Where and when you can catch Townsville’s fireworks this weekend

This year’s New Year’s celebration will be bigger and better than ever in Townsville, with over two tonnes of fireworks being prepared to ring in the New Year. Find out where you can watch.

Skylighter Fireworks NQ manager Rib Fairbanks with just some of the fireworks for New Year's Eve. Picture: Evan Morgan

There’ll be more fireworks than ever bursting across the sky this weekend, but residents have also been served up a timely warning not to take the fun into their own hands.

Skylighter Fireworx NQ Manager Rob Fairbanks has been one of the main brains behind Townsville’s end-of-year celebrations in recent years, and this year is no different, with Mr Fairbanks and his crew working around the clock to get the barge stocked and ready for all four fireworks events this weekend.

“I think the weather’s going to be very good for it. It’s been very good, it’s great to see the council with their stuff along the strand, there’ll be music being played down there at the early show,” Mr Fairbanks said.

Skylighter Fireworks NQ manager Rib Fairbanks with just some of the fireworks for New Year's Eve. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We’re loading a couple of tonnes of fireworks at the moment. There’s actually four shows all up, one at Riverway, one at Maggie Island and two on the Strand.

“It takes about two tonnes of fireworks and then about two tonnes of equipment to go on top of that. It’s all coming together now, we’re all down at the barge loading it right now and getting ready for it.”

Mr Fairbanks said that despite strong headwinds in the form of price rises that had made securing supplies for this year’s event more challenging, things were tracking to be better than ever.

“It’s been really hard to set up, especially now because there’s been a lot of price increases in the last two years with freight and getting everything here,” Mr Fairbanks said.

“Because we get all our stuff made, we try to make different things every year so people aren’t seeing the same things every year.

“That can be a big challenge, especially with the problems in China with Covid at the moment, which is where a lot of fireworks come from.”

Resources Minister Scott Stewart, in Townsville for the first Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan Ministerial Advisory Group meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Fairbanks said people should be ‘aware’ of the event’s start times, and prepare their pets accordingly, as the fireworks shows are never late.

“Just make sure they’re looking after their pets, if we say we’re going off at 8 o’clock, then that’s when we’ll be going, so look out.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said residents should make sure to celebrate safely and legally.

“It wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve celebration without fireworks, but we do not want to see the night ruined by serious injury or worse resulting from using fireworks illegally.”

RIVERWAY STADIUM, RIVERWAY PRECINCT

5pm | Gates open

6pm | Watch Disney’s Encanto on the big screen (food truck onsite)

8pm | Firework display

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STRAND PARK, THE STRAND

From 4pm | Rides, amusements, roving entertainment, food trucks and live music.

8pm | Fireworks display

Midnight | Fireworks display

​Live music and roving entertainment will conclude at 8pm.

Kids amusements and food trucks will remain open until midnight.

NELLY BAY, MAGNETIC ISLAND

Midnight | Fireworks display

Originally published as Where and when you can catch Townsville’s fireworks this weekend