CASHED-UP Sydneysiders are choosing to ring in the new year by pitching a tent on Cockatoo Island or partying hard at Bondi Beach.
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About 2000 people have secured some of the best seats in the house to view the fireworks after paying between $350 and $550 for a four-person tent - or a site to pitch one - on the former prison island.
They will avoid the massive crowds on the harbour shores by spending the night in 511 tents on a camping ground set up by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
In only the third year the island has been open to campers, demand has been so high for the prime positions that there was a ballot for the six best tents.
The tents have the best views of the fireworks and come with ''proper beds'' with sheets, towels and a VIP pass enabling the holder to avoid queues at the island's bar.
At 4pm yesterday there were only three standard campsites left and these were expected to be sold last night or early today.
Other events to sell out fast include the Shore Thing music festival for 15,000 overlooking Bondi Beach, an exclusive dance party at Cruise Bar overlooking Circular Quay and two ticketed events at the Royal Botanic Gardens with views of the fireworks.
But three events at the Opera House have been less popular.
Nearly half of the 1200 tickets (at $495 each) to a beach-themed event on the Opera House's western concourse remained unsold yesterday. The event, themed with day-beds and sun lounges, adjoins a disco party at the Opera Bar, which still had 100 tickets left at $295 each.
Inside the Opera House more than 320 tickets remained unsold for a gala opera performance.
These are selling for between $220 and $930, with the top-of-the-range tickets including a front row seat for the midnight fireworks and dinner.
Despite its dress-circle position, demand for a $1000-a-head dinner at historic Fort Denison has also been weak, with 40 tickets remaining from a total capacity of 150.
The most popular events include an exclusive dinner and party for 1100 in the Royal Botanic Gardens overlooking Farm Cove, and a picnic for 705 people on the Bennelong Lawn perched just behind the Opera House.
Tickets to the Shore Thing dance party sold out 10 days ago and scalpers are advertising tickets for nearly twice the $142 ticket price.
Other events with tickets remaining include a Frank Sinatra cover band at the Basement and dance parties at the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay and at Luna Park in Milsons Point.
Perhaps the best sites of all are the four houses on Cockatoo Island, which were allocated by ballot in August and September.
The houses, which sleep up to 10 people, include boat berths and exclusive access to the top part of the island, as well as uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge - a bargain at $5300 for a five-night stay.
GOOD EVENING More than 2600 police will be on duty in the metropolitan area on New Year's Eve, the state government said yesterday.Police are also targeting roads as part of Operation Safe Arrival, with double demerit points remaining in place until January 3.Alcohol-free zones around the harbour will be extended to include Rose Bay.Additional bus, train and ferry services have been scheduled to cater for 1.5 million people expected to be on the shores of the harbour to watch the fireworks displays.For information about additional public transport, see www.131500.com.au or phone 131 500.For traffic information and details of road closures, see www.livetrafficnsw.com.au.The 2010 celebrations are said to bring $150 million into the state economy.
