If you’re heading to the nearest city centre for fireworks, partying and general New Year merriment, public transport is clearly the best choice, especially if it’s free. We’ve rounded up the options for getting there and getting home in major Australian cities.
Picture by jo3hug
Unless we’ve noted otherwise, normal Saturday and Sunday timetables will apply (though some cities have added a handful of additional services on the Saturday). Don’t just assume a service will show up; check online and plan how you’ll get there and get home.
Melbourne again gets first prize, with free public transport from 6pm on Saturday night until the first service on January 1. More information
Brisbane also has free public transport, from 9pm on Saturday until 5:30am on Sunday. Some ferry services will close during fireworks. On the Sunshine Coast, buses are entirely free right up until January 8. More information
Adelaide has free services from midnight to dawn, with additional trains and buses scheduled to get people home. Trams aren’t running on Jetty Road in Glenelg More information
Sydney doesn’t have free transport, but return tickets will be valid until midday on January 1 and there are special bus tickets as well. Note that ferries won’t run after 6pm, Circular Quay station is closed from 8pm and buses won’t use the Harbour Bridge. More information
Perth has extra buses and trains running on most lines to get revellers home, though they’re relatively infrequent. Some bus services are also affected by road closures. More information
Hobart A flat fare of $2 applies to all bus tickets from 7pm on New Year’s Eve. More information
Canberra Some buses won’t stop in the city from 5pm, while additional Night Rider services will help get people home. More information
Darwin maintains its minimal commitment to public transport with a “public holiday timetable”. More information
Know of a choice we’ve missed? Tell us in the comments. Happy New Year!
Sydney2K
Friday, December 30, 2011 at 8:57 AMYou missed the Night Rider service for Canberra:
http://www.transport.act.gov.au/nightrider2011.html
Angus Kidman
Friday, December 30, 2011 at 9:14 AMThanks, have added that in.
Random
Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:14 AMMinor comment – Perth has additional buses as well as trains.
Waypat
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 7:45 AMAll that it peovrs is that we Sydneysiders, care of our shreiking media chorus are World-class whingers.The beginnning and end of Sydney’s transport problems is car dependence.
Daniel
Friday, December 30, 2011 at 10:00 PMA couple of clicks and you should find info on Darwin’s all-night free NYE services http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/public/freeservices/events12.shtml