The Sunshine Coast is set to ring in the New Year with a series of popular family-friendly fireworks events, although wet weather could dampen the occasion.
Mooloolaba will host fireworks displays at 8.30pm tomorrow night and at midnight, with a raft of entertainment, activities and food trucks to enjoy during the evening.
To the south, Caloundra’s NYE event will begin at 4pm at Kings Beach Amphitheatre, with fireworks at 9.30pm, while Coolum Beach’s Tickle Park has all the fun in the north, with fireworks lighting up the sky at 8.30pm.
Sunshine Coast New Year’s Eve 2023 is a Sunshine Coast Council event, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Police Service and other Emergency Services.
Storms lashed the region on Saturday and wet weather was forecast for Sunday, but council said on Sunday morning that events were still on track.
“The weather is looking okay so the countdown to New Year’s Eve has begun.
“Everything is going ahead as planned at this stage. We’ll provide another update early this afternoon.”
Noosa will also have its share of the celebrations, with Noosa Marina to hold its annual New Year’s Eve event.
The free event will see live entertainment from 4.30pm at 2 Parkyn Court, Tewantin, with fireworks at 10pm.
Spectators will also be able to see the fireworks from along the Noosa River.
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Mayor Mark Jamieson said council was focused on making the Mooloolaba event fun and safe.
“Council has been actively working with Queensland Police Service to deliver a festive event where everyone gets home safely, having had an enjoyable evening,” he said.
“We understand that families and teens want different entertainment and different music, so we will have two areas spread at either end of Mooloolaba Esplanade, one for families and one for youth.
“In response to feedback from the previous year, we’re removing any temptation to bring in alcohol by having a fenced and security patrolled event zone. QPS supports this move, which will make it much easier to refuse entry to anyone wanting to do the wrong thing.
“After their successful inclusion at last year’s event, we’ve engaged Red Frogs, who do a wonderful job of keeping youth events moving in the right direction and have a positive peer presence.”
The Mooloolaba fireworks display will be delivered by local company Fuse Pyrotechnics, which will use new technologies to reduce display debris and minimise environmental impacts.
Sunshine Coast Police are reminding members of the public that officers will be out and about during the festivities and that any alcohol-fuelled or bad behaviour will not be tolerated.
Officers are also reminding us to be aware of noise if hosting parties at home, and to be respectful of neighbours.
All of Sunshine Coast Council’s New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations encourage a family-friendly, drug, alcohol and glass-free environment.
Council has urged pet owners to ensure their pet is safe and secure, while fireworks are held.
Heading to the Mooloolaba event?
Leave the car at home – walk, ride or use public transport.
Neuron Mobility will have parking stations outside the fenced and gated event zone at Mooloolaba. Riders will be able to book and use e-bikes and e-scooters through the Neuron app.
With buses running throughout the NYE period, view bus timetables and plan your public transport route by visiting translink.com.au.
Don’t forget to plan your journey home – organise a lift legend, download or update your rideshare apps, or visit translink.com.au. Never drink and drive.
Parking
Parking is available at Mooloolaba Central Park N Go for a $10 flat rate. Wilson Parking attendants will be taking payment on entry via eftpos.
Catch a Kinetic shuttle bus to and from the Mooloolaba event. The free Park N Ride shuttle bus service departs from outside the front of Chancellor State College at the University of the Sunshine Coast to Alexandra Headland carpark (the northern end of the Mooloolaba Esplanade). Public parking is available at USC – CP15 carpark on Claymore Road. Buses run between locations from 5-10pm, every 15 minutes. Expect some delays after the 8.30pm fireworks.
Road and car park closures at Mooloolaba
- River Esplanade partially closed between Parkyn Parade and Club Lane, from 10am.
- Beach Terrace closed from 10am.
- Mooloolaba Esplanade between Club Lane and Burnett Street closed from 5am.
*The above roads will reopen by 5am New Year’s Day (January 1).
- Mooloolaba Esplanade closed between Beach Terrace and Burnett Street from 3pm.
- Brisbane Road partially closed between Brisbane Road car park and Mooloolaba Esplanade from 3pm.
- Burnett Street partially closed between Landmark Resort and Mooloolaba Esplanade from 3pm. *The above roads will reopen by 2am on New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Club Lane and car park, closed from 10am December 30 to 5am on New Year’s Day (January 1).
Heading to the Caloundra event?
Find up-to-date information at CaloundraNYEcelebrations.
Road closures at Caloundra
- De Vene Avenue between Moreton Parade, Burgess Avenue, Edmund Street and Ormonde Terrace will be closed to all traffic from 3-11pm on December 31.
- Ormonde Terrace between Edmund Street and Princess Lane will be closed to all traffic from 3-11pm on December 31.
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