00pm Thursday 2 January 2025as a result of the celebrations:

•                  Barrine Drive carpark, closed

•                  Rond Terrace carpark, closed

The following carpark closures will be in effect from 3:00pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025  as a result of the celebrations:

• Regatta Point carpark, closed. Access is permitted along Regatta Place to access accessible parking spaces (permit holders) and taxi rank.

*Subject to change without notice.

The following carpark closures will be in effect from 7:00am Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 5:00pm Thursday 2 January 2025as a result of the celebrations:

•                  Barrine Drive carpark, closed

•                  Rond Terrace carpark, closed

The following carpark closures will be in effect from 3:00pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025  as a result of the celebrations:

• Regatta Point carpark, closed. Access is permitted along Regatta Place to access accessible parking spaces (permit holders) and taxi rank.

Changed Speed Limits

The following speed limit changes will be in effect from 11:00am Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

• Speed limit reduced to 40km/h along Commonwealth Avenue Bridge

The following speed limit changes will be in effect from 5:00pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

• Speed limit reduced to 40km/h along Kings Avenue Bridge

Please note there are changes to traffic conditions in the city for Light Rail construction work. Find out more about travel impacts on the Built for CBR website.

NO! Please park in designated parking spots only, we don’t want you to go home with a parking ticket as parking attendants will be out on the night.

There are plenty of places to park around the perimeter of the lake within walking distance of our hubs. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and parking fees and terms apply as normal.

South of the Lake:

• Parkes Place West, Parkes
• Questacon, Parkes
• National Library, Parkes
• Treasury West, Parkes
• Treasury South, Parkes
• Old Parliament House, Parkes
• John Gorton South, Parkes
• East Block Main, Parkes
• West Block Main, Parkes
• Federation Mall North East, Parkes
• Lennox Garden, Yarralumla

North of the Lake:

• Canberra Centre, City
• 200 & 300 Allara Street Parking, City
• National Convention Center Parking, City
• CIT Dirt Car Park, Reid
• CIT Staff and Student Carpark, Reid (boom gate will be lifted from on 31st from 6pm-1am)
• Constitution Place, City
• Theatre Lane Parking, City
• 3 Knowles Place Parking, City
• Borella Street, Campbell
• Russell Drive, Campbell
• Reg Saunders Way West, Russell
• Reg Saunders Way East, Russell
• Parkes Way, Russell
• Kings Avenue North, Russell
• Kings Avenue South, Russell

Please note that the following carpark closures will be in effect during the below dates and times as a result of the celebrations:

The following carpark closures will be in effect from 7:00am Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 5:00pm Thursday 2 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

• Barrine Drive carpark, closed
• Rond Terrace carpark, closed

The following carpark closures will be in effect from 3:00pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 to 12:30am Wednesday 1 January 2025 as a result of the celebrations:

• Regatta Point carpark, closed. Access is permitted along Regatta Place to access accessible parking spaces (permit holders) and taxi rank.

Our friends at Neuron have installed some extra scooter parking bays close to the hubs. Download the Neuron app to see their locations.

Please note that scooters will be limited to 15kmph around the Lake.

Uber and Taxi pick up drop off areas will be located at Regatta Place, Allara Street (behind Civic Pool) and Corner of Parkes Place West / King Edward Terrace.

Yes, there are accessible toilets available at each of the hubs - Regatta Point, Ferry Gate (near Nerang pool), Rond Terrace and Commonwealth Place.  

Absolutely, bring a picnic, relax, and enjoy the show.

Absolutely! With a first firework viewing at 9pm, there is plenty of time to support our local restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes for dinner and then make your way to the lake or another viewing location.

If you're enjoying a meal in town, click here to see our walking trail for the best route to the New Year's Eve hubs.

Yes, the below food vendors will be located at hub areas, serving delicious food from 6pm.

Please also note that none of the food vendors will be selling alcohol.

Yes , however we want a family, friendly safe event and strongly encourage everyone to drink in moderation and not provide alcohol to underage attendees.

Roving police and security patrols will be on duty to monitor crowd behaviours and alcohol consumption throughout the night.

Yes, first aid tents will be located at the following locations.

1. Regatta Point
2. Ferry Gate (near Nerang Pool)
3. Rond Terrace
4. Commonwealth Place

Please call 000 noting the required emergency services needed and your location, please provide an easily identifiable marker – ie a building entry, street corner, etc.

As we're expecting large crowds, we recommend chatting with your children prior to the event to plan for a meeting spot should you get separated. We also recommend you affix your phone number to their person (i.e. write phone number on their arm or pick up a wristband from the information marquee). 

However, should you get separated, immediately alert personel in high vis vests and they'll be able to assist you. 

There will be music but no main stages. There will be a DJ set up at each hub (Regatta Point, Ferry Gate near Nerang Pool, Rond Terrace and Commonwealth Place) playing music from 6pm until 9pm and again from 9:15 until midnight. BoomBox2U will be your DJs for New Year’s Eve.

There will also be a synced soundtrack for each firework display which will be played within the hubs as well as be available on Mix106.3 for you to tune into on your own device.

Please keep an eye on Events ACT social media and website, and listen to Mix 106.3 and Hit 104.7  for weather updates on New Year’s Eve, from 11am onwards.

If an electrical storm comes through while you are picnicking it is advised that you seek shelter in a permanent structure or vehicle (not under trees or in a marquee).

Please ensure any umbrella, pop up marquee or temporary shade structure are secured sufficiently to limit any possibility of wind movement.

We encourage attendees to limit the use of these structures as a public safety measure. 

In the interest of public safety, our staff may request that umbrellas, gazebos be dismantled in the case of high winds.

We discourage bringing your furry friends to the event as fireworks can cause unnecessary upset with the noise and sudden flashes of light, so for their safety we suggest leaving them at home, securely locked up or inside with a good movie to pass the time.