An evening thunderstorm failed to dampen enthusiasm for more than a million revellers packed around Sydney Harbour to celebrate the spectacular fireworks and welcome in the new year.
The storm passed over in time for clear skies at midnight for 8.5 tons of fireworks costing 6 million Australian dollars (4.22 million US dollars) to blast up and down the harbour, beamed live to a billion people around the world.
But, the first country to ring in the New Year was Samoa which shifted its time zone west of the international date line seven years ago.
Fireworks over the capital Apia also welcomed in the New Year, celebrated by locals and tourists who timed their visit so as to be ahead of everyone else on the planet to enter the New Year.
(DPA)
(Image: Metro)
