Aussies rise after blockbuster New Year's

Bleary-eyed revellers across Australia are waking up to 2016 after again proving beyond any doubt why the country is world-famous for its new year celebrations.

More than 1.6 million Sydneysiders burst into rapturous cheers and applause when a spectacular midnight fireworks show exploded against an iconic backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

For many partygoers standing in awe of the extravagant 15-minute display, catching a glimpse of the pyrotechnic show was the realisation of life-long dreams.

Melbourne welcomed 2016 with its biggest fireworks display yet, sending nearly 10 tonnes of fireworks into the sky at midnight in a rooftop display.

More than 100,000 people rung in the new year in Brisbane, an hour after the rest of the eastern states.

A pack of especially keen revellers who welcomed 2016 in northern NSW then crossed the border into Queensland for a second celebration.

South Australian celebrations were marred with violence after a Burton man allegedly stabbed another about 8pm on New Year's Eve.

Mild weather across the country should bring welcome relief to those who over-indulged overnight, with temperatures hovering between 18 and 30 degrees on Friday.