Tourists spark bizarre debate as Aussie creatures spotted at NYE celebrations
It's one of the most iconic events hosted by the city every year and over 225,000 people waited along the foreshores of Sydney Harbour to catch a glimpse of the world famous fireworks on Sunday night.
However one British couple who eagerly awaited the stroke of midnight managed to stand out from the crowd – sparking a bizarre debate about the identity of some Australian critters who joined the hordes of revellers. The pair posted a video online which was soon mocked by Aussies due to the tourists seemingly mistaking what was above their heads.
Debate over Aussie tree critters at NYE celebrations
Couple Gabby and Charlie appeared to have a clear view of the Harbour Bridge as it shone brightly from their position in the Royal Botanical Garden. As the pair waited, they spotted movement in the trees and quickly got their camera out to capture it.
"Rats in the trees at Botanical Gardens while waiting for New Year's Eve fireworks," they wrote, with the footage catching the dark shadow of an animal scurrying along branches.
The video was quickly inundated with Australian users on TikTok calling the couple out for their alleged mistake, calling it "embarrassing" they thought the animal was a rat when many believed it was a possum.
"That's a bloody possum," one said. "Probably baby possums," another agreed.
As plenty of Aussies sought to correct the couple, the expats acknowledged they may have made a mistake but others soon flocked to their defence.
"Why is everyone in here insisting it’s a possum? Kinda embarrassing so many Aussies don’t know what our animals look like," one person commented. Another believed it was more likely to be a rat since the city is "infested" with them. "They’re everywhere if you look hard enough," a third person chimed in.
Crowds praised by police as 'vast majority' behaved themselves
More than 225,000 people spent the evening packed around the Sydney Harbour foreshore with some camping out for many hours in order to establish the best vantage point. Videos posted online showed throngs of people battling to leave in the early hours of the morning as revellers tried to funnel onto public transport.
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NSW Police patrolled the foreshore areas throughout the day and late into the early hours of Monday morning and told Yahoo News Australia that 19 arrests were made in association with the event, including assault and drug offences, yet overall they were pleased with how the event unfolded.
Authorities are also investigating the alleged stabbing of three men in Woolloomooloo just after midnight.
"Every year Sydney welcomes the New Year with an extraordinary celebration across the city, and this year has been no different," Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said. "Pleasingly the vast majority did so in the right spirit."
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