Our how-to guide to New Year’s Eve 2022

We’re ready to say goodbye to 2022 with a fantastic fireworks display over Wollongong Harbour!

This year, we’re inviting our community to join us for a relaxed, New Year’s Eve with official celebrations kicking off at Wollongong Harbour and Osborne Park at 6pm on Saturday 31 December.

To make sure you have a great New Year’s Eve, we’ve pulled together a how-to guide for the City of Wollongong celebrations.

No matter how you choose to celebrate - whether with friends and family, at home or with us at the Harbour – we wish you a happy and safe New Year’s Eve!

What you need to know

When and where do I go?

Celebrations including food and roving entertainment will kick off at Wollongong Harbour and Osborne Park at 6pm on Saturday 31 December.

When will the fireworks start?

Fireworks will start at 9pm. This year we’ve asked for the fireworks to be fired up higher into the night sky so that people can spread out along the foreshore.

What about road closures?

To keep our community safe during the event, the following roads will be closed from 5–10pm on 31 December 2022:

• Cliff Road – between Georges Place and Marine Drive
• Wilson Street – from Smith Street
• Campbell Street – from Corrimal Street
• Harbour Street – between Cliff Road and Smith Street, with traffic management in place at Market and Harbour Streets, Hector and Hinton Streets.
• Old Court House Lane
• Marine Drive & Endeavour Drive – 8-9.30pm only (in the lead up to the fireworks).

How do I get to the event?

If you’re planning on driving, plan ahead as parking and roads can get busy on NYE. We suggest using the Innovation Campus carpark as a park and ride option by hoping on the Free Gong Shuttle Bus.

On New Year’s Eve the Free Gong Shuttle Bus will continue to operate until 10.30pm. People arriving by train to Wollongong Station or North Wollongong Station can also hop on the Free Gong Shuttle Bus to travel to the event. Just look for the Green 55A/55C Bus.

Prefer to cycle? We’ve completed works on the Wollongong CBD pop-up cycleway which links the Wollongong train station and Crown Street Mall to the Blue Mile. Visit our website for more information.

Will there be food?

Yes! Visit Osborne Park from 6pm to 9.15pm for lots of great food and drink options.

Or if you’d rather dine in town, visit the Wollongong CBD website for more dining suggestions.

Is this an alcohol-free event?

Yes, it sure is. Please leave alcohol at home for this event.

Can I bring my dog?

Leave your dogs at home. Fireworks can cause dogs a lot of stress. Unless you’re bringing an assistant dog, we ask you leave your four-legged friends at home, preferably with their favourite toys and snacks.

Will there be rides?

Not this year. There will be roving entertainment along the Harbour and in Osborne Park, so head to the event to join in the festivities.

What’s the plan for music during the fireworks?

If you’re watching from the harbour, you’ll also get to hear our backing track which has been selected by sponsor i98FM.

You can also tune into i98FM via your radio wherever you are

Where’s the Accessible Viewing Area and how do I book a place?

We've reserved an Accessible Viewing Area for people with disability or accessibility requirements, and their family, to watch the fireworks.

Use our online form to book a place in this area.

Bookings are essential to secure a parking space in this area as there are very limited spots available. We will do our best to accommodate. Please take note of the following deadlines for vehicle bookings:

• Bookings for parking spaces will be closed on (COB) Friday 23 December.
• Registrations to use the drop off zone in the accessible area will be closed on Friday 30 December.

For more information, please email our Events Team or call (02) 4227 7111.

The New Year’s Eve Accessible Viewing Area is sponsored by the Cram Foundation.

Wollongong City Council’s New Year’s Eve is proudly supported by media sponsors i98FM and the Illawarra Mercury.