Wild scenes erupted on the streets of Melbourne as the clock struck midnight, with millions of long-suffering residents cheering on the end of the world's longest lockdown.
Victoria officially lifted its stay-at-home orders at 11:59pm on Thursday after the beleaguered state smashed its 70 per cent Covid vaccination target late into the evening.
Revellers screamed in celebration from their apartment balconies, while car horns could be heard blaring in the background as overjoyed Melburnians got their first taste of freedom since August.
Melbourne has endured a cumulative 262 gruelling days in lockdown since the pandemic reached Australia's shores early last year - more than any other place on earth - with non-essential businesses forced to shut and millions trapped in their homes, banned from going outside after 9pm or travelling to other areas.
Now that double-jabbed residents are finally free, it mirrored a wild New Year's Eve celebration in the nation's culinary capital as party animals descended on pubs proudly flashing their vaccination status upon entry to eagerly awaiting hospitality staff, who had spent much of the day getting ready for the influx of patrons.
Overjoyed Melbourne residents savoured their first drink in a pub since August as the city's lockdown lifted (pictured)
Shake it up!: A cocktail bartender is back in action mixing drinks as the city goes wild on its first night of freedom
Wild scenes erupted on the streets of Melbourne as the clock struck midnight, with millions of long-suffering residents cheering on the end of the world's longest lockdown (pictured, mates at 3 Monkeys on the city's Chapel Street)
Cheers!: A groups of mates toast to the end of Victoria's gruelling stay-at-home orders at a Melbourne bar on Thursday
Videos flooded social media showing jubilant scenes playing out as swarms of residents descended on bars and restaurants to finally reunite with their mates at long last.
Even fast food chains like McDonald's saw staggering crowds with video showing diners lined out into the parking lot, keen to finally enjoy a late night feast after months under a tough 9pm curfew.
Some hair salons also opened their doors for those who couldn't wait a moment longer to get a much needed cut.
But while there's a major sense of relief that the worst of the coronavirus crisis is now over, it's still too early to ditch face masks which remains mandatory indoors and outdoors unless eating or drinking.
A number of other hated restrictions will also still be in place along with strict capacity limits on venues and events.
Melburnians couldn't wait any longer to catch up with their mates rushing to pubs as the clocks hit midnight (pictured at Leonard's House of Love in South Yarra)
Party animals hit the streets as the city got it's first taste of freedom since August when Melbourne's sixth lockdown was called
A hospitality workers brings a round of shots to the table as wild celebrations go long into the night in Melbourne
Premier Daniel Andrews finally agreed to lift the brutal restrictions earlier this week as the beleaguered state neared its vaccination target of 70 per cent
Some sick of their lockdown hairstyle even made a midnight trip to hair salons (pictured at the Flaunt It salon in Truganina in the city's outer west)
The good news is that the city's reviled and highly controversial 9pm curfew is now scrapped along with the dreaded 15km travel limit.
Residents can now freely move around the Metropolitan area however regional travel is still off the cards for now.
Hospitality venues like pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants are allowed to reopen for seated and outdoor service only, with a capacity limit of 20 fully-vaccinated patrons indoors and 50 outdoors.
The vaccination rate will have to surpass 80 per cent before nightclubs, dancing in venues and stand-up drinking is allowed.
General retail shops will also have to wait until the next vaccination milestone, predicted to be achieved in early November, before trading can return to normal.
From midnight non-essential stores can only operate outdoors or with click and collect services.
Entertainment venues, including cinemas and physical recreation, can go ahead with a maximum of 20 people indoors and 50 outdoor.
Personal services like hairdressers and beauty salons can get back to work with a limit of five patrons after the fashion-conscious city went without a trim for 78 straight-days.
But anyone entering any non-essential venue in the state must prove their vaccination status upon entry when they check in via QR code with the Service Victoria app.
Visitors can also show the green tick in their Medicare Express app. Those who can't prove they've had the jab will be refused entry.
Revellers are seen drinking at 3 Monkeys on Chapel Street as Melbourne opened up from lockdown at midnight (pictured)
A group of young men pose for a photo in front of the iconic Flinders Street Train Station as the lockdown lifts - meaning millions are finally allowed out late at night with the curfew scrapped
A full bar waits for cocktails as party-goers celebrate the end of Melbourne's brutal stay-at-home orders - with masks still mandatory unless eating or drinking
A massive queue is seen lining up at Leonard's House of Love in South Yarra as Melbourne opened up from lockdown at midnight
Residents can have up to 10 visitors at their homes while outdoor gathering limits will increase from 10 to 15.
Visitors to homes don't have to be fully vaccinated but is highly recommended by the state government and health officials. The same rule applies for outdoor gatherings.
Religious services, weddings and funerals will be able to take place with 50 fully-vaccinated guests outdoors and 20 indoors.
While school children from Year 3 to Year 11 will start returning to the classroom part-time.
Early childcare will also reopen for children of fully vaccinated parents.
The long awaited reopening was originally supposed to take place on October 26, but was fast-tracked by premier Andrews who praised Victorians on their 'mighty' effort rolling their sleeves.
Huge lines were scene at McDonald's at midnight with customers thrilled to dine in for a change and enjoy the first late night feast in months
There were some yawns but cooped-up Melburnians couldn't wait any longer to hit the town as they lined up at Leonard's House of Love in South Yarra
Salons can now open to a maximum of five fully-vaccinated customers, with some even booking in for midnight appointments
