A bumper crowd of several thousand enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere on Hobart’s waterfront for the 9.30pm fireworks display, with numbers swelling later in the night for the midnight spectacular

The River Derwent was awash with boats enjoying the balmy evening and every pier was crowded with people enjoying the last night of the year.

Tasmania Police were kept busy with call-outs from early in the evening but waterfront crowds were generally well-behaved leading up to midnight, police said.

But Sergeant Renee Stewart said police were disappointed with the number of boaties who set off flares around the state at 9.30pm to coincide with the first fireworks session.

“Sadly police resources were taken up investigating distress flares,’’ she said.

The Taste of Tasmania’s New Year Eve’s party was a hit with a long queue of last-minute partygoers lining up for tickets to the event headlined by Aussie songstress Kate Ceberano.

The capacity crowd of about 5000 had one of the best views of the 9.30pm and midnight fireworks.

Hundreds of children danced to disco music at The Taste’s Kids in the Park NYE disco and capped off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display at 9.30pm.

The newly refurbished waterfront was also a hit with partygoers.

Sailor Ben Davidson said he was “very impressed” with the new boulevard while celebrating with crew and family on board First Light after sailing in the Launceston to Hobart yacht race.

There were no fireworks at the waterfront New Year’s Eve gig lighting up GASP’s Wilkinsons Point Pavillion. But the ghostly phosphorescence InLight performance by Finnish artist Petri Saarikko and grand piano performance by jazz pianist Chris Abrahams more than made up for it.

Some of the state’s wallabies, echidnas and a Tasmanian devil played a part when footage of the animals from Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary was beamed onto the giant Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons in front of millions of people as part of Sydney’s New Year celebrations.

Christmas and New Year accommodation in Hobart has been fully booked since Christmas.

Rooms are booking out fast right through to February when the 2017 Wooden Boat Festival comes to Hobart.

Premier Will Hodgman said there was much for Tasmanians to be positive about in 2017.

Mr Hodgman said the state had been challenged by “massive fires, devastating floods and an unprecedented energy crisis in 2016.”

“But we got through these challenges together, making our community stronger,’’ he said.

“Hospital waiting lists are at their lowest on record, and our plan to give Tasmania’s their best shot in life, through education, is delivering results.

“Tasmania is the best place on earth to live, work and raise a family in. I want Tasmanians to feel even more optimistic about the future and our place in the world.”

The foreshadowed price increase by Uber became apparent from 5.30pm when a $10 fare was quoted between $29 to $37 and rose to $40 at 7pm.

Originally published as Here’s to 2017!