A dazzling fireworks display has closed a huge day of navy celebrations on Sydney Harbour, including a whirlwind visit by Prince Harry on his first official visit to Australia.
The harbour exploded in a kaleidoscope of colour at 7.40pm (AEST) on Saturday as fireworks launched from seven illuminated warships mesmerised thousands of onlookers on the foreshore.
The show marked the end of the biggest day of the eight-day International Fleet Review, which marks 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour.
In a 30-minute extravaganza, red, gold, blue, and green crackers lit the night sky, cascaded from the Harbour bridge, and even floated on the water around a navy submarine.
The display, which used more than seven tonnes of fireworks, even featured plane-shaped fireworks specially designed for the event.
Accompanying the glittering display were huge projections on the Opera House that told the story of the RAN's 100 year history.
A soundtrack of classical, rock and high-energy electro pumped throughout the show, which also featured huge searchlights, and renditions of the Australian national anthem and the Last Post.
Keith Bowman, who camped out at Mrs Macquarie's Chair from 5am to nab a prime spot, said the show was "better than any New Year's Eve".
"The narrative that went with it was really good, really fitting, I liked the whole lot of it," the Gosford local told AAP.
Earlier, thousands jostled to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry, with the fourth-in-line to the British throne also visiting for the Fleet Review.
After being welcomed on the harbour by a 100-gun salute, Harry, dressed in a white tropical dress uniform of the British Army and a blue Army Air Corps beret, spent a few hours on board HMAS Leeuwin inspecting the warship fleet, alongside Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
The prince's appearance on the harbour coincided with a dazzling display by navy aircraft and helicopters, thrilling spectators lining the foreshore.
Back on land, Harry donned a crisp navy-coloured suit, blue tie and white shirt to make a surprise appearance at The Rocks, shaking hands and saying hello to hundreds who were hugging the barricades in an effort to see him.
From there, the prince took a boat to Kirribilli House, where he was greeted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, his wife Margie and daughters Bridget and Frances.
They posed for official photographs and walked through the gardens before greeting a crowd that had gathered at the gates of the prime minister's Sydney residence.
"What do you think of your new neighbour?" Harry asked one of the locals, referring to the newly-elected Mr Abbott.
Inside, the prime minister reflected on the special day, joking that Prince Harry appealed to even those Australians who aren't royalists.
"Prince Harry, I regret to say not every Australian is a monarchist," he said.
"But today everyone feels like a monarchist."
The prince is due to leave Sydney for Perth on Sunday morning for the next leg of his Aussie tour.
The Fleet Review runs until October 11.
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