A-listers dust off hangovers to party into the New Year - Sydney Morning Herald

ANDREW HORNERY January 01, 2013

Star turn ... Kylie Minogue at Lord Mayor Clover Moore's elegant party at the Opera House. Photo: Scott Weston

As the northern hemisphere rang in the new year with a shiver, Sydney's biggest annual party continued on Tuesday at a series of extravagant events attracting celebrities, the beautiful people and wannabes.

Celebrity revellers Leonardo Di Caprio, Jamie Foxx and DJ Samantha Ronson flew out of Canberra airport after partying hard at The Star casino.

They are understood to be en route to Las Vegas, where their international New Year Tour Of Duty will kick off in just a few hours' time.

As the sore heads rise from pillows on Tuesday, there are two parties on everyone's lips: Bondi Icebergs and newcomer Catalina at Rose Bay.

The usual assortment of celebrities, many home for the holidays, are due at Icebergs, which has traditionally been the way the glamour set welcomes the New Year, celebrating high above the crashing surf.

Kylie Minogue has been tipped to appear, fresh from her star turn at Lord Mayor Clover Moore's elegant party at the Opera House.

The pop siren had the official duty of pressing a giant red button to launch the midnight fireworks display.

She said she was "overwhelmed" to be in Sydney for the party, and brought a large entourage with her, including Spanish model boyfriend Andres Velencoso.

Minogue's brother, Brendan, and his family, including his two sons, were also at the party, along with long-time promoter Michael Gudinski.

Minogue spent much of the night looking after her young nephews, who, she enthused, "are pretty excited to see their first fireworks display. It really is pretty amazing, and not just for them either, for me, too."

But this year Icebergs has some serious competition from Rose Bay's Catalina, which is hosting a celebrity-laden party hosted by former Sneaky Sound System performer Daimon Downey and Tim Holmes a Court, who are also partners in the Double Bay bar Pelicano.

Among their guests will be Laura Csortan and Silverchair's Chris Joannou.