Riverfire 2022: Super Hornets return, plus your guide to best spots

Roaring, soaring Super Hornets will streak over Brisbane before the sky is set alight for Riverfire, wowing an expected half-a-million-strong crowd on Saturday.

The jets have not flown for Riverfire, the popular annual river fireworks event that heralds the Brisbane Festival, since 2019, before COVID-19 prevented mass gatherings.

Riverfire will be the opening event for the Brisbane Festival, which runs until September 25.

On Saturday, the F/A-18F Super Hornet from RAAF Base Amberley in the city’s south, and four army helicopters – the MRH-90 Taipan Battlefield Mobility and EC655 Eurocopter Tiger Armed Reconnaissance from the School of Army Aviation in Oakey – are scheduled to fly through the city.

But the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast the city could receive up to 30 millimetres of rain.

As of midday on Friday, there was a 95 per cent chance of rain.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey urged people to bring along their wet weather gear, while announcing free transport for commuters between 7.30pm and 9pm on Saturday.

F/A-18F Super Hornets will fly over Brisbane as part of Riverfire.Credit: Robert Shakespeare

He said an additional 160 services would be available, including 32 more train services and 130 buses.

“I’d urge people, if you can, take public transport because if everybody drives, it’s going to be gridlocked,” he said.

“Be prepared, bring your wet weather gear in case there is any rain.”

Chief Superintendent Stephen Dabinett said about half-a-million people were expected to line the banks of the Brisbane River for the celebration.

“We are well versed in planning and preparing for major events, and Riverfire is no exception,” Dabinett said.

“Remembering that major road and bridge closures will come into effect from Saturday afternoon, together with some parking restrictions.”

Extra police were expected to patrol through the city, including at South Bank, Kangaroo Point and other vantage points.

On Thursday, the RAAF conducted practice runs through the city with the helicopters, followed by the jet fly-through on Friday.

The view from Brisbane’s Story Bridge as a Super Hornet was used for Riverfire practice.Credit: David Kapernick

Brisbane Festival, which runs until September 25, will include performers, free concerts, food from across the world, and large-scale installations.

“Brisbane Festival also provides important employment for artists and arts workers, with more than 1100 Queensland artists featured in this year’s festival, including more than 160 First Nations artists,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“This year the festival boasts more than 580 performances including 230 free presentations with 22 new works.”

Riverfire program

10am-3pm: Displays at the Flowstate pavilion at South Bank Parklands, including vehicles, bomb detection/attack dogs and RAAF equipment display

12-2.30pm: Performance by the Navy Band from HMAS Moreton at South Bank

5.15pm: Helicopters in the army’s display team will wait in a holding pattern over Indooroopilly Golf Course for 10 minutes. Two helicopters will hold above Victoria Park Golf Course between 5.35pm and 5.42pm.

5.20pm: F/A-18F Super Hornet flyovers

5.30pm: Army aviation display

7.05-7.25pm: Riverfire fireworks display

Best spots to view the fireworks

• River Terrace at Kangaroo Point
• Kangaroo Point Cliffs
• Captain Burke Park of Wilson’s Outlook
• Eagle Street Pier
• City Botanic Gardens

Bridge closures

Victoria Bridge

• The Cycleway may close between Thursday, September 1, until Sunday, September 4 with cyclists using the Western Footpath or the Goodwill or Kurilpa bridges.
• 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 9pm.

Goodwill Bridge

• Closed to pedestrians and cyclists between 4pm and 8pm.

Story Bridge

• Two city-bound traffic lanes close on Wednesday, August 31, from 11pm until 5am, Thursday, September 1, from 8pm until 5am Friday, September 2 and again on Sunday, September 4 between 5am and 10am.
• Western footpath (city-side) closes to pedestrians on Thursday, September 1 from 8pm until 10pm Saturday, September 3.
• Eastern footpath (dockside) closes to pedestrians from 6.30pm to 8pm on Saturday, September 3.
• No pedestrian access on the Story Bridge from 6.30pm until 8pm on Saturday, September 3.
• All traffic lanes close from 6.30pm until 8pm on Saturday, September 3.

Captain Cook Bridge - Riverside Expressway

• The inbound lanes (northbound) of the Captain Cook Bridge may close between 7pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, September 3, via a controlled vehicle movement.
• The outbound lanes (southbound) will remain open but will operate at a reduced speed with police patrols.

-with AAP