It may be controversial but Canberra Airport's curfew-free status is attracting some of Hollywood's biggest stars to the capital - albeit only as a launchpad to some serious New Year's partying elsewhere.
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A slew of celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx, flew into Sydney on Friday reportedly as part of their plan to welcome in the new year in the city before catching light planes to Canberra Airport, then boarding a private jet to Las Vegas for a second tilt at revelry.
A Canberra Airport spokeswoman confirmed on Friday that a group of celebrities would be flying out of Australia from the national capital, because it was the only curfew-free airport between Brisbane and Melbourne capable of hosting 747 jets.
''They'll be coming into Canberra on light planes, which are allowed to fly out of Sydney, then they'll get on their big jet in Canberra and fly off to their next destination,'' she said.
Private jet owners used Canberra Airport from time to time, the spokeswoman said.
''They just have to lodge a flight plan, same as anybody else, and all of that's taken care of by air services.''
The celebrity pack also included Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford, DJ Samantha Ronson, Glee star Matthew Morrison and Arrow actor Colton Haynes, who are all appearing as celebrity guests at Marquee nightclub at the Star casino on Monday night.
Grammy nominated DJ Dirty South is also on the bill at the nightclub, which covers the complex's entire top tier.
While a spokeswoman for the casino would only confirm the stars arriving for the official line-up at Marquee, insiders say DiCaprio arrived on a private Boeing 747 jet with Ronson, Lindsay Lohan's ex-girlfriend, and 15 other people.
The duo were greeted and whisked away by cars from the casino.
They were then driven into a
private underground entrance in the casino, where onlookers say they enjoyed themselves by the pool all day ahead of Ronson's set at the DJ deck on Friday night.
DiCaprio forged a relationship with Echo Entertainment, parent company at the Star's boutique hotel The Darling, during filming of the Baz Luhrmann film The Great Gatsby and was a frequent guest at the many bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
He was tipped to be having dinner at Icebergs followed by drinks at the Double Bay bar Pelicano on Friday night.
Oscar winner Foxx, who is co-starring with DiCaprio in the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained, yet to be released here, flew in with his wife and daughter, Annalise, and proceeded to push his own luggage through the airport in very un-star like fashion.
Meanwhile, Canberrans looking to see in the new year with a bang can catch two fireworks displays in Civic, the first at the family-friendly hour of 9pm, the second at midnight.
Headline act Diesel will take the stage at 8.30pm, followed by the Bass in the Place dance party in Garema Place, with DJ Rawson and Timmy Trumpet.
