Riverfire 2022 mega guide: Everything you need to know
The rain has cleared and Riverfire is ready to light up Brisbane’s skies. Here’s a full list of all you need to know to get the best viewing experience, including a full rundown of the event times, the prime viewing spots, and how to get there.
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The most lethal jet fighter in the world will make a grand return to Brisbane’s iconic Riverfire within hours after a two-year break from the cityscape airshow.
Riverfire is set to explode across the city’s skyline, opening the three-week Brisbane Festival for the first time.
Fireworks start at 7pm sharp on Saturday but prior to that there are plenty of awesome food and drink offers floating around the riverbank.
Attendees can choose to wine and dine at some of Brisbane’s most elite eateries or dust off the picnic blanket and snuggle up at one of our listed top spots for viewing the fireworks.
With 15 firing locations and over 11 tonnes of fireworks, it will be hard to miss this years’ pyrotechnics display.
Parking will be tight, and road closures plentiful, so make sure to plan ahead.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading to Riverfire 2022.
FULL PROGRAM AND FIREWORKS TIMES
Thursday, September 1
12:50pm Army Aviation Helicopters Rehearsals
Comprised of four Army Helicopters from the School of Army Aviation (Oakey), two MRH-90 Taipan Battlefield Mobility helicopters and 2x EC655 Eurocopter Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter
Friday, September 2
12:00pm F/A-18F Super Hornet Rehearsals
Saturday, September 3
10am-3pm On ground displays at South Bank including vehicles, EDD/Attack dogs and RAAF equipment display
12-2:30pm Performance by Navy Band from HMAS Moreton Bulimba at South Bank
5:20pm F/A-18F Super Hornet flyovers
5:30pm Army Aviation display
7:05-7:25pm Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust fireworks display
BEST VIEWING SPOTS
South Bank Parklands;
River Terrace, Kangaroo Point;
Service Road, below Kangaroo Point Cliffs;
Captain Burke Park, Holman Street, Kangaroo Point;
Wilsons Outlook, Bowen Terrace, Fortitude Valley;
BOQ Festival Gardens South Bank or City Botanic Gardens
Eagle Street Pier or Riverside Centre
Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drink from on-site suppliers.
No glass allowed – only cans or plastic.
South Bank is alcohol free.
No pets allowed. No bikes or scooters allowed.
GRAB A BITE OR A GLASS
The Pavilion Bar and the Piazza Bar at Riverfire
Southbank
Delectable eats by The Charming Squire, Felons Brewing Company
Monday 15 August – Friday 2 September from 7am to 6pm
Friday 2 September – Sunday 25 September *except Mondays Tuesday – Thursday & Sundays events will conclude by 10pm Friday – Saturday events will conclude by midnight
BOQ Festival Garden
South Bank
Monday 15 August – Friday 2 September from 7am to 6pm
Friday 2 September – Sunday 25 September *except Mondays Tuesday – Thursday & Sundays events will conclude by 10pm Friday – Saturday events will conclude by midnight
HOWARD SMITH WHARVES:
Stanley Restaurant
RiverFire banquet – 5pm-7.45pm – $188.00pp
Standard dinner bookings from 8.15pm
Mr Percivals
Music, cocktails and good times from noon
Bookings only from 5pm
Felons Brewing Co
Bookings for indoors, outdoor walk-in only from 11am
Live music from 6pm
Ciao Papi
Papi’s Riverfire feast SOLD OUT, A la carte bookings from 8.30pm.
A la carte bookings from 7.45pm
Fiume
Riverfire on the Rooftop – 4.30pm – 7.30pm – $290pp
Canapes, beverage package, live DJ
Rooftop open to public from 7.30pm
https://www.crystalbrookcollection.com/vincent/offers/riverfire-2021
Greca
5pm – 11pm. Signature and new dishes, plus a two hour beverage package.
$165pp
Yoko Dining
Izakaya-inspired menu with two-hour beverage package.
5-8pm A la carte after 8pm
$165pp
Emporium Hotel
Riverfire at the Terrace $299pp
Canapes, fork dishes and late night bites, and beverages,
5pm-9pm
www.emporiumhotels.com.au/whats-on
Three Blue Ducks – W Brisbane
Three Blue Ducks, W Hotel, $250 per adult
Four-course feast and two-hour drinks package, staggered seating from 5pm
Bookings: Essential via https://www.opentable.com.au/r/w-brisbane-three-blue-ducks-brisbane-city
The Plough Inn
Four hours live entertainment, food and drinks, 6pm-10pm
Tickets from $100pp via trybooking.com
EAGLE ST PIER:
George’s Paragon
Three-course set menu $120pp, for bookings 5.15pm-7.30pm
Half-price a la carte menu from 8pm
Rico Bar & Dining
Three-course set menu $120pp, for bookings between 5pm to 7.30pm and then 8.15pm onwards
A la carte menu from 8.15pm, pre authorisation of $30 required
The Bavarian
No set sittings at The Bavarian however only set menu available, from 4pm onwards
Naga Thai
Riverfire Set Menu served over four sittings at 5pm, 5.15pm, 5.30pm and 5.45pm
$195pp includes 7 courses and 2.5hr beverage package
Coppa Spuntino
Three-course menu with complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival, $125pp, $40 Children
First Sitting 5pm – 7.30pm
Second Sitting 8pm Onwards
Mr & Mrs G Riverbar
4pm – 8pm.
Canapes, four-hour beverage package and live entertainment, $200pp, including gift voucher
Balfour Kitchen and Bar
Four courses plus a glass of French sparkling during the show, $155 pp
thebalfourkitchenandbar.com.au
Aquitaine Restaurant and Bar
Three course Riverfire menu with a 3 hour drinks package included $220pp
BRIDGE CLOSURES
Toll-free waiver from Go Between Bridge to the Clem 7 during the closure of the Story Bridge from 6.15pm – 8pm.
Kurilpa Bridge
Remains open at all times.
Victoria Bridge
The Cycleway may close between Thursday 1 September until Sunday 4 September with cyclists using the Western Footpath or the Goodwill or Kurilpa Bridges. Visit Brisbane Festival and Brisbane City Council websites mid to late August for up-to-date information on this proposed closure.
Eastern footpath (South Bank side) remains open at all times.
Western footpath (Museum side) closes from 5:30pm to 9:30pm (or as directed by Police)
Victoria Bridge Monument closes between 4pm and 9:00pm.
Goodwill Bridge
Closed to pedestrians and cyclists between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
Story Bridge
Two City-bound traffic lanes close on Wednesday 31 August from 11pm until 5am, Thursday 1 September from 8:00pm until 5.00am Friday 2 September and again on Sunday 4 September between 5:00am and 10:00am.
Western footpath (City-side) closes to pedestrians on Thursday 1 September from 8pm until 10.00pm Saturday 3 September.
Eastern footpath (Dockside side) closes to pedestrians from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Saturday 3 September.
No pedestrian access on the Story Bridge from 6:30pm until 8:00pm on Saturday 3 September.
All Traffic lanes close from 6:30pm until 8:00pm on Saturday 3 September.
Captain Cook Bridge, Riverside Expressway
The inbound lanes (North bound) of the Captain Cook Bridge may close between 7:00pm to 7:30pm on Saturday 3 September via a controlled vehicle movement, visit the Brisbane Festival website in late August for up-to-date information of this closure.
The outbound lanes (South bound) always remain open but operate at a reduced speed with police patrols monitoring traffic flow and responding to any incidents. • Please visit the Brisbane Festival and Transurban website in August for up-to-date information on tolls.
CAR PARKS
Access to the Queensland Museum and the State Library: Access/Egress to these carparks is only available via Stanley Place (note: height restriction of 2.3m applies).
QPAC – Note the QPAC carpark is still closed due to flood damage.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre: Access via Merivale Street only, all day.
South Bank Car Park entry and exit until 7:15pm is available via Glenelg Street. Entry and exit available via Tribune Street until 4:00pm. After 4:00pm no entry is available from Tribune Street, exit only until approximately 9.30pm when Grey Street is clear of pedestrians.
Treasury Hotel Car Park will operate contraflow under supervision of Hotel Security, Traffic Controllers and Police, to exit onto George Street between approximately 6.45pm and 9.30pm, delays are expected.
TRANSLINK/TRAIN SERVICES
- Patrons are encouraged to use public transport. Visit the translink website for specific journey planning.
- Additional Citytrain services will operate on most lines.
CITYCAT AND CITYHOPPER
CityCats:
- Additional CityCat services will operate on the day using those terminals which are currently operational. Services will cease operating between 6:45pm and 7:45pm for the display, resuming services as soon as the all-clear is provided.
CityHopper:
- The CityHopper ferry routes are serviced by KittyCats The Howard Smith Wharf-Riverside-South Bank CityHopper service will cease operations between 6:45pm and 8:15pm.
E-MOBILITY
- Geofencing exclusion zones will be expanded for Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust. This will restrict riding and parking zones on Saturday 3 September. Contact your chosen e-mobility provider for further information.
TAXI RANKS
City
The rank in George Street (opposite Treasury Casino) will operate up until 4pm when the rank will be relocated to George Street between Elizabeth and Charlotte Streets.
During the temporary closure of George Street between 4pm and 10pm taxis only are allowed to turn right from George into Elizabeth Street.
All other City Ranks will operate as normal.
South Bank
The taxi ranks in Grey Street outside QPAC and approaching Glenelg Street outside the Mantra Hotel will be closed all day for pick-ups. Taxis will be permitted to deliver passengers to these Grey Street ranks only until 4:00pm. Public requiring a Taxi must proceed to the BCEC taxi rank in Glenelg Street at Merivale Street.
From 4:00pm QPAC passengers will be set down at the BCEC rank or access the Stanley Street Tunnel from Stanley Place to set passengers in the Tunnel near the Museum carpark.
Taxis will operate from the BCEC taxi rank in Glenelg Street at Merivale Street all day.
Signage will be erected at the QPAC and Mantra Ranks to redirect passengers to the Glenelg Street rank.
The ranks in Gibbon Street approaching Stanley Street, Raymond Terrace approaching Stanley Street outside Mater Children’s and Raymond Terrace opposite Hancock Street will operate as per normal.
ROAD CLOSURES
Brisbane City
William Street Elizabeth Street to Queen Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm Eastbound lanes closed
Adelaide Street George Street to North Quay 4.00pm to 11:00pm Access restricted to Authorised Brisbane Square Tennant vehicles only. TransLink buses accepted
George Street Elizabeth Street to Burnett Lane 4:00pm to 9:30pm Full Road Closure
Elizabeth Street between William and George Streets 7.00pm – 9.30pm Full Closure
Elizabeth Street off Ramps North and South from Riverside Expressway 7.00pm to 9:30pm Full Road Closure
Fortitude Valley
Harcourt Street At Bowen Terrace 7:00am to 8:30pm Harcourt Street residents access only via Brunswick Street
Kent Street At Bowen Terrace 7:00am to 8:30pm Kent Street residents access only via Brunswick Street
Ann Street Brunswick Street to Gipps Street 6:30pm to 8:00pm Slip to Story Bridge Closed
Gipps Street Wickham to Ann Street 6:30pm to 8:00pm Lane Closure. No access to Story Bridge. Traffic must turn right to Ann Street.
Kemp Place Gipps Street to Story Bridge 6:30pm to 8:00pm Full Road Closure
Ivory Street At Harrison Lane 6:30pm to 8:00pm Full Road Closure. No access to Story Bridge.
Martin Street At Harrison Lane 6:30pm to 8:00pm Full Road Closure. No access to Story Bridge.
Bowen Terrace Story Bridge to Bowen Street 6:30pm to 8:30pm Full Road Closure
Malt Street At Bowen Terrace 6:30pm to 8:30pm Malt Street residents access only via Brunswick Street
Bowen Street At Bowen Terrace 6:30pm to 8:30pm No access from Bowen Terrace, access is maintained from Brunswick Street at all times
Story Bridge
Kemp Place to Main Street Story Bridge 6:30pm to 8:00pm Full Road Closure
Story Bridge Precinct
The following measures implemented and enforced to alleviate congestion in the Story Bridge Precinct
Full closure of Holman Street – No Standing Any Time – Tow Away. (access for residents only with off street parking and Jazz Club accredited vehicles entering the Jazz Club car park).
First Aid /Ambulance and Brisbane Festival authorised vending vehicles allowed access to the parking bays in Holman Street between Main Street and the CityFerry terminal.
Vehicles travelling down Main Street able to U-turn at the intersection of Holman and Main Streets
No vehicular exit from Anderson Street onto Holman Street between 7:15pm to 8:30pm.
Between Baildon Street and Mackenzie Street – No Standing Any Time – Tow Away.
Between Mackenzie Street and Wicklow Street – Drop off zone – 2 minutes only.
Between Wicklow Street and Holman Street – No Standing Any Time – Tow Away.
Between Mackenzie Street and Wicklow Street – Drop off zone – 2 minutes only.
Main Street between Wicklow and Holman Streets changed to No Standing Anytime – Tow Away
Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Service Road Captain Cook Bridge to end of service road. 6:00am to 9:30pm Full Road Closure
Lockerbie Street At River Terrace 6:00am to 9:30pm Full Road Closure at River Terrace. Local access maintained via Main Street only.
Walmsley Street At River Terrace 6:00am to 9:30pm Full Road Closure at River Terrace. Local access maintained via Main Street only
Llewellyn Street At River Terrace 6:00am to 9:30pm Full Road Closure at River Terrace. Local access maintained via Main Street only
Bell Street At River Terrace 6:00am to 9:30pm Full Road Closure at River Terrace. Local access maintained via Main Street only
Paton Street 6:00am to 9:30pm Full Road Closure at River Terrace. Local access maintained via Main Street only
Holman Street Main Street 6:00am to 10:30pm Full Road Closure. Access for Holman and Anderson Street residents maintained upon proof of residency
Anglesey Street Main Street to End of Street 4:00pm to 9:30pm Local residents access maintained via Main Street upon proof of residency
Lockerbie Street Main Street to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Local residents access maintained via Main Street upon proof of residency
Walmsley Street Main Street to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Local residents access maintained via Main Street upon proof of residency
Llewellyn Street Main Street to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Local residents access maintained via Main Street upon proof of residency
Bell Street Main Street to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Paton Street Main Street to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Local residents access maintained via Main Street upon proof of residency
Vulture Street Christie Street to Leopard Street 4:00pm to 9:30pm Lane Closure. No left turn to Leopard Street.
Leopard Street Vulture Street to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Full Road Closure. Local access maintained via Main Street and Mark Lane to Wild Street.
River Terrace Leopard Street to Main Street 4:00pm to 9:30pm Full Road Closure
Main Street Shafston Ave O'Pass to River Terrace 4:00pm to 9:30pm Turn Lane to River Terrace closed
Shafston Ave O’Connell Street to Story Bridge 6:30pm to 8:00pm Full Road Closure taper installed diverting traffic to Main Street.
Bradfield Highway Main Street to Story Bridge 6:30pm to 8:00pm Full Road Closure
Anderson Street At Holman Street 7:15pm to 8:30pm No vehicular exit onto Holman Street
Ellis Street remains open for a right-turn only into Leopard Street between 4:00pm to 9:30pm
Left turn only allowed from Mark Lane into Leopard Street between 4:00pm to 9:30pm
Both sets of pedestrian stairs on River Terrace closed between 7:00pm to 7:30pm
No parking is permitted All Day on both sides of River Terrace and offenders will be issued a traffic notice and towed (except authorised Brisbane Festival vehicles, including Channel 9 broadcast vehicle and approved vending vans).
South Brisbane
Little Stanley Street South Bank car park access from Tribune Street 11.30pm Friday 2/9 to 3pm on Sunday 4/9 Full Road Closure
Russell Street Between Grey Street and South Bank Parklands 7:00am to 11:00pm Full Road Closure
Victoria Bridge Cycleway Between Grey and William Streets All Day – Thursday 1/9 to Sunday 4/9. Full closure of Cycleway
Hope Street Fish Lane to Melbourne Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm All Traffic must use either Fish Lane and Merivale Street or Hope and Peel Streets.
Fish Lane Hope Street to Grey Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm No access to Grey Street
Grey Street Peel Street to Tribune Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm Full Road Closure
Grey Street Tribune Street to Vulture Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm Closed to inbound traffic Only. Outbound lane remains available for vehicles exiting South Bank carpark to Vulture Street
Stanley Place At Grey Street (GOMA) 4:00pm to 11:00pm No Left to Grey Street
Ernest Street Merivale Street to Grey Street 6:30pm to 11:00pm Full Road Closure
Ernest Street At Vulture Street 7.15pm to 9:30pm No Left turn to Vulture Street.
Colchester Street Ernest Street to Tribune Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm Full Road Closure
Tribune Street Colchester to Grey Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm Full Road Closure. Access to Emporium Hotel until 4.30pm.
Tribune Street Between South Bank carpark exit and Grey Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm Eastern lane open for cars exiting South Bank carpark only
Vulture Street Graham Street to Grey Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm No access to Grey Street
Vulture Street At Grey Street 4:00pm to 11:00pm No turns inbound or outbound from Vulture Street
Vulture Street At Ernest Street 7.15pm to 9:30pm Closed to eastbound traffic at the intersection of Gladstone Road
Little Dock Street At Dock Street 4:00pm to 5.00pm Access for Local Residents ONLY
Little Dock Street At Dock Street 5:00pm to 9.30pm Full Road Closure
Glenelg Street Merivale Street to Little Stanley Street 6:30pm to 11:00pm Full Road Closure
Changes to parking conditions on Grey, Little Dock and Colchester streets
Grey Street – No Stopping All Day on Grey Street between Peel and Vulture Streets with Passenger Metered bays, Loading Zones and taxi rank signage replaced by No Standing Any Time Tow Away Zone Access to Rydges and Mantra Hotels, South Bank Cinemas and Thiess Building, 199 Grey Street and Galleria Apartments will be restricted due to the closure of Grey Street.
Access to the Emporium Hotel and the Southpoint South Bank Complex via Tribune Street will be restricted between 4.30pm and 9.30pm.
Access to Park Avenue Apartments will be restricted between 4.00pm and 9.30pm due to the large volume of pedestrians in the precinct.
Residents ONLY will be permitted access until 5pm. Please visit the Brisbane Festival website for more information on access to these properties.
Colchester Street – No Stopping All Day in Colchester Street between Ernest and Tribune Street with Passenger Metered bays and Loading Zones signage replaced by No Standing Any Time Tow Away Zone.
Mt Coot-tha
Scenic Drive Sir Samuel Griffith Drive to Mt Coot-tha Road 4:30pm to 9:30pm Full Road Closure
Mt Coot-tha Road Sir Samuel Griffith Drive to Scenic Drive 4:30pm to 9:30pm Turn Lane Closure
Sir Samuel Griffith Drive At Mt Coot-tha Lookout 5:00pm to 9:30pm Full Road Closure All traffic to the Mt Coot-tha Summit must travel counterclockwise along Sir Samuel Griffith Drive from approximately 4:30pm. After 4:30pm or as directed by Police, all traffic proceeding to or from Mt Coot-tha Summit must travel up counterclockwise along Sir Samuel Griffith Drive and return down the same way as Sir Samuel Griffith Drive will be closed at the Summit Restaurant and Café.
Mt Gravatt
Shire Road At Tenby Street 3:00pm to 9:00pm Full Road Closure
Brisbane River
New Farm Riverwalk Between Sydney Street and Howard Smith Wharf 6.45pm -7.30pm Closed
From Mowbray Park, East Brisbane To the Go Between Bridge (Cribb Street, Milton) 5:00pm to 8:45pm Closed to all traffic other than enforcement agencies vessels.
All spectator vessels attending Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust must fly the special ‘Aquatic Permit entry flag’ to gain access to the two dedicated spectator mooring zones in the Town Reach Area A & B and be moored in position by 5:00pm.
All Commercial Charter Operators must be in their designated anchorage position Area C – Kangaroo Point Cliffs by 6.15pm and will NOT BE PERMITTED to move or depart until 7.45pm, or as directed by the Brisbane Water Police.
Under no circumstances will any commercial vessel be permitted to enter the 'closed river' after 6.00pm.
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