Even if you’re a real people person and love a good night out in the midst of the action, there can be something extra overwhelming about New Year’s Eve crowds. As many as half a million people will pack the shoreline in Sydney to see the fireworks, 600,000 flock to the Yarra River in Melbourne, and it’s a similar story throughout the country.

Don’t put yourself through it this year. Instead, try one of these awesome ways to ring in 2018 without having to spend the night with your elbows out!

Go camping

 There are few better places in the world to go camping than in Australia at New Year’s. From beaches to mountains, we’ve got a world of gorgeous landscapes right on our doorstep, and considering we’re actually a fair dinkum large country, there aren’t too many crowds when you head out of the city to pitch a tent.

Pack up a meal and plenty of your favourite snacks and get some friends together for a night out under the stars.

Host a games night and potluck at home

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and the madness this year, it’s pretty likely a few of your friends are, too. Put the word out that you’ll be hosting a pot luck games night at home, and get everyone to bring along a delicious dish and their favourite board game (or that new one you haven’t tried out yet).

It’s cheap, easy, and a surefire way to have a great night with old friends you almost certainly don’t see as often as you’d like.

Book a stay in a country inn

Do you know what can just about always guarantee a good night? One of those small town country inns where the meals are too big to finish, the beams are old wood (and not in a hipster way), and everyone knows the barman by name.

Book a room in an inn where you can spend the night eating and enjoying a few actually-affordable drinks in the cosy pub downstairs, then turn in for the night upstairs without having to fight for an overpriced taxi to get home.

(Better yet, you don’t have to go far for a delicious greasy breakfast in the morning.)

Go on a New Year’s Eve cruise

If you’ve always wanted to try out a cruise, this is your moment. A New Year’s Eve cruise can either be a short jaunt around the harbour with dinner, drinks, and a front-row seat to your city’s fireworks, or it can be a longer trip of two or three days. The longer trips will typically take you out of the city, throw on a grand party for the night itself, and perhaps stop off at a relaxing beach somewhere for a day of relaxation before returning to your home port. Even longer trips are more like a traditional cruise (a week in length or longer) with a New Year’s Eve party on board thrown in.

There are plenty of options out there in both categories, and all of them offer a good way to escape the crowds and still enjoy a good night ‘out’.

Go to a ticketed event

Many major hotels and bars around Australia will host private parties this New Year’s. Your ticket entry price usually includes a drink and a few nibbles, but the real benefit is that only a limited number of tickets are actually sold – so you would be vying for elbow space the whole night.

Plus, once you’re in, you’re in, so you won’t need to worry about that one friend in the group insisting you go try out another bar (and wait in line 45 minutes for the privilege).

Host a murder mystery night

Yes, these things exist, and no, they’re no where near as tacky as they sound (ok, they’re a little bit cheesy, but it’s the fun kind).

You can buy a themed murder mystery pack online or in some party stores around Australia. You’ll be given character roles you need to fill, packs for each person, and a timeline to follow. These kits are super organised so you don’t have to be, and it’s a good way to ensure you talk to everyone in the room during the evening.

It’s a little different and a lot of fun, and you can orchestrate the whole thing to discover the murderer right on midnight for extra drama.

Get out of the city

Just because the major city events will be packed out with half the population of New Zealand, doesn’t mean you can’t go to a public celebration. Instead, look up what’s going on in suburbs and areas outside of the city.

For example, Panthers Penrith are hosting a free celebration at The Backyard with fireworks at midnight, so Sydneysiders can head out for the evening for a good party without the claustrophobia. Melburnians can make their way to a free fireworks show on the waterfront at midnight as well.

While there will no doubt still be some crowds, it won’t be anywhere near as manic as the major cities.

Host a kids party

Are you ready to become the favourite friend/family member of everyone you know?

Host a kids party for the evening to let the young ones in your social circles enjoy the night as much as their 18+ parents and family members. You can go all out with balloons, mocktails, sparklers (fireworks are a big no no), streamers, and a countdown at ‘midnight’ (it’s up to you if you just set the clocks forward a couple of hours).

You might be surprised at how much fun it will be for you, and you’re guaranteed all brownie points for babysitting for the evening. You’ll no doubt get help from a couple of the parents as well, so you’ll still be able to enjoy the occasional conservation that doesn’t revolve around Frozen.