Gosford New Year’s Eve 2015: Fireworks Celebrations Captured by Drone
Were you one of the 40,000+ people on the Central Coast celebrating New Year’s Eve in 2015? If you were at Gosford Waterfront, you may have looked up and noticed one of our SkyMedia drones soaring above the crowd, capturing the celebrations from a unique aerial perspective.
It was a privilege to be commissioned by Gosford Council as the official aerial videographers for the New Year’s Eve fireworks display — a spectacular celebration of community, music, and light.
Our team was thrilled to be involved, and we’re proud to share the final video that tells the story of an unforgettable night in Gosford.
The Atmosphere: A Night to Remember on the Waterfront
New Year’s Eve 2015 was one for the books. Gosford was alive with colour, music, movement, and celebration. The night kicked off with the Central Coast Mariners taking on Wellington Phoenix at Central Coast Stadium – a brilliant way to start the evening with community pride and sporting energy.
Surrounding the stadium, the Central Coast Leagues Club Field became the heart of the festivities. Live music filled the air, local food stalls dished out everything from woodfired pizzas to street tacos, and families gathered on picnic blankets in anticipation of the fireworks to come.
SkyMedia was there to document it all – not just the fireworks, but the atmosphere of the night, the vibrancy of the crowd, and the joyful chaos of ringing in a new year together.
Multiple Shoots, One Crew: The Pressure of Live Events
SkyMedia was in huge demand on the night, with a tight filming schedule across multiple locations and events. After setting up for the fireworks shoot, we were also booked to capture the headline act — the incredible INXS tribute band, Live Baby Live!
The band delivered an energetic and crowd-pleasing performance, and we had to ensure our team captured both wide aerial shots of the crowd and tight details of the band on stage. Getting that kind of coverage from the air requires precision, timing, and expert piloting – all while managing battery swaps, flight approvals, and crowd density restrictions.
Once we’d wrapped coverage of the concert, we quickly packed up and made our way across town to set up for the main event of the night.
Filming the Fireworks from the Water
Time was tight, but thanks to The Coast Bar & Restaurant (formerly Iguana Joe’s), we were able to secure a safe and effective launch point for our drone. The team at Coast Bar kindly granted us access to film from their wharf, which provided a stable platform for take-off and landing – safely distanced from the crowds gathering along the waterfront.
This kind of planning is critical. When filming drone footage at a large-scale public event, especially at night, safety is paramount. We always select take-off and landing zones that are:
- Away from pedestrian traffic
- Protected from wind or water hazards
- Able to comply with CASA regulations for night flying over or near populous areas
- Cleared with the local council or event organiser
By launching from the wharf, we were able to gain optimal positioning to film the fireworks in all their glory – with the bonus of water reflections and a sweeping view of the stadium behind.
Technical Setup and Flight Prep
With only a few minutes to spare before the fireworks began at 9:15pm, we conducted our final checks:
- Confirmed GPS lock and compass calibration
- Checked wind conditions and safety perimeters
- Reviewed battery health and flight plan
- Aligned camera exposure for low-light filming
- Notified our ground spotters and support crew
Then – with everything in place – we launched.
The fireworks launched from a barge just offshore, and this year’s display was slightly further south than previous years, which allowed us to capture a truly unique composition. In the final footage, you can see the fireworks exploding overhead with:
- The stadium glowing in the background
- The city lights of Gosford twinkling in the distance
- The fairground and food trucks below
- And best of all, the fireworks and lights reflected perfectly in the water
It’s always a challenge to get the balance right when filming fireworks — exposure, movement, and stability all have to work together — but we’re genuinely pleased with how it turned out.
Night Flying: Why Our CASA Night Rating Matters
With our CASA night rating, SkyMedia is fully authorised to operate drones after dark. That’s not something most operators can offer.
Night operations require:
- Additional safety assessments
- Visual observers and lighting requirements
- CASA-approved procedures and equipment
- Enhanced visibility planning for both aircraft and people
We’ve been commissioned to film several large fireworks events across Australia, and each one comes with its own challenges. From shifting winds to crowd proximity, from last-minute changes to weather — there’s a lot that can go wrong. But when everything comes together? There’s nothing quite like the excitement of capturing a live event like this from the sky.
Why Aerial Fireworks Footage Matters
Drone footage doesn’t just give you a prettier angle. It creates emotion and scale.
From the air, you see the size of the crowd, the layout of the waterfront, the symmetry of the firework bursts, and the joyful energy of the city all at once. It gives the viewer perspective — and makes them feel part of something bigger.
For councils, event organisers, and tourism boards, that’s gold. It turns a local celebration into a marketing asset you can use to promote the region all year round.
Our Gosford drone fireworks video has since been used across multiple campaigns, featured in media, and shared widely online.
Planning a Major Event? Let’s Talk
SkyMedia Productions specialises in:
- Drone cinematography for events
- CASA-approved night operations
- Full-scale video production (editing, colour grading, music, delivery)
- On-ground crew and aerial coordination
- Multi-location coverage for complex events
If you’re planning a fireworks show, stadium event, or city celebration, we’re ready to help you capture it professionally — and safely.
Contact us today to discuss how we can turn your next event into an unforgettable aerial story.
