By James Stone

New Year's Eve in the Australian city of Sydney is a dazzling affair and this year was no exception, with a lavish fireworks and pyrotechnics display put on to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the iconic Harbour Bridge. To book a flight to Sydney, UK Net Guide's Flight Search can search for the cheapest and most convenient flights available!

The impressive New Year's Eve parties across Sydney's city attracted a host of stars, including hotel heiress Paris Hilton, and more than a million people gathered around the harbour to watch the celebrations, with events scheduled throughout the day, including hourly formation flyovers from various aircraft, bell-ringing, sky writing and mini-light shows.

Celebrations kicked off at 1pm with the firing of the Fort Dennison cannon, while one of the highlights of the evening was the Family Fireworks and the Harbour of Light Parade, with over 50 seafaring vessels decked out in rope lights taking part in the event.

An indigenous welcome ceremony was held at the harbour at 8pm to herald in the New Year, with an indigenous smoking ritual of purification and unity carried out.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was the focus of celebrations and its 75th anniversary was marked in style at midnight, with colourful fireworks soaring into the night sky, 1,000 lights illuminating the 100m wide bridge and accompanied by music.

Other options to mark the start of 2007 included energetic dance parties in the city's clubs, a stylish party at the Sydney Opera House hosted by lord mayor Clover Moore, harbour cruises, with dinner and drinks, to watch the fireworks, a night-time picnic on Bennelong Lawn, a free concert at Darling Harbour, a New Year's Eve party at Taronga Zoo, a gourmet dinner at the Royal Botanic Gardens and beach parties, including a huge licensed dance party at Bondi Beach.

We rented an apartment overlooking the harbour, at a very reasonable rate considering the spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the balcony. As we were staying for a couple of weeks, the accommodation provided a perfect base for exploring Sydney and the surrounding area.

The weather for our time in Sydney was amazing and we took the opportunity to spend a lot of time on the beach, lazing in the sun and trying activities including diving and surfing, with excellent tuition. We spent a great deal of time browsing the cities wide streets and excellent shops and wandered around the pretty parks, admiring the exotic flowers on display.

Find time if you can to go to the Sydney Aquarium and the famous Opera House, take a walk around the headland, spend a day at Bondi Beach and visit the excellent art galleries.

Strolling in the Sydney sunshine, enjoying meals at its cosmopolitan restaurants, sipping drinks at outdoor bars and cafes and taking full advantage of the evening entertainments and nightclubs across the city proved the perfect antidote to the winter blues and an ideal start to the year.

Because it takes around a day to reach the other side of the world, it is advisable not to go to Sydney for less than two weeks, providing ample opportunity to see the sights and spend Christmas barbecuing on the beach.

Sydney is a great city to visit and many people fall in love with it on arrival. With excellent weather, the stunning harbour, laid back locals, a party spirit, quirky places to go and beautiful beaches it is an enchanting winter holiday destination and well worth the lengthy flight.