Australia has welcomed a new decade amid one of its worst-ever bushfire seasons.
Most capital cities went ahead with planned celebrations on Tuesday, despite calls to cancel fireworks displays and festivities in solidarity with those affected by fires.
An estimated one million people lined Sydney's foreshore to watch the $6.5 million fireworks extravaganza.
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in 2020. Source: Getty
During the event, almost $1 million was raised for communities struggling with fires and drought.
"We're proud to harness the power of Sydney's New Year to support people affected by the bushfires," the City of Sydney said.
Sydney welcomes 2020. Source: Getty
But just kilometres away, Liverpool, Parramatta and Campbelltown councils all cancelled their fireworks due to fire risk.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers gathered in Melbourne to watch 14 tonnes of fireworks shoot from 22 city rooftops.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the city's annual fireworks show was safe to hold because of the cool change that came late on Monday.
Fireworks erupt over the Melbourne central business district. Source: Getty
And tens of thousands of people lined the Brisbane River to watch their New Year's Eve fireworks display.
Brisbane Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said New Year's Eve provided a boost to the city's economy.
"People book these events a year out to stay in the hotels at South Bank," she said.
Fireworks went ahead in all other capital cities but Canberra's planned celebrations were cancelled amid a total fire ban.
A group of friends light up sparklers during New Year's Eve celebrations in Melbourne. Source: Getty
The start to 2020 came after a day where fires ravaged parts of Victoria and NSW, which left two more dead and five people missing.
In the lead up to midnight, many on social media noted the mood around the country was far more sombre than in previous years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison used his new year's message to urge Australians to be grateful they live in the "most amazing country on earth".
"The wonderful Aussie spirit that means we always overcome whatever challenges that we face that we always look optimistically into our future," he said.
"There's no better place to raise kids anywhere on the planet."
But the message drew criticism on social media.
During a performance on ABC TV's live broadcast, musician Tex Perkins made an obscene gesture in the direction of the prime minister's Sydney residence, Kirribilli House, saying: "This one's for the prime minister, it's called the honeymoon is over".
While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews summed it up as "a tough start to 2020".
Additional reporting: AAP
