Two hours later, the huge crowds around the harbour in the Australian city of Sydney watched as seven tonnes of fireworks lit up the famous landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House to a soundtrack co-written by Australian singer Kylie Minogue.

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Sydney's summer sun has disappeared under a blanket of smoke so thick at times that iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House and the harbour bridge could not be seen from the city centre, and flights have had to be diverted to other places.

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With the Opera House to our right and the Harbour Bridge straight in front of us we were in the very heart of the city, and yet no one could see us from our darkened perch.

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This low-rise hotel under the Harbour Bridge takes a different approach to the Opera House: water level and straight ahead, giving the view added drama.

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Sydney (at the Opera House), after which we celebrated by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and drinking vast schooners of Victoria Bitters ale.

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