Watch the Sky Light Up Over the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay
From 5pm on 31 December, Elizabeth Quay becomes the centre of Perth's New Year's Eve. The Fun Fair rolls in with amusement rides and a sideshow alley, food vendors line the water, and roving entertainers work the crowd until 1am. Entry is free. Two fireworks displays launch over the Swan River — a family-friendly show at 8:30pm and the midnight countdown, each running around twelve minutes. Stake out a spot at Elizabeth Quay itself, Barrack Square or along the Birdiya Drive foreshore; the displays are also visible from South Perth Foreshore, Kings Park and Langley Park. Roads around Elizabeth Quay close for the night, so take public transport and leave the car at home.
Cross the Water to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island)
Ferries to Rottnest Island start running from 3pm on 31 December, and the island puts on free family fireworks over Thomson Bay at 8pm — free, but you must register in advance. If you want a seated evening, Samphire Rottnest runs a ticketed New Year's Eve with Spanish-inspired tapas at Lontara, grazing stations, roaming musicians and DJs at The Beach Club. Book your Rottnest Express ferry early; dedicated late-night return sailings leave at 12:30am and 1am.
Head South for Foreshore Fireworks in Mandurah and Rockingham
Mandurah's free celebration kicks off around 6pm on 31 December, with fireworks at 9pm and midnight centred on the Eastern Foreshore — visible from multiple waterfront spots around town. It is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and pet-free event, service dogs excepted. Further south, Rockingham's free festivities begin around 5pm at the Rockingham Foreshore and Churchill Park near the jetty: rides, children's activities, food vendors, roaming entertainment and live music between the 9pm and midnight fireworks. It is part of the city's Summer Series and is generally alcohol- and smoke-free.
Book a Table, a Rooftop or a Ballroom
Perth's restaurants and bars fill fast on 31 December, and many run set menus with a view of the fireworks. Among the options:
- State Buildings (from 5:30pm): Wildflower offers four or six courses from $195pp; POST runs a four-course menu at $155pp adults and $60pp children; the State Cellars Wine Room seats 20 among a 900-bottle cellar at $155pp; Petition and Wine Merchant both serve three courses at $135pp adults and $60pp children; Long Chim puts on a Thai dinner at the same price.
- C Restaurant, on the 33rd floor and revolving, has a 5:30pm four-course sitting at $195pp or an 8:30pm six-course at $315pp, with live music and firework views.
- Hearth at the Ritz-Carlton serves a six-course WA menu at $295pp with Ruinart Champagne on arrival.
- Crown Perth's NYE Gala in the Crown Ballroom starts at 7:30pm with a three-course menu, unlimited Moët & Chandon and live entertainment, at $395pp.
- The Reveley (low kee) has a four-course menu at $89pp from 4pm to 1am, with views of both firework displays; Low Kee itself runs a three-course menu with sittings from 5pm to 10:30pm.
- The Camfield throws a garden party from 7pm to 1am at $35pp, bottomless from $75pp, with live music from FELIX The Band and DJ Buda.
- Also worth booking: Santini Grill at QT's "Candlelight Club" (five-course Italian, early and late sittings, the late one including Rooftop at QT access), 6HEAD Steakhouse at Elizabeth Quay, Papi Katsu's Tokyo-inspired banquet from 7pm at $150pp, Si Paradiso's Italo dinner party at 6pm for $125 or courtyard party at $50 entry, Good Company's bottomless session from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at $109pp, Bar Amelie's Champagne-on-arrival set menu, and Margot's oysters, charcuterie and bubbles at $55pp, ticketed.
For a looser night, The Raffles has DJs from 8pm and river firework views — free before 8pm, $10 online or $20 at the door, or $120pp for the Riverside Rewind Party with three hours of bottomless drinks and canapés. Pooles Temple at the State Buildings takes exclusive hires with cocktails and live entertainment, minimum spend applying. The Island at Elizabeth Quay offers reserved tables at $35pp entry (6pm or 8pm) or a riverfront party at $35pp.
Take the Family Out Before the Countdown
Perth Zoo's Zoo Year's Eve extends opening hours until 7:30pm, with acoustic music and roving family entertainment on the Main Lawn from 3:30pm and the Nocturnal House open until 5pm — included with general admission and free for zoo members. At Mindarie Marina, free fireworks go up around 8:30pm, with dining and entertainment at marina venues including The Boat, Indian Ocean Brewing Co, Life Boat, Sistas Mindarie, Union Kitchen and Six Degrees Mindarie. It is a licensed venue: no bringing your own alcohol, food or seating. For a ticketed festival further from the centre, Snack NYE runs 5pm to 1am at Claremont Showgrounds on Graylands Road in Claremont, with music, rides, bars and midnight fireworks.
New Year's Eve in Perth rewards a little forward planning. Ferries to Rottnest and tables at the State Buildings, Crown and the riverside restaurants all book out well ahead, and registrations are required for the free Rottnest fireworks. Decide whether you want the free crowds at Elizabeth Quay, a foreshore display in Mandurah or Rockingham, or a seat with a view — then lock it in early, sort your transport, and let the Swan River do the rest.