The display of 14 tonnes of explosives - Melbourne's biggest yet, even surpassing Sydney's famed fireworks - is expected to attract up to half a million people into the city.

"We're trying to design a show that people don't [have to] come into the CBD [to see]," head pyrotechnician Rusty Johnson said on Saturday.

"To ideally get the best view of the show, stay out of the CBD.

"Whereever you can see that city skyline, you'll have a fantastic view of the fireworks."

Mr Johnson said this message was the same as previous years and was to prevent crushing.

Melbourne acting lord mayor Arron Wood also suggested revellers watch the show from afar.

"You don't need to come into the city to get a view of the midnight fireworks display," he said.

Mr Wood said the City of Melbourne had increased security for the $2.8 million celebrations.

He said bollards, reinforced planter boxes and street furniture were in place in the Bourke Street Mall and work was underway for similar barriers at eight other high-priority sites.

Police say they have no evidence of an immediate terror threat but have urged Victorians to remain alert.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said on Friday major CBD thoroughfares would be shut down and a record number of police would be on patrol.

Premier Daniel Andrews asked Victorians to be undaunted by recent events, including last week's Flinders Street tragedy and the arrest of a man in November over a New Year's Eve terror plot.

"We won't be defined by these tragedies, as impactful as they are, as much as they hurt," Mr Andrews said.

A bursting bouquet of bungers

The fireworks - an exploding bouquet of flowers from peonies to dahlias and chrysanthemums - will ignite from 22 city rooftops in a 10-minute spectacular.

The show will be synchronised to music by pop duo Client Liaison, broadcast live on FM 99.7."You'll start to see those flower style effects in the skies from midnight," Mr Johnson said.

"We're looking forward to a phenomenal show. The weather's looking good, it's all green lights."

At half a tonne more than last year, it will be Melbourne's biggest firework show yet, and we even have bragging rights over the size of Sydney's, Mr Johnson said.

"We've got a higher tonnage because we have so many [more] firing sites [than Sydney's]," he said.

"We're the only city in the world that covers seven square kilometres." Those coming into the CBD have been asked to go to Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, Docklands or Kings Domain where there will be live music, food trucks and toilets from 9pm to 1am.

More than 100,000 people are expected at the eight-minute show at Yarra Park, near the MCG, for the 9.30pm children's fireworks session.

The City of Melbourne is spending $2.8 million on its New Year's Eve celebrations, the overwhelming majority of which will cover entertainment, logistics and security.

The pyrotechnical display costs $500,000, including $200,000 spent on the fireworks themselves.

In Sydney, eight tonnes of fireworks will set off from the Harbour Bridge in the city's biggest pyrotechnic show on record.

The skyline will light up with a special display of gold and silver fireworks co-designed by Hugh Jackman, set to the music of renowned indigenous musician Dr G Yunupingu.

The Sydney show will feature 28,000 fireworks shot from 175 firing points - 3000 more than previous years - as well as 13,000 shells and 30,000 shooting comets, at a cost of $7 million.

In a nod to Australia's 'yes' vote for marriage equality, a cascading rainbow will pour down from the bridge.

with AAP