Bleary-eyed revellers across Australia are waking up to 2016 after again proving beyond any doubt why the country is world-famous for its new year celebrations.
More than 1.6 million Sydneysiders burst into rapturous cheers and applause when a spectacular midnight fireworks show exploded against an iconic backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
For many partygoers standing in awe of the extravagant 15-minute display, catching a glimpse of the pyrotechnic show was the realisation of life-long dreams.
Melbourne welcomed 2016 with its biggest fireworks display yet, sending nearly 10 tonnes of fireworks into the sky at midnight in a rooftop display.
More than 100,000 people rung in the new year in Brisbane, an hour after the rest of the eastern states.
A pack of especially keen revellers who welcomed 2016 in northern NSW then crossed the border into Queensland for a second celebration.
South Australian celebrations were marred with violence after a Burton man allegedly stabbed another about 8pm on New Year's Eve.
Mild weather across the country should bring welcome relief to those who over-indulged overnight, with temperatures hovering between 18 and 30 degrees on Friday.
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