Here's how we celebrated New Year's Eve and welcomed 2018 around Australia.

We did it: the clock’s ticked over to 2018 and Australia has celebrated in colourful, explosive style.

Sydney did what it does best with a dazzling pyrotechnics display in front of the estimated crowd of one million, who watched from vantage points around the harbour.

A massive cheer went up as the first thunderous blast of a 12-minute display rattled the harbour.

Some eight tonnes of fireworks produced 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects as the sky exploded in a riot of colour and light, with the centrepiece a rainbow tribute to the nation's historic same sex marriage vote and the upcoming 40th anniversary of Mardi Gras.

Among the crowds were same-sex couples, still basking in the recent victory of the 'yes' vote.

Alex Parkes, who watched the fireworks with his partner, said the tribute had made him feel part of a greater community.

"I think it's a beautiful reminder of the progress achieved this year and exactly how far we've come," he told AAP.

LISTEN: We take a look back at the very long road that led to Australia finally legalising marriage equality.

For the first time, there was a countdown to midnight, with fireworks forming the numerals 10 to one on the Harbour Bridge.

The word "Sydney" then spread across the arch before a multi-coloured waterfall of fireworks cascaded down from the world famous structure.

In Sydney, all harbour vantage points were full two hours before the 9 pm family fireworks lit up the harbour, building excitement for the $7 million extravaganza.

British holidaymaker, William Capstick, made sure his timing in Australia lined up with New Year's Eve so he could see the fireworks.

"It was amazing to see the harbour that way - the bridge and Opera House are so well known so it's so insane to see it like that," he told AAP.

He said the size of the crowd was something he didn't foresee but said it was handled much better than his own capital city's New Year's Eve celebrations.

"The city, right now, is packed as - but the police are moving everyone through quite well," he said.

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"Better than London - by far."

In Melbourne, thousands were undeterred by security fears despite the celebrations coming 10 days after a fatal vehicle attack near Flinders Street Station as revellers partied in 2018 underneath a spectacular 14-tonne fireworks show across the city.

A threat of thunderstorms had threatened to dampen New Year's Eve celebrations in Brisbane but the city dodged the worst of the severe weather that hit other areas.

Revellers on the city's foreshores enjoyed two stunning pyrotechnic displays at 8.30 pm and midnight.

With one night left of 2017, you better start thinking about where you’re going to watch the fireworks from! According to Brisbane Deputy Mayor, 85,000 people are expected to join in the celebrations at South Bank Parklands alone, with fireworks shows also at Eagle Street Pier and Portside. There will be shows at 8:30pm and midnight at all three locations. The recommended vantage points to enjoy this years show are the Clem Jones Promenade, Streets Beach, River Quay Kangaroo Point cliffs, or along the riverfront at Eagle Street and Portside Wharf. Pick your spot wisely, and have a fantastic night to end your 2017! ???? @adrian_wedderburn #mybrisbane

A post shared by Brisbane (@brisbane) on Dec 30, 2017 at 12:30am PST

Partygoers in Ipswich weren't so lucky, with celebrations cancelled because of the weather.

In Adelaide, revellers in Glenelg and the CBD were treated to fireworks displays at 9pm and midnight.

Happy new year from Australia ???????? 新年快乐????????????️new year and new start #fairworks ????#烟花#happynewyear2018 #新年快乐 #australia #adelaide #glenelgbeach

A post shared by yan (@yielyanyan) on Dec 31, 2017 at 9:20am PST

But the night wasn't completely without mishap - two pyrotechnicians were forced to jump off a fireworks barge on the NSW Central Coast and suffered minor injuries after a NYE display went horribly wrong.

Crowds were evacuated from the Terrigal beach after the barge caught fire just minutes into the New Year's Eve fireworks show shortly after 9pm on Sunday.