Australia cautiously rings in 2022 with firework displays but smaller crowds

Australia has welcomed in the new year more cautiously than usual, with far fewer people attending firework displays and other events.

But after a tumultuous 2021 the prime minister, Scott Morrison, said Australians had much to be thankful for. “Despite the pandemic, despite the floods, the fires, continuing drought in some areas, the cyclones, the lockdowns, even mice plagues, Australia is stronger today than we were a year ago. And we’re safer,” he said in a New Year’s Eve message.

On the last day of 2021 Australia reported almost 33,000 new Covid-19 cases in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

“We have one of the lowest death rates and the highest vaccination rates from Covid anywhere in the world,” Morrison said. “And we have one of the strongest advanced economies in the world to come through Covid – there’s more people in work, more apprentices in training, a secure credit rating and businesses investing in their future with confidence.”

A child ready for fireworks at the Sydney Opera House Photograph: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Although thousands of people flocked to vantage points beside Sydney Harbour to watch the city’s internationally renowned fireworks, only 17,000 tickets went on sale. Masks were encouraged and unvaccinated people were asked to stay home.

More than a million revellers have visited the city for the displays in previous years.

But this year’s displays did not lacked scale, with six tonnes of fireworks launched across two displays at 9pm and midnight.

A sunset fireworks show for children and families on the Yarra River waterfront in Melbourne. Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters

Melbourne sweltered through its end-of-year celebrations with the mercury peaking at 37.3C at 6pm before dropping to the mid-20s for its 9.30pm fireworks.

The city’s lord mayor, Sally Capp, said it was undeniable that celebrations had taken a hit from the pandemic, but she assured people with tickets to event zones – open to the double vaccinated only – that there was still plenty to enjoy.

Many of the streets in Melbourne’s central business district were closed for outdoor dining, before people celebrated with glitter balls, DJs, dancing and a midnight firework show.

New Year’s Eve fireworks over Adelaide Oval after a T20 cricket match. Photograph: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

Adelaide also sweated into the new year with temperatures in parts of the city reaching 40C in the afternoon.

Fireworks were not held at Elder Park as in previous years, with displays instead for 5,000 people at Rymill Park, and more launched in North Adelaide.

Brisbane’s South Bank saw the return of its fireworks after they were cancelled last year, with no crowd limits or tickets required.

In Perth, where just one new Covid case was recorded on Friday, nightclubs have been closed and festivals cancelled owing to health restrictions. But fireworks went ahead in the city with a 9pm sky show and midnight display.

Fireworks near Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock

The Northern Territory brought in the new year with music on Darwin Waterfront featuring Amy Shark, The Veronicas and Conrad Sewell.

Hobart hosted two displays over the middle of the River Derwent.