Australians have awoken to their first day of 2022 with some nursing sore heads and looking a little worse for wear following a night of wild celebrations to usher in the New Year.
Tens of thousands of revellers were undeterred by rapidly rising Omicron case numbers as they staged wild celebrations across the country with some of the biggest crowds forming in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
In Sydney, organisers were determined to hold the biggest NYE display seen anywhere since the pandemic began, with six tonnes of fireworks deployed - around 2,000 individual fireworks - for a midnight celebration watched by millions worldwide.
Revellers across the nation continued the celebration well into the early hours of the morning with partygoers slowly migrating to Bondi Beach and Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast to watch the sun rise on Saturday.
Crowds slowly began to grow as the weather warmed up and provided the perfect swimming conditions for beachgoers. Hundreds of other residents have chosen to queue at drive-thru Covid-19 clinics as cases continue to surge with NSW breaking another pandemic record and reporting 22,577 new infections.
The wild celebrations took a bigger toll on others with some revellers passing out on the sand as the new dawn rolled in.
Others enjoyed quiet drinks and cigarettes with one couple setting up a picnic of fresh strawberries and champagne.
One group of friends decided an early morning dip was the best way to begin the new year as the revellers jumped into the surf while nursing beers.
Celebrations appeared to be just as wild elsewhere across the country with large crowds welcoming in the new year in Melbourne.
Couples were spotted sharing a midnight kiss as they enjoyed an intimate moment on St Kilda Beach.
Revellers who accepted the advice that they were far safer from Covid-19 outdoors than indoors were rewarded with light queues and prime viewing positions for the spectacular show.
Many of those who took up the best spots had come from interstate - particularly Melbourne - as Sydneysiders made the decision to stay closer to home.
The party also ramped up in Melbourne despite a heatwave after New Year celebrations were scrapped in 2020 due to the pandemic.
After enduring the world's longest lockdown, Melburnians were well and truly in the mood to party.
This year, there were four dedicated zones at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Alexandra Gardens and Docklands hosting street parties, outdoor dining, entertainment and live music before the midnight fireworks.
Thousands flooded into the Beyond the City music festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl with acts including Jaguar Jonze, Hayden James, Pnau, Lime Cordiale, Ball Park Music and Mallrat taking the stage.
On the Gold Coast, optimistic Aussies farewelled 2021 on the beach and welcomed in 2022 hoping for a much better year.
Also on the Gold Coast, millionaire OnlyFans star Jackson O'Doherty, 27, hosted the self-proclaimed 'party of the year' at his mansion which was attended by scantily-clad models, musicians and celebrities.
SYDNEY
MELBOURNE
GOLD COAST
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