📍9 Best Places To Watch Brisbane Riverfire For Viewing & Photography. (2024.)

WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH RIVERFIRE IN BRISBANE ARE?

Livening up the skies with an epic display of fireworks and ADF military flybys, Riverfire is unequivocally, Brisbane’s greatest event in its jammed-packed calendar. Kicking off 23 days of music, culture, art and performances for Brisbane Festival, this exciting, free show draws in half a million spectators looking to experience the exhilarating and magical atmosphere, which includes supersonic jets roaring past at low heights during the day while fireworks explode all along the river at night, showcasing loud and clear, exactly why Queensland’s capital is Australia’s premier River City.

But where to watch the phenomenal show? Well, that is a loaded question. Because this huge event happens between Victoria Bridge and the Story Bridge, it can be seen from the miles of pedestrian walkways that line both the northern and southern banks, plus several of its inner-city viewpoints, high-end skyscraper hotels, dedicated river cruises and distant lookouts, meaning there’s no shortage of fantastic spots to choose from.

As someone who has frequented Brisbane many times photographing the city and the Riverfire and New Year events, here are my top recommendations for the best places to watch Brisbane Riverfire and the ADF military flybys for the most unforgettable experience.

1. City Reach Boardwalk.

As someone who is passionate about landscape photography, one place that never disappoints when capturing the Riverfire fireworks is City Reach Boardwalk. Accounting for the section of riverside pathway between the City Botanic Gardens and the Howard Smith Wharves, this spectacular spot also runs by Eagle Street Pier, the famous upscale outdoor dining precinct renowned for its restaurants having unequivocal views of the iconic Story Bridge, making it easily the most romantic place in the CBD, not just to chat over dinner, but to cap it off a lovely night with a stroll along the water with the illuminated structure as the breathtaking backdrop.

From a photography perspective, the boardwalk is one of the most spectacularly dynamic places in the city to shoot the instantly recognisable landmark during Brisbane’s biggest outdoor event. This is because along with clear views of fireworks exploding above Australia’s longest steel cantilever bridge and the barge next to it for almost the entire stretch of footpath, it also has the towering skyscrapers of the CBD to the left of it.

And with the incorporation of the piers and the pathways of the riverwalk, you can create a compositionally engaging image that perfectly tells of the city’s unique and enviable riverside lifestyle from further south. Or if you’re up the northern end, you can single out the Story Bridge and capture the breathtaking structure it in its entire form, showcasing its entire span, and striking symmetry.

• View: Story Bridge and skyscrapers.
• Best For: Viewing, photography & ADF flybys.
• Bad For: If you go too far north and don’t have a wide lens, you may find it hard to fit the photos into frame. Unless that’s, of course, what you want.

2. Wilsons Outlook.*

Another phenomenal place to see Brisbane’s breathtaking Story Bridge is from one of best lookouts: Wilsons Outlook. Located on the cliffs directly east of the iconic landmark, the similar elevation of this gorgeous scenic spot means it offers the best true perspective of the striking cantilever structure at its most perpendicular angle will be less horizontally compacted and less vertically distorted in camera, allowing you to appreciate and photograph its entire expanse.

What’s more, is that with the spectacular skyscrapers of the inner city lie directly behind the bridge and the restaurants and terminals of the Howard Smith Wharves while ferries move about the water, it’s a fantastic visually dynamic lookout to watch the fireworks go off over the city’s most famous architectural icon.

You’ll have to come and scout out a spot early though, as the reserve is only small, and with a view this good, it packs out early!

• View: Story Bridge with the city’s skyscrapers behind.
• Best For: Viewing and photography. Slightly more distance views of the ADF flybys.
• Bad For: Late Arrivals. This place packs out quickly!

3. Howard Smith Wharves.

Another great place that’s right near the Story Bridge is the Howard Smith Wharves, the stunning waterfront bar and dining precinct directly under and around the northern pylon in Fortitude Valley. This revered part of the city has some gorgeous views from the eastern side, but there are buildings blocking some of the the scenery and special areas for restaurants patrons only, which is another great way to enjoy the event.

Whereas up on the cliffs behind, it’s at overpass level, and the few viewing areas offer incredible views of the entire structure and the beams that form its iconic shape. Plus, they also act as windows, allowing you to use the frame of the bridge to create compositionally engaging close-up shots of it with the fireworks of the nearby barge providing a unique contrast.

• View: Story Bridge with skyscrapers
• Best For: Very close-up viewing and dynamic and macro firework photography. ADF flybys.
• Bad For: Noise sensitivity. Getting the whole bridge and fireworks in the shot.

4. Captain Burke Park.

If you like to be right up in the action, then Captain Burke Park is the ultimate place to be. Sitting riverfront just west of the Story Bridge’s southern pylon, this is the closest you can get to it without being in the water. Even though that would be awesome, doing that is probably illegal, but getting to see the fireworks explode above and cascade off the front side of Brisbane’s most iconic landmark from such a close vantage point during the city’s biggest event is as mesmerising and intense as it seems. I would recommend b though, as the sudden booming sounds aren’t good for the eardrums and the smoke emission isn’t good for the lungs.

• View: Story Bridge and skyscrapers.
• Best For: Very close up viewing and macro firework photography. ADF flybys.
• Bad For: Noise sensitivity. Little more challenging to take photos due to the unpredictability of where the fireworks will shoot. Perhaps only if you have an ultrawide or fish lens will you be able to fit the Story Bridge and the skyscrapers in one shot.

5. New Farm Riverwalk. (Southern Entrance.)

One of the less populated spots to watch the Riverfire fireworks exploding off the breathtaking Story Bridge is from the New Farm Riverwalk. Although the iconic pathway, which juts out into the Brisbane River, allowing you to peacefully walk over the water away from the hustle and bustle of city life is closed for the show, the southern entrance offers gorgeous distance views of the striking urban landmark with an angle similar to the southern half of the City Reach Boardwalk. Only this time are skyscrapers are behind and to the left, creating a wider frame of interest for the fireworks as they erupt into the sky from the bridge and water.

One of the caveats of this place is that if you come late and there’s slim pickings, you may not be able to get a spot that has views without the footpaths overhead lights if that’s not what you want. And even if you can, there may be a problem with light flares affecting the photos in ways you don’t want them to.

Also, as it’s reasonably far away, and the sound of the fireworks going off is pretty muted, there’s not as much atmosphere. It feels like you’re on the outside looking in. This is great if you are more noise-sensitive than the average person. But for those who enjoy feeling the buzz and the sense of excitement that comes with anticipation, this is one of those places that might leave you feeling underwhelmed and out of sorts.

• View: Distant Story Bridge.
• Best For: Noise sensitivity, viewing and distant photography. Further away views of the ADF flybys.
• Bad For: Street lights interfering with the photos. Atmospheric value. Feels a bit far away from the magic.

6. South Bank.

One of the best places to watch Brisbane Riverfire is South Bank. What makes it elite is that the spectacular Clem Jones Promenade walkway runs right along the river bank between Victoria Bridge and the Goodwill Bridges providing sweeping views of the magical fireworks show and ADF flybys with a backdrop of the CBD’s skyscrapers including the Goodwill Bridge and the new Star Casino, which both also play a part in the pyrotechnics, but it also has tonnes of beautiful outdoor spaces to sit and enjoy the show away from the river, including from its famous resort-style beaches and swimming lagoons.

What’s makes an even more exciting venue is that it’s the designated Brisbane Festival entertainment hub, family-friendly, alcohol-free zone offering plenty of things to do before and after the show, plus it has a sound system playing the official Triple M soundtrack, making it the safest and most atmospheric place for people of all ages to enjoy the magical half day event.

However, if you’re doing photography, you’ll want to come no later than mid-afternoon because even though there’s many tiered areas, such as steps and concrete garden beds, which helps your camera be above the crowd, being able to get a spot right by the river means you also won’t have to try and compose your photos around the audio speakers, which are probably every ten metres apart.

• View: Skyscrapers and bridges.
• Best For: The full immersive magical experience. Variance of photos thanks to numerous fireworks barges along the river. ADF Flybys.
• Bad For: Noise sensitivity. Little more challenging to take photos due to the unpredictability of where the fireworks will shoot. The audio sound system speakers are in the way if you’re not right by the river.

7. The Wheel Of Brisbane. – $.

Making a special night even more magical, Wheel Of Brisbane is one of the most unique and unforgettable ways to see the city’s iconic fireworks show. Take your significant other, family members or gang of buddies and enjoy the spectacular show from a peaceful, private, air-conditioned gondola as it gently ascends to heights of 60m for breathtaking views of the Brisbane River, the CBD’s stunning skyline and bridges, all while overlooking the tens of thousands of revellers who descended on South Bank Parklands.

• View: Skyscrapers, bridges & South Bank.
• Best For: An enhanced experience. Rotational and elevated view. Romance. Quiet. Away from the crowds.
• Bad For: Photography and the ADF flybys.

8. Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Another great place to revel in the nighttime atmosphere while fireworks are lighting up the night sky over the Brisbane River is the stunning Kangaroo Point Cliffs. This breathtaking elevated vantage point is one of the city’s best lookouts, offering the widest viewing scope to enjoy several of the pyrotechnic barges along the river.

The most breathtaking direction is northeast with the illuminated skyscrapers creating the perfect photographic backdrop for the fireworks, while the set of 3 or 4 around the bend at South Bank create a spectacular row or colour aerial explosions, silhouetting the buildings and botanical gardens of the southern half of the CBD.

Furthermore, this is also one of the several spots that have the Triple M soundtrack on loudspeaker to get people pumped and excited for Brisbane’s biggest showcase, but yet it’s a little further away from the fireworks so it’s not as headache-inducing as the closer ones. And there is also a dedicated accessible viewing area, making it the optimal spot for people for all kinds of revellers. However, you need to call ahead to reserve a spot well in advance.

• View: Skyscrapers.
• Best For: Distant viewing & photography, ADF flybys.
• Bad For: Seeing them close up. Southern end feels a bit far away from the magic.

9. Mt Cootha Lookout.

Much further away from the crowds and atmosphere, the best location to watch Brisbane showcasing its River City status with military planes flying low over the CBD in the late afternoon and fireworks erupting above the river in the inner city is from the popular Mt Coo-tha Lookout.

This much-loved scenic landmark is one of the very few places you can see the Queensland capital as a whole with an epic panoramic not just including the skyscrapers of the CBD but the vast area of urban development south of it, making it one of the most gorgeous places to appreciate its scope and beauty.

The sweeping views also make it great for an event such as a Riverfire as it offers the unique perspective of being able to capture all the fireworks going off in the city in a gorgeous slow shutter urban landscape photography shot, and gives a wide scope for which to track and capture the supersonic Hornet zooming with less obstacles to contend with and shift camera focus mid pan.

Note: Go early as the parking lot is only small and it’s a very popular place. And that’s just on a regular day.

• View: The city from a distance.
• Best For: Very distant photography. Zoom lens advised. Noise Sensitivity.
• Bad For: Atmospheric value. Parking.

Notes:

• All these places are also exceptional for the ADF Flybys.
• The Sky Casinos’s Skydeck will not be open during the fireworks.
• *South Bank, River Terrace and Capt Burke Park, Kangaroo Point Cliffs and Wilson Outlook, Fortitude Valley have audio systems installed to play Triple M’s official Riverfire broadcast. If you’re not in these areas, you can still hear it by tuning in to 104.5 FM.

Best Places To Watch Brisbane Riverfire Map.

NOTE: Bridge Closures.

Several bridges in the inner city will be completely closed for a few hours leading up to the event and for a while after. Victoria Bridge will be exclusively pedestrian access only from 4.00-9.00 pm allowing passage between Queen St Mall and South Bank during the event, but you won’t be able to stay to spectate.

• Story Bridge – 6:30-8:00 pm.
• Goodwill Bridge – 4:00-8:00 pm.
• Neville Bonner Bridge – 4:00-10:00 pm.

5 Star Luxury:

• The Star Grand Brisbane.
• Emporium Hotel South Bank.
  • Best Rooms.
    • Premium River City Suite.
    • Poolside Cabana Suite.
    • Exquisite Suite.
    • Emporium Suite.
    • Frangipani Suite.
  • They also have ticketed events for the show which they post here.
• W Brisbane.
• Crystalbrook Vincent.
• Spicers Balfour Hotel.
  • Riverfire 2024 at The Balfour Kitchen & Bar Event.
• Meriton Suites Herschel Street.
• Meriton Suites Adelaide Street.
• Stamford Plaza Brisbane. – Views Of Story Bridge.
• Hyatt Regency Brisbane.

4 Star:

• Lux 35th Floor.
• Adina Apartments South Brisbane.
• Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank.
• Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites.
• Brisbane Skytower by CLLIX.
• Oaks Brisbane Aurora Suites.
• Hope Street Apartments by CLLIX.
• Hillcrest Apartment Hotel.

It’s not just on land from the the riverwalks and lookouts and from cushy, luxury skyscraper hotels that you can enjoy the magic of Brisbane Riverfire. There are also many river cruises available to marvel at the fireworks lightning up the River City’s night sky from the water.

From one of the many pathways that line the riverbank, the clifftop lookouts of Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley to the dedicated river cruises that offer private floating venues to see the show water level and the skyscraper hotels that offer privacy and seclusion from the crowds, there are many incredible places to watch Brisbane Riverfire.

If you plan to visit Brisbane, consider looking at these other posts.