Australians are gearing up to watch the impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks from the comfort of their couch, sharing a BBQ with friends and family or heading to a vantage point to see a fireworks display according to a new national poll commissioned by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said over 80 per cent of Aussies are looking forward to celebrating the start of the New Year and the opportunities that lay ahead.

“For many people New Year celebrations are about spending time with our nearest and dearest, eating delicious food, making resolutions for the year ahead and watching fireworks displays,” Ms Osmond said.

“According to the survey of over 800 people by the pollster Nielsen, four in five Australians (81%) are planning to celebrate the New Year in some form or fashion.

“Staying at home to watch the fireworks (39%) is the most popular way to ring in the New Year followed by a BBQ with friends and or family (18%). One in ten Australians (11%) will attend a local fireworks display with friends and family.

The polling shows that 33 per cent of Australians will still have their Christmas tree up on New Year’s Day, with 35 per cent aiming to have the Christmas decorations packed and stowed away before the New Year.

41 per cent of people will head off for their December / January holiday before the New Year, with 13 per cent planning to hit the road on New Year’s Day.

“Between packing up the tree and setting off for the summer vacation, it will be busy time for Australians chasing the sun and some well-earned respite,” Ms Osmond said.

“Families will lead the pack for a summer vacation (40%), closely followed by couples (35%). With solo travel on the rise it is positive to see a rise in single travellers (16%) exploring Australia over this period.

“We know that 50 per cent of Australians will holiday within the country, and that popularity for our own backyard, shows the strong support for our local tourism industry, which is great news for jobs and businesses, especially in regional areas”.