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The best seats in the house for Sydney's party of the year aren't on the foreshore, they're on the harbour.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will open Shark, Clark and Goat Islands to a limited number of New Year's Eve revellers offering an epic view of the fireworks and celebrations.

Ticket holders will be ferried to their island to watch the fireworks displays at 9PM and midnight. These three historic islands will offer revellers a memorable experience in a superior and natural location, with each offering a different vantage point and holding a unique key in Sydney's history.

Shark Island:
Possibly the most well known of the three, Shark Island offers spectacular views down the harbour to the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. The shark-shaped island will accommodate up to 780 people on New Year's Eve, with return transfers leaving from Rose Bay Wharf.

Goat Island:
Located west of the Harbour Bridge, Goat Island was the source of sandstone for many of Sydney's finest buildings and once stored the colony's gunpowder. Offering a particularly unique Sydney experience, relics of Goat Island's convict origins remain including scratchings made in the guardhouse and a seat which was carved out by Charles Anderson, who was sentenced to be tied to the rock for two years. Up to 780 New Year's Eve tickets will go on sale for Goat Island, with transfers leaving from King Street Wharf 3.

Clark Island:
Named after First Fleet marine officer, Lieutenant Ralph Clark, this island is the smallest of the three and located to the east of the Harbour. The Lieutenant tried to cultivate a vegetable garden on this one hectare of land in 1789, but gave up on the idea when his crops were repeatedly stolen. A very limited 390 New Year's Eve tickets will go on sale for Clark Island, with transfers leaving from Circular Quay.

Those who miss out on Island tickets can take advantage of Sydney Harbour National Park foreshore sites offering free entry on New Year's Eve. For example, Bradley's Head at Mosman will be open for 5000 spectators and North Head at Manly and Nielsen Park at Vaucluse will have capacity for 2000. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends those wishing to view the fireworks from these locations arrive early to ensure entry.

All areas in the Sydney Harbour National Park are protected by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and there will be a number of restrictions on the day. These include no glass, camping, fires, BBQ's, pets, fireworks or naked flames. Facilities are limited to drinking water and toilets so BYO all food and drinks. Due to restricted vessel capacities further restrictions apply as to what can be transported to the island - hand luggage only. Please check at time of booking.

Tickets go on sale December 1 for $160 per adult and $105 for children aged 5-15 years, with kids under 5 admitted for free. To book, call NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 02 9247 5033, or visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au for more information.