It's party time as Australia greets iPhone (photos)

It was party time in Australia with confetti, concerts, clubs, and caterers to help those pass the time instead of just waiting in long lines for their chance to get one of the first iPhone 4s. In Sydney more than 600 people braved the winter wind and rain, and warnings of 10 hour waits, to be among the first to get their hands on a new iPhone 4. Fans were apparently unfazed by 'Antennagate.'

ZDNet Australia bloggers Ty Pendlebury and Joseph Hanlon reported from one of the bigger stores.

Credit: ZDNet Australia

For this launch, retailer Optus spared no expense, hosting a free concert by former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland. Since the concert was in another part of town, Optus gave those in line a placeholder and took them to the concert.

One of the most popular cooking shows in Australia, MasterChef Australia held a challenge with those in line as the food testers. Here, the head of the line watches a contestant on a big screen.

MasterChef's Courtney Roulston dashes past with a fresh batch of finger food for the hungry line.

Vodafone and Mobile 3 customers were given numbered wristbands to hold their place in line while they were taken to the Ivy nightclub in Sydney.

While some partied, others braved it out at Optus.

Optus employees dressed up as either a monkey or banana and handed out forms to those in line to help speed up the process.

Optus staff looks tense as they await the midnight rush.

The countdown approaches 0.

Hallelujah.

Sam Dunster, the first person in line at the Telstra George St store, clutches his brand new Apple iPhone 4.