Riverfire 2023 kicks off Brisbane Festival with a BANG

Thousands have turned out to the city’s best vantage points to celebrate Brisbane Festival’s dazzling Riverfire event, with more than 11 tonnes of explosives going up in smoke and a dazzling array of colour.

RiverFire seen from the cliffs above Howard Smith wharves. Photo Steve Pohlner

• In pictures: Riverfire flames, faces and fly-bys

Thousands turned out to the city’s best vantage points to celebrate Brisbane Festival’s dazzling Riverfire event.

The Brisbane sky was awash with colour and the waterfront dotted with people as more than 11 tonnes of fireworks exploded as part of the spectacular display on Saturday night.

The C17A Globemaster during the flyover. Photo Steve Pohlner

Earlier in the evening, eager spectators were treated to the C17A Globemaster display – one of the defence force‘s biggest aircraft doing a low flyover, and the EA-18G Growler show, with fighter jets speeding through the air at 900km/h.

Fireworks at RiverFire from Howard Smith wharves. Photo Steve Pohlner

Carla Jones said it was her first time coming to the Riverfire in person.

“We’ve seen the planes fly over which is much more exciting in real life than I thought it was,” she said.

“This is our first time actually sitting down by the river and its so cool.”

Hernan Munera said it was a memorable experience with his girlfriend and friends.

People flocked down to Howard Smith Wharves to watch the firework display during River Fire 2023. Picture Matthew Poon

“It’s very beautiful, I came here with my girlfriend and some friends for the first time and it's been great,” he said.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland senior inspector previously told The Sunday Mail approximately 1500 hours of work had gone into ensuring the display went off with the right sort of bang.