AUSTRALIA Day revellers face being hit with hefty on-the-spot fines as part of a zero-tolerance police booze blitz at beaches and parks right across NSW.

Alcohol-free zones will be set up at hotspots across the state on Thursday after anti-social and violent behaviour has marred the national day in past years.

Those caught with alcohol will be fined $110. The move comes after an increasing number of councils asked police to enforce the ban to make celebrations more family friendly.

Among the prohibited areas are Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee beaches in the east, Dee Why in the north and Cronulla in the Sutherland Shire.

Beyond Sydney, alcohol-free zones will be enforced on the Central Coast and in Newcastle, and include Coffs Harbour and Lennox Head.

"Alcohol restrictions have been put in place across Sydney in response to some incidents experienced in previous years that have taken place because of excessive alcohol consumption," a police spokesman said.

Authorities denied they were being wowsers and encouraged people to celebrate the national day responsibly.

Bags will be searched at the most popular events on the Harbour to keep out would-be boozers.

"To create a welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages on Australia Day, no glass or BYO alcohol can be brought into The Rocks and Darling Harbour," a Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority spokesman said.

"There will be additional security and crowd control and in managed access areas at Darling Harbour, security guards will conduct random bag inspections."

Young mother Jessica Morris yesterday welcomed the blitz and said it made her more comfortable taking her children Tyler, 4, and Arliah, 3, to celebrations at Port Macquarie's Shelly Beach.

"It will definitely make us feel a lot safer," Ms Morris said. "There's usually people walking home drunk along the roads, which can be a bit scary."

Under the alcohol rules, police may confiscate alcohol and dispose of it without warning.

Randwick Council will keep the Australia Day Alcohol Prohibited Zone at Coogee's beachside parks and reserves from sunset on January 25 to sunrise on January 27 for the next four years.

"This proposal results from the successful implementation of an Alcohol Prohibited Zone in 2010 and 2011," a spokesman said.

A spokesman for the Australian Hotels Association said pubs and clubs will trade as normal without restrictions, and so will bottle shops and takeaway liquor outlets.

Originally published as Australia Day now a drongo-free zone