Revellers ready to party like it's 2009

(AAP) - Australians were already in party mood on Wednesday afternoon as they counted down
the hours to the New Year, with revellers in some states braving the sweltering
summer conditions in good humour.

The streets of Sydney were full of relaxed and cheerful people in casual dress,
heading towards the harbourside vantage points for the city's world-renowned
fireworks displays.
Umbrellas and sunscreen were the order of the day at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, where
the entrance queue was well over a kilometre long by midday (AEDT).
Revellers had to endure temperatures of 30 degrees plus as they queued to get a
prime spot on the harbour, with a million people expected by nightfall to enjoy the
free entertainment.
Peter, 25, and Carly, 22, staying at a hostel in Manly, had queued for four hours,
but were still hundreds of metres from the front of the line.
"We thought we'd be in by 10am, to be honest," Peter said.
Carly said people who had pushed in had managed to avoid longer waits.
"But we were here early and we're still not in so where's the justice?" she joked.
"Nice guys finish last."
Perth partygoers were also braving scorching temperatures of 37 degrees as they
prepared to celebrate the New Year, but there's worse to come on the first day of
2009, the weather bureau says.
On January 1, the weather bureau predicts the temperature will soar to 39C, before
cooling down slightly to 37C on Friday.
Thousands of revellers are expected in Fremantle, Northbridge and the beachside
suburbs of Cottesloe and Scarborough.
In Melbourne, half a million will line the Yarra River to watch fireworks and enjoy
free live music and carnival rides, or pack into Federation Square for a free
concert.
Another up to 40,000 revellers will attend Sensation at the city's Telstra Dome, one
of Australia's largest New Year's Eve parties.
The $4.6 million Sensation dance party event will feature DJs, acrobats and a
sit-down dinner.
Organisers say there will be up to 220 crowd controllers on duty at the party, along
with 50 medical staff and several hundred other workers, some also manning various
cameras around the stadium.
In Adelaide, hot weather is not a concern, with cool conditions keeping crowds down
at the major New Year's Eve celebrations in Adelaide.
Only a small number of revellers had gathered at Adelaide's Elder Park on Wednesday
afternoon, where an alcohol-free family celebration was planned for later in the
night.
But numbers were expected to swell ahead of two fireworks displayed scheduled for
9pm (CDT) and midnight, with clear skies likely to add to the spectacle.
Queensland will blast into its 150th birthday celebrations on Wednesday night with
spectacular fireworks in Brisbane and the regional cities of Mackay, Townsville and
Cairns.
Premier Anna Bligh said the night would be the start of a year-long party in
Queensland.
"There won't be another one like it celebrating our statehood for another 50 years
at least," she said.
Queensland became a separate colony on December 10, 1859.
Apart from millions of revellers, police will also be out in force across the
country - not least in Queensland.
Acting Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said three times as many police officers
would be on duty across the state than on a regular Friday or Saturday night to
control crowds.
"Look after your mates, be aware of your personal surroundings and if you're having
a conversation with someone that starts becoming irate, walk away, put your ego in
your pocket," he counselled partygoers.