When Robert and Camilla Stanyer were planning their perfect honeymoon, they decided the icing on the cake would be to see in the New Year in front of Sydney Harbour's world famous fireworks.
Little did they know it would cost $1600 for the privilege.
The Welsh newlyweds joined tens of thousands of revellers on Saturday morning queuing at Mrs Macquaries Point for the "best New Year's show on the planet".
But when they finally gained entry to the peninsula four hours later, they were confronted by a virtual "no go zone".
Related Content
"We were stunned speechless, said Mrs Stanyer, 27. "It was rammed. We could barely see the Opera House or the bridge. It was a disaster."
With many foreshore vantage points either closed off or at virtual capacity by 2pm, the honeymooners were looking at the prospect of either staying put and seeing nothing - or watching the extravaganza unfold as they always do – on television.
In desperation, they began to work their phones looking for a restaurant near the harbour. In landing two of the last remaining seats at the Sydney Cove Oyster Bar, they will now be feasting on a "six-course degustation dinner by the lapping water of Sydney Harbour". But to get their dream back on track, it has set them back $800 each.
"Yes, it's a lot of money. But you only come here and do this once," said Mr Stanyer, 38, who added: "Now we are just feeling fortunate that we're going to see it. I mean, imagine if we hadn't."
The Stanyers, who were married in August and have been painstakingly planning their holiday ever since, count themselves lucky. Amid humid conditions, thousands of others found themselves locked out of vantage points late in the day with nowhere to go.
As the crowds increased, with up to a million people forecast to swamp the harbour, so did staged road closures across Sydney's CBD – more than any previous New Year's Eve.
More than 2000 officers will patrol Sydney's streets and waterways on Saturday afternoon and night: The biggest concentration of officers will be on Sydney Harbour and surrounding foreshore areas.
Sydney's fireworks spectacular and light parade at 9pm and midnight, will feature a 12-minute synchronised music accompaniment showcasing the work of rock gods David Bowie and Prince, as part of a special themed tribute the icons who passed away this year.
Fireworks director Fortunato Foti, who is celebrating his 20th year in the job, said everything was "99 per cent" in place.
Aside from the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, seven barges will act as launch pads for 30 tonnes of explosives. The night sky will be illuminated by 19,000 fireworks throughout the night.
"There's 18 shipping containers of equipment, 70 tonnes of sand, two paletts of water, six kilos of coffee…I don't know what else to tell you," Mr Foti said with a smile, adding: "Sydney's the place to be."