Boating

Exclusion zone

Exclusion Zones for New Years Eve on Sydney Harbour are marked by yellow boundary buoys and patrolled by Maritime, Police and Marine Rescue vessels.  

An exclusion zone will be in place between Balls Head and Bradleys Head. An additional exclusion zone will also be in place east of Cockatoo Island and Glebe Island. No unauthorised traffic will be allowed inside these zones from 8pm on New Year’s Eve to 12:45am on New Year’s Day. 

A 6-knot and minimum wash restriction applies from 3pm on New Year’s Eve until 2am on New Year’s Day.  

There are no anchoring restricted areas from 8am on New Years Eve.  

Refer to the map on the Maritime Sydney Harbour major events website for details on all the restrictions. 

Safety messages will be broadcast on marine VHF channels 16 and 88. In an emergency, call 000 (triple zero).  

Wharf and foreshore access

Around many wharves, roads are closed, no glass is permitted and alcohol-free zones apply. The following wharf restrictions and closures will be in place: 

• Balmain East closes 5:30pm 31 December 

• Beaulah Street is closed for maintenance 

• Campbells Cove pontoon closes 2pm 31 December 

• Commissioners Steps closes 2pm 21 December 

• Cremorne Point closes 5:15pm 31 December 

• Eastern pontoon closes 2pm 31 December 

• Elizabeth MacArthur public pontoon is closed for maintenance 

• Harbour Masters Steps closes 2pm 31 December 

• Ives Steps closes 2pm 31 December 

• Jeffrey Street closes 8pm 30 December 

• Man O’War closes midnight 30 December 

• McMahons Point closes 10am 31 December 

• Milsons Point closes 3pm 31 December 

• Taronga Zoo closes 5:15pm 31 December 

• Towns Place east and west (Walsh Bay 10) is closed for maintenance 

All wharves remain closed until 1:00am on 1 January, except Man O War which re-opens at 7:45am 1 January. 

No foreshore access between Taronga Zoo ferry wharf and Taylors Bay around Bradleys Head National Park.  

No foreshore access to Pirrama Park at Pyrmont. 

Plan your night 

With congestion around boat ramps and a 6-knot speed restriction in place, allow extra time to get to your desired viewing area. Popular spots such as Farm Cove and Athol Bay fill up quickly, so it’s best to get in position early. Vessels over 15 metres are not permitted in Farm Cove. Use the boating maps on the Sydney Harbour major events website. 

Take everything you need for the event with you 

Safely prepare your vessel, by checking you have all the correct equipment on board, an appropriate lifejacket for all crew, and passengers. Know where to locate your safety equipment in the event of an emergency. Check your navigation lights are correct and in good working order. Keep a proper lookout at all times. 

Recommended vantage points 

• North-west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge   
  Clarkes Point, Balls Head, Berrys Bay, Lavender Bay.  

• South-west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge   
  Mort Bay, Ballast Point, Snails Bay, Blackwattle Bay 

• North-east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge   
  Kurraba Point, Cremorne Point, Neutral Bay, Mosman Bay, Athol Bay.  

• South-east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge   
  Farm Cove, Woolloomooloo Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay.  

Visit the NSW Government website for  more boating information including exclusion zone map and tips for attending event on water.