Cities and towns around Australia are putting the finishing touches on their New Year's Eve plans, with both wild celebrations and wild weather looking likely.
Sydney's New Year's Eve festivities will feature a tribute to the late queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.
Drawing on this year's theme, The Pulse of Sydney, the fireworks display will pulsate in gold, silver and purple to '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman', made famous by Franklin, who died in August this year.
"New Year's Eve is a perfect time to reflect on the year that's been and it's an opportunity to honour artists that have passed such as the much loved Aretha Franklin," City of Sydney spokeswoman Anna McInerney told reporters on Friday.
There will be an extra 1000 effects coming off the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the 9pm and midnight firework spectaculars, including heart-shaped fireworks and a smiley-face.
Last year's Sydney fireworks. Source: Getty
A Briggs special
While in Melbourne, 14 tonnes of fireworks worth $234,000 will be set off from the ground and atop 22 buildings, spread over a seven-kilometre radius.
Design work started in March for the 10-minute sound and light show, set to a soundtrack by Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs.
This year's special effects include flying dragons, swirling across the sky - and the personal favourite of display manager Rusty Johnson, the spider shells with their eight distinctive legs weaving a web over the city.
Briggs performs at the ARIA Awards. Source: AAP
Premier Daniel Andrews had a simple message for partygoers on Friday.
"Celebrate with family and friends, but celebrate with common sense as well," he said.
"Look out for each other, make sure that you are doing the right thing because Victoria Police will be out in force."
Security is the biggest expense for the night, which costs the city a total of $3.4 million.
3,2,1, cyclone
Queenslanders will welcome 2019 with spectacular fireworks and light shows across the southeast while in the far north revellers could be dancing in the rain with a possible cyclone developing.
More than 85,000 people are expected in Brisbane's South Bank precinct to see the city skyline light up with fireworks from five barges between the Victoria and Goodwill bridges, played to a soundtrack of 2018's most popular hits.
Revellers on the Gold Coast will enjoy fireworks along the length of the coast with the biggest displays at Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise at 8pm and midnight.
The City of Perth's New Year's blog post details events around the region, including the city's own event in Northbridge, with fireworks at both 9pm and midnight.
Free and frequent public transport will be offered in Perth after midnight.
It is the first time since 2004 that public transport has been offered for free after Police Commissioner Chris Dawson approached the police and transport ministers with the idea.
Festivities in Adelaide will be focused in Elder Park and along the Adelaide Riverbank.
"The atmosphere at Elder Park will be electric, with entertainment to suit the young and young at heart," material from the City of Adelaide says.
Technicians pack fireworks in preparation for Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations. Source: AAP
Wild weather
Between heatwaves and possible floods, fires and cyclones, there's little good news in the national weather forecast for the final days of 2018.
The mixed bag of predictions is set to see temperatures soar well above average and rainfall records continue to tumble.
December monthly rainfall records have already been shattered in the far north, but more "significant falls" are expected in coming days, prompting a major flood warning for the Daintree River and flood watches for the Mossman, Mulgrave and Russell rivers.
A young woman tries to cool down in an Australian heatwave. Source: AAP
Much of southern Australia can expect temperatures 10-14C higher than usual for this time of year, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts.
Extreme temperatures sweeping across Victoria could keep emergency services on their toes.
As such, paramedics are also reminding revellers to stay hydrated in hot weather.
Caring for pets
The RSPCA has once again warned pet owners to take special precautions to ensure their pets are safe, with firework displays creating havoc amongst the animal population.
In previous years, frightened pets have sometimes been found kilometres from home.
"It's likely that scores of animals will end up at our shelters or council pounds," said RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty.
"Despite the warnings, many people still don't seem to understand the devastating effect fireworks can have on some animals. Often they will panic and end up on the road where of course they run the risk of being hit by cars."
- Additional reporting: Nick Baker
