Sydney, Jan.2nd -- A giant all-seeing eye shone over Sydney's New Year Eve as more than 1.6 million people gathered around the harbour to welcome in 2014, and many millions more tuned in to screens across the globe.

The 72-metre-wide illumination, designed by Reg Mombassa, NYE13 Creative Ambassador, formed the centrepiece of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect and was twice as big as in previous years. New technology allowed organisers to place an eyelid made from LED tubes around the effect so the eye could blink.

Special fireworks also launched from four sails of Sydney Opera House to mark its 40th anniversary.

"It was wonderful to see that modern technology has managed to turn my little pencil drawings into those enormous mutating graphic effects on the Sydney Harbour Bridge," Mombassa said.

"The fireworks were dazzling and the addition of Sydney Opera House as a launch site added to the spectacle. As usual, Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti and his crew have done a great job."

"As one of the first major cities to welcome in 2014, images from last night's two fireworks displays have already been shared around the world on social and traditional media, showcasing our magnificent harbour and encouraging even more people to visit and celebrate in Sydney,"Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said.