Australia/New Zealand GTG's Dec '09 - Jan 2010

06/01/2009 06:45:44 PM · #26

Originally posted by lentil:

football matches would be the same here but I am 99% sure that you will be fine with your gear for the fireworks.

Thanks Lisa, totally understand it for matches but not for watching it on a big sreen!! Will let you know what they say about the fireworks anyway ;)

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

06/01/2009 07:04:28 PM · #27

Lisa, where's this taken from? NYE Spot :)

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

06/01/2009 09:26:41 PM · #28

not entirely sure, but its on the other side of harbour, if you are near the opera house you are at Circular Quay

jettyimages

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/01/2009 09:36:10 PM · #29

Originally posted by talj:

Lisa, where's this taken from? NYE Spot :)

That could be from Watsons Bay, or from whatever that island is called in the middle of the Harbour....? Its definitely from the Eastern shore end

jettyimages

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/01/2009 09:40:37 PM · #30

Originally posted by talj:

Lisa, where's this taken from? NYE Spot :)

That could be from Watsons Bay, or from whatever that island is called in the middle of the Harbour....? Its definitely from the Eastern shore end

If you're looking for a really good spot to catch the fireworks with not too many crowds or traffic hassles, there is a great vantage point on the north end of the harbour bridge, its called milsons point (there's also a train station there, or you can walk over the bridge to get there). There's usually not nearly as many people there as in the city, and you get an amazing view of the fireworks coming off the bridge, the city, and the opera house. The eastern shore (as in that photo) is just awful to get to or from on NYE, and the city is pretty packed and nasty if you're not into attempting to pick up the swine flu, lol.

sherpet

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/01/2009 10:00:47 PM · #31

Just a suggest re NYE celebrations in Sydney. If you can arrange with your travel agent and get a ticket on a boat on the river would give you a great vantage point for the fireworks..... Also the hotel/resort you are staying at may also have a vantage point where it can get good fireworks photos. One of the best places is definitely on the water as you would then get both the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor bridge in view with the fireworks. Watson Bay is a good suggestion also.

Lonni

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/01/2009 10:45:25 PM · #32

Boats are great, but you really need a tripod for fireworks, and the boat rocking might defeat the purpose. If you want a good vantage point for Sydney fireworks you really need to camp out from the morning of the same day to save a spot. Lady Macquarie's point is great, but you really need to get there before lunch.

Fireworks from Lady Macquarie's Point

Here's an image taken from Lady Macquarie's Point - not mine, just one I found on Flickr

Message edited by author 2009-06-01 22:52:43.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

06/02/2009 03:03:23 AM · #33

Not sure I will drag a camera along for the Fireworks Would rather watch the fireworks and enjoy them vs spending the time framing up shots etc.... I have missed some pretty cool fireworks because I was more focused on my camera than the sky. However soon as we arrive in Sydney we plan on doing a tour around the Harbor etc I will be taking all my gear out for that.

joynim I was in Lower Hutt yesterday spent a few hours at the Queensgate Mall. Today we went up to Mt Victoria which has really changed since the last time I was up there 4 years ago.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/02/2009 03:17:50 AM · #34

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Totally understand what you mean Brian, I am hoping that I can set the cam up and then just use the remote release so I don't miss watching any of it!

Hopefully we'll get to catch up with you in the couple of days we are all there! :)

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

06/02/2009 06:58:13 PM · #35

Originally posted by rinac:

Originally posted by Nuzzer:
Which super secret spot is it you are after exactly?

Here! ... and just to add a few more views to this shot of the valley ;) >>

I was thinking, this one was taken down by the waterfront that you can see behind the tree at the right in those shots. That's three ribbons in essentially the same place - I must shoot there more often!

keriboi

Canon PowerShot G10

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon

06/02/2009 08:01:32 PM · #36

it would have been fantastic there this morning. Nearly got in the car for a drive. Im going up to matakana on saturday so will try my luck at your spot :P

Hifi

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/03/2009 12:37:13 AM · #37

Originally posted by talj:

Lisa, where's this taken from? NYE Spot :)

I think this may have been taken from Fort Dennison, a tiny island in the middle of the harbour. I think they only have a private party here on New Years Eve, but they may sell tickets for this perfect vantage point.

I believe you can also buy tickets for the forecourt at the Opera House, this gives you a really great view as well. These tickets are probable expensive and would sell out quickly.

The vantage points around the harbour are always packed with people, the 9pm show is more family friendly and not so many drunks around but by midnight expect to be in the thick of the party. Have only been in town once for New Years Eve and the crowds were so thick have never returned in the past 25 years. Lots of people having fun but you need to be comfortable with massive crowds.

Would recommend that if you can purchase tickets for a special area it would be well worth it because it would be very difficult setting up your tripod just in the general harbour area and not have people bump it, or get in your way.

Hifi

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/03/2009 12:46:55 AM · #38

Originally posted by sherpet:

It is well worth a try getting a booking on the harbour as Sherpet recommends. There would also be cruise boats that do a dinner and fireworks package.

The hotel where you are staying is too far away from the harbour for a good vantage point, I think there will be too many taller buildings between you and the harbour to see anything. Your hotel is right on the monorail and would easily take you down to Darling Harbour where I think they also have fireworks but you can't see the harbour bridge from here unless you walk quite a way from the monorail. There will also be lots of people at Darling Harbour.

PS the monorail will not take you down to the harbour, only Darling Harbour. From here you can catch a ferry into the harbour if you want.

rinac

Pentax K20D

Pentax SMC-F 50mm f/1.7

06/03/2009 12:46:57 AM · #39

Originally posted by keriboi:

it would have been fantastic there this morning. Nearly got in the car for a drive. Im going up to matakana on saturday so will try my luck at your spot :P

I think we've only got a couple more days of glorious sunshine left, you may want to bring that trip forward!

Natalya and Andi, you will most definitely be kept very busy during your stay here. Should ditch the rest of the Aussie trip after NYE and head straight on over to us ;)

Hifi

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/03/2009 12:51:10 AM · #40

Just did a quick google search and Fort Dennison in a ticketed area with only 150 tickets being sold. here is a link for it

//www.visitingaustralia.net.au/travel/NSW/sydney/special%20events/Fort_Denison_-_Sydney_New_Years.html

This may be very expensive but if it is a once in a life time trip and something you really want to do, this would be the perfect place to set yourself up to photograph the fireworks.

sherpet

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/03/2009 02:48:53 AM · #41

WHAT A GREAT IDEA as this would be the PERFECT vantage point...love from shez

Originally posted by Hifi:

sherpet

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/03/2009 02:52:53 AM · #42

The large sight seeing boats do not rock very much at all and have a great viewing spot for so many, especially to get the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House as well as the NY celebration fireworks..... If you do not book either this idea or the fort DENISON TICKETS YOU MAY MISS OUT IF NOT DONE EARLY.....LOVE SHEZ

Originally posted by Hifi:

Originally posted by sherpet:
Just a suggest re NYE celebrations in Sydney. If you can arrange with your travel agent and get a ticket on a boat on the river would give you a great vantage point for the fireworks..... Also the hotel/resort you are staying at may also have a vantage point where it can get good fireworks photos. One of the best places is definitely on the water as you would then get both the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor bridge in view with the fireworks. Watson Bay is a good suggestion also.

It is well worth a try getting a booking on the harbour as Sherpet recommends. There would also be cruise boats that do a dinner and fireworks package.

The hotel where you are staying is too far away from the harbour for a good vantage point, I think there will be too many taller buildings between you and the harbour to see anything. Your hotel is right on the monorail and would easily take you down to Darling Harbour where I think they also have fireworks but you can't see the harbour bridge from here unless you walk quite a way from the monorail. There will also be lots of people at Darling Harbour.

PS the monorail will not take you down to the harbour, only Darling Harbour. From here you can catch a ferry into the harbour if you want.

lentil

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

06/03/2009 03:02:18 AM · #43

bear in mind that the boats will more than likely cost a fortune too

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

10/27/2009 06:37:07 AM · #44

Well, we booked for New Years Eve at Mrs Macquaries Point. It seemed sensible to pay for somewhere to a) allow us not to have to get to one of the free viewing points early in the day, b) make things more comfortable for me, this way I actually get a chair for the evening and c) give us a great view and this place certainly looks like it will do that! Checked tripods/camera gear is allowed, which it is, so now all that's left to do is start getting excited! We have two months to go till our trip! :-)

Bugzeye

10/27/2009 07:21:16 AM · #45

You can buy a Daytripper Ticket which allows you all day access to all Buses Ferries and Trains. 17 dollars is all it costs. Very good bargain.

Originally posted by lentil:

bear in mind that the boats will more than likely cost a fortune too

rinac

Pentax K20D

Pentax SMC-F 50mm f/1.7

12/01/2009 03:08:28 PM · #46

Bumping this for the "beach crowd" ;) Can anyone make time on either Monday 25th or Wednesday 27th January to get together with T and Andi in Auckland?

JaimeVinas