Riverfire is turning 20

Riverfire Turning 20. Brisbane’s biggest fireworks display is returning to South Bank! On Saturday, 30 September, Sunsuper Riverfire will ignite the evening sky with a brilliant explosion of colour. There’ll also be free, family-friendly entertainment in the lead-up – read on to plan your day.

Tell us in the comments below where is your favourite location to watch the Riverfire from!

What’s on

Anzac Centenary Commemorations

While you’re waiting for the main event, make sure you head to South Bank Piazza for a host of free Anzac commemorations. Live music and performances will run from 11am-4pm, and they include important stories such as what it was like for our soldiers one hundred years ago while they prepared for the Battles of Polygon Wood and Beersheba, and the tale of the Anzacs and Australian Light Horsemen.  From 10am-4pm, kids can enjoy badge-making, write a letter of peace to our current serving Australian men and women, pat a live horse and see a real Australian Light Armoured Vehicle.

Aerial display

The Australian Defence Force will conduct an aerial display in the afternoon:

3.30pm RAAF Roulettes Display
4.30pm ARMY Helicopter Display (4 x MRH 90)
5pm RAAF C-17A Globemaster fly over
5.15pm ARMY Helicopter Display (4 x MRH 90)
5.40pm RAAF EA18G Growler display
7.05pm RAAF EA18G Growler fly over to signal start of fireworks

Fireworks

At 7pm the piece de resistance, the fireworks, begin. The fireworks run for more than 20 minutes and include a mix of rooftop and river-barge launching stations. This year also marks Riverfire’s 20th anniversary, so the soundtrack will be specially programmed to feature hits from 1998 and onwards.

Vantage points

Riverfire is famous for its array of vantage points, right across the city. If you’re heading to South Bank to see the fireworks, mark these areas on your hit list:

The Clem Jones Promenade

With prime river frontage, there is no better place to see the show than the Clem Jones Promenade. Anywhere along this pristine location will guarantee sweeping views, but it does fill up quickly (avid Riverfire fans stake out their spots during the morning and afternoon), so make sure you get there early to secure a good location. Please note that in the interests of crowd safety, erecting a sunshade tent or chairs on the Promenade is not permitted at any time of day.

Treasury Brisbane Arcadia – The Cultural Forecourt

As the hub of the Brisbane Festival with a mix of eateries and outdoor bars, Arcadia is a great place to stop and enjoy the fireworks. Just remember that due to its pop-up venues, this space will have standing room only.

Streets Beach and surrounds

It’s a pretty rare treat to be able to watch fireworks over the CBD from the water, but Streets Beach and the Boat Pool offer water babies just that! The perfect place to cool down on a warm spring day; it’s also a great way to keep the kids amused while they count down the minutes to the next plane, helicopter or fireworks. It’s also a short hop-skip-jump to the food vendors for lunch, dinner and a cool ice-cream for afternoon tea. For those who want a sit-down meal, South Bank Surf Club and Southbank Beer Garden are offering special dining packages, available for booking now.

River Quay

Easily one of South Bank’s most popular destinations, River Quay is the perfect spot for Riverfire viewing. Patrons can arrive early in the day and while the time away with a picnic, or you can book into one of the River Quay restaurants (Stokehouse Q, Popolo, River Quay Fish, Aquitaine and The Jetty South Bank) for an evening meal.

The Wheel of Brisbane

Our famous Wheel will keep turning on Riverfire night, offering you the chance to check out the show from within – private gondolas are available for hire for family and friends.

To see where all of the above locations are, check out the official South Bank map. 

Essential information

The art to enjoying a hassle-free experience involves schooling up on essential information before you attend. Read on for details on what not to bring, how to access the event and more.

Getting in and what not to bring

South Bank is open daily from 5am until midnight. On Riverfire day, the Parklands will be fenced off for safety reasons, with security conducting bag checks upon entry from 9am onwards. As part of these checks, security will be confiscating the following prohibited items: alcohol (the Parklands is entirely alcohol-free on the night, unless you’re in a designated restaurant or bar area); drink bottles with broken seals (including bottles of water or soft drink); scooters, bikes, pets, glass, marquees, and any large, portable structures. If you’re unsure about whether to bring something, call the South Bank Visitor Information and Booking Centre on 07 3156 6366 or email them at vicsouthbank@brisbanemarketing.com.au.

Eat and drink

The restaurants mentioned above offer the best views of the fireworks, but if it’s a pre or post-show drink you’re after, check out your options on our Eat + Drink page. If you’re looking for simple grab-and-go fare (such as hot chips), head to South Bank’s Central Cafes or the pop-up food stalls at the Cultural Forecourt. Patrons are also welcome to bring their own picnic food, snacks and water (in sealed bottles only) on the day.

Parking and public transport

South Bank has several car parks – check out details and pricing in our parking page. You can also park in the city and walk over (South Bank is about a 20-minute walk from the CBD) or catch public transport. For a list of road closures on the day as well as information about aquatic flag applications, head to Brisbane Festival’s website. 

Accessibility

South Bank is proud to be an accessible venue – the Parklands has disabled car parks, a beach shower and changing room with a hoist and more to ensure that everyone can enjoy their visit.

Information about river and road closures can be found here