New Year's Eve Australia LIVE UPDATES: Revellers party their way into 2026 after celebrations marked by touching Bondi tribute and backlash at bizarre ABC coverage

Follow along with New Year's Eve celebrations here.

More than a million people are expected to gather in Sydney for the city's famous midnight firework display in a show of unity and defiance.

NSW Police have increased security measures to unprecedented levels at the event in light of the Bondi Beach massacre.

All eyes will be on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which will be lit white with a menorah projected onto its pylons at 11pm to commemorate the victims.

NSW Premier Chris Minns encouraged Australians to enjoy the night.

'We want to make it clear that we are not going to be in a situation where the way we live in our beautiful city is substantially altered as a result of the behaviour of these terrorists,' he told reporters.

Thousands of armed officers have been deployed to metropolitan Sydney in a bid to bolster safety as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged everyone to show kindness.

'What Bondi also showed us was the best of the Australian spirit, in all its courage and compassion,' he said.

Police will also be out in force in Melbourne, with about 500,000 people expected to flock to the city for the fireworks and laser display at midnight.

Check out our coverage below. 

Here's to a few bleary eyes in the morningSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People kiss as they enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVE1 JANUARY 2025 SYDNEY NSWWWW.MATRIXNEWS.COM.AUCREDIT: MATRIXNEWS FOR DAILYMAIL ASSIGNMENT:  NEW YEARS EVEPICTURED: Sydney's NYE fireworksFireworks explode over Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the New Year in Sydney, Australia, January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYTOPSHOT - Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year's Day celebrations in Sydney on January 1, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)epaselect epa12618903 Fireworks light up the sky over Sydney Harbour during the 9 pm Calling Country display of the New Year's Eve Celebrations at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, December 31, 2025.  EPA/DAN HIMBRECHTS NO ARCHIVING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUTWelcome to 2026!Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year's Day celebrations in Sydney on January 1, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)'Where's the menorah?'SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: An image of a menorah is projected onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. The projection was in tribute to the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: The Harbour Bridge is illuminated with an image of a dove and the words 'Peace Unity' on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)Aussies disappointed by NYE coverageLight at the end of the tunnel: Sydneysiders welcome 2026 with a smileSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 01: Fireworks light up the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on January 01, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: People enjoy the New Year's Eve firework displays at Opera House on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)PICTURED: Melbourne welcomes 2026Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/Shutterstock (16218924k) People watch early evening fireworks at Kings Domain Celebration Zone. Melbourne welcomes the New Year with special early evening fireworks at 9:30?pm at the Kings Domain Celebration Zone. The event is part of the city's broader NYE celebrations, drawing crowds to enjoy live entertainment, festive activities, and a safe family-friendly atmosphere ahead of the midnight countdown. NYE Special Early Fireworks in Melbourne, Australia - 31 Dec 2025Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/Shutterstock (16218924b) People watch early evening fireworks at Kings Domain Celebration Zone. Melbourne welcomes the New Year with special early evening fireworks at 9:30?pm at the Kings Domain Celebration Zone. The event is part of the city's broader NYE celebrations, drawing crowds to enjoy live entertainment, festive activities, and a safe family-friendly atmosphere ahead of the midnight countdown. NYE Special Early Fireworks in Melbourne, Australia - 31 Dec 2025MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: General views are seen during the New Year's Eve celebrations post Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on December 31, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)Australia falls silent in honour of the 15 lives lost in the Bondi Beach terror attackSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: An image of a menorah is projected onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. The projection was in tribute to the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)People turn on their mobile phones' flashlights as they observe a minute's silence to reflect on the tragic Bondi Beach shooting attack before New Year's Eve midnight fireworks display in Sydney on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)Sydney Harbour Bridge turned blue in display of support and unitySYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: The Harbour Bridge is illuminated with an image of a dove and the words 'Peace Unity' on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: The Harbour Bridge is illuminated with an image of a dove and the words 'Peace Unity' on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Thousands turned out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Sydney, as the Harbour Bridge lit up with fireworks. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Boats and people gather for the fireworks around Harbour Bridge on December 31, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Revellers turned out in large numbers to celebrate the new year in Australia. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)WATCH: Play School celebrates its 60th anniversary in SydneyWollongong scraps NYE fireworksViewers slam 'boring' show Share or comment on this article: New Year's Eve Australia LIVE UPDATES: Revellers party their way into 2026 after celebrations marked by touching Bondi tribute and backlash at bizarre ABC coverage
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