News Service from House Harris

Vic: Hundreds of thousands welcome 2009 in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Jan 1 AAP - Hundreds of thousands of Melburnians welcomed 2009 with hugs and cheers as a fireworks extravaganza lit up the sky above the Yarra River.

The weather stayed fine and mild as the final minutes of 2008 ticked by, despite predictions of a cool change overnight.

Up to 500,000 people were expected to line the Yarra for the midnight fireworks show. Fifty thousand packed Federation Square, in the heart of Melbourne, one of six live party sites on the night.

Crowds built early for a family-friendly 9.15pm (AEDT) fireworks show.

"Its a great atmosphere. It's laid back and there's lots of things (to do)," reveller Bec James said.

At midnight, a stunning pyrotechnic display lit the Yarra from the Alexandra Gardens to Docklands in the west, with fireworks streaming from the roofs of city skyscrapers and the Bolte Bridge.

Up to 40,000 revellers, all dressed in white, celebrated at Sensation, a dance party at Telstra Dome billed as one of Australia's largest New Year's Eve events.

The arena was transformed from an indoor AFL stadium to a smoky cauldron filled with lights, pounding dance grooves and a dance floor teeming with white-clad partygoers.

Revellers paid up to $210 a head to attend the $4.6 million, all-night rave and were treated to a bevy of DJs, acrobats and, for some, a sit-down meal.

A 20-metre high, illuminated tree, dubbed the Oak of Love, with twisting branches and heart-shaped leaves towered over the dancefloor.

Large contingents of police and security guards swept the main concourse outside the stadium.

Inside, paramedics, police and about 220 crowd controllers were on patrol.

For Matt Seaborn and friend Troy Baylor, it was a night to remember.

"This is the best night of my life, it's the best party ever," Mr Seaborn said.