Australia prepares to welcome 2012

Australians hit by a year of natural disasters and economic uncertainty will be invited to dream of the future when the harbour city hosts the world's largest New Year's Eve fireworks display.

An estimated 2.6 million Aussies and one billion people around the world are expected to watch as the sky above Sydney Harbour lights up with seven tonnes of colourful explosives in two sets of fireworks displays.

In Sydney alone, 1.5 million revellers will crowd around the harbour foreshore as a simple theme ushers in 2012: Time To Dream.

The sounds of Darwin songbird Jessica Mauboy's R'n'B hit Inescapable will entertain families at 9pm when the first round of fireworks will be launched.

The midnight fireworks display will for the first time be accompanied by an all-Australian soundtrack, including indigenous musician Gurrumul Yunupingu.

In a nod to Australia's multicultural mix, the Harbour Bridge pylons will say "Welcome to Sydney" in 16 languages, including the tongue of the indigenous Gadigal people, the traditional owners of the land around central Sydney.

A four-hued "endless rainbow" will then adorn the bridge as part of the Time To Dream logo.

In Melbourne, the city's skyline will shimmer in gold as the city rings in 2012.

As part of the $2.6 million celebrations, the city's landmark buildings will play a key role and the theme of gold will be used to hark back to the gold rush era that spawned their creation.

The festivities, which involve setting off almost 10 tonnes of fireworks, will culminate in a midnight explosion of golden fireworks from 17 city locations.

Half a million revellers are expected to pack Melbourne's CBD for the balmy party as the temperature hits a forecast 32C.

In Perth, more than 3000 people are expected to attend New Year's Eve on the foreshore, with the mercury expected to hit 30C.

Local councils are putting on their own free events, including the cities of Mandurah and Rockingham, which are using their foreshores to provide family entertainment.

Mandurah will have two sets of fireworks displays at 9pm and midnight, while Rockingham will have a concert headlined by Mental As Anything.

In Canberra's Civic Square, former Cold Chisel frontman Ian Moss will belt out some well-known Australian ballads, with a 15-minute fireworks display marking the start of 2012.

With the weather bureau predicting morning showers for Sydney, now is the time to dream for clear skies.

Southeast Queenslanders who head out to celebrate New Year's Eve will be able to access free public transport until dawn.