The night sky explodes, a thumping beat sounds and over half a million spectators on Brisbane's riverbanks, backyards and balconies look up in awe. It could only mean one thing; THE OPENING OF BRISBANE FESTIVAL 2010 WITH QBE RIVERFIRE!

The celebration starts as early as 12noon, when people arrive to stake out their favourite vantage points.

Check out 104.5 Triple M's outside broadcast and the Australian Defence Force's jam-packed programme at South Bank featuring aircraft displays, drills and live music.

At 5pm a Blackhawk helicopter* takes off for a fantastic aerial display and then finally, when the sun goes down, the awesome F-111* strike jets make their final curtain call.

The fireworks extravaganza from Foti International is matched only by the inspiring soundtrack shaped by Creative Director, Tony Assness. Be awaken by the thumping primal sounds of drums and didgeridoos, electronic beats, classical masterpieces, retro tunes and today's popular hits that are sure to trigger the pyrotechnic display in true fashion.

For those who celebrate at home, you can catch all the spectacle by tuning into the special live broadcast statewide on Channel Nine from 6.30pm. So wherever you are, turn on, tune in, gather friends and family and be a part of Brisbane's favourite night of the year… QBE Riverfire!

* Availability of ADF aircraft including F-111s and the Blackhawk is subject to operational requirements.

 

VANTAGE POINTS

South Bank is a popular place for families to watch QBE Riverfire. The venue is fenced for public safety so arrive early and enjoy the Australian Defence Force Open Day from 12noon.

Please do not bring bikes and scooters, glass, alcohol and drink bottles with broken seals, including bottles of water or softdrink to South Bank. These items will be confiscated by South Bank security staff. QBE Riverfire at South Bank is an alcohol-free event.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Victoria Bridge, City Riverwalk (including Riverside Centre and Eagle Street Pier), Captain Burke Park and Wilson's Lookout offer alternative vantage points. All these sites offer food and beverages for sale.

For people who have limited mobility, access is available at South Bank, Eagle Street Pier, Riverside Centre, City Botanical Gardens and Captain Burke Park.

Download the QBE Riverfire Vantage Points Map here.
Download the Brisbane Festival iPhone app for QBE Riverfire information in your pocket.

 

ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES

There will be road closures affecting the City, South Bank, West End, Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley areas from midday.

Captain Cook Bridge:
Open all times

Goodwill Bridge: 12noon – 8.00pm
Closed, no access.

Kurilpa Bridge: 6.45pm – 7.30pm
Closed, no access

Story Bridge: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Closed to all traffic (incl. pedestrians).
NOTE. Western (cityside) footpath closed from 2.00am on Friday 3 September to 8.30pm on Saturday 4 September. Eastern footpath closed from 6.30pm to 8.00pm.

Victoria Bridge: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
Traffic lanes closed and available for pedestrians from 5.00pm to 9.30pm.
NOTE. Western footpath (Museum side) closed to pedestrians from 6.00pm to 11.00pm. The eastern footpath (South Bank side) remains open at all times.

CityCats and Cityferry Services:
CityCat services will cease operations from 6.45pm until 7.45pm.
The QUT CityCat terminal will remain closed until resumption of normal services on Sunday 5 September.
The Holman Street – Eagle Street – Thornton Street and the Inner Cityferry services will cease operations from 6.45pm until 8.15pm.
Due to the popularity of the CityCat its recommended patrons travel early to avoid delays and disappointment.

Mt Gravatt Lookout: 4.00pm – 8.00pm
Closed to all traffic at Shire Road and Gosford Street.

City

Adelaide Street: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
Closed between George and North Quay to South bound traffic (Translink buses accepted).

Floating Riverwalk: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Closed between Boundary Street (City) and Merthyr Road (New Farm).

George Street: 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Closed to all traffic between Elizabeth Street and Burnett Lane.

North Quay: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
Closed between Ann and Queen Streets (general traffic forced to turn left into Turbot Street and taper from Turbot Street onto Riverside Expressway at Ann Street). Mecure Hotel guests accepted. Buses continue as usual along North Quay diverting into Adelaide St from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Queens Wharf Road: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
Closed between William Street and the turnaround behind the Commissariat Stores.

William Street:
Both riverside lanes between Elizabeth and Queen Streets closed from 4.00pm – 11.00pm (Translink buses accepted until 6.30pm).
Closed to all traffic between Queen and Elizabeth Streets from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Fortitude Valley

Story Bridge: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
No Access from Ann, Boundary, Brunswick, Harrison, Ivory and Martin Streets.
Gipps Street at Ann Street - all traffic must turn right to Ann Street.

Bowen Terrace: 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
Closed between the Story Bridge and Bowen Street to improve safety at the popular Wilson's Lookout.

Local streets linking Brunswick Street to Bowen Terrace: 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
Closed with access open to local residents only.

Kangaroo Point

Ellis Street: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
Remains open for a right turn only into Leopard Street.

Local streets linking River Terrace to Main Street: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
Closed with access open to local residents only.

Mark Lane: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
Left turn only allowed from Mark Lane into Leopard Street.

Pedestrian stairs at Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout: 7.00pm – 7.30pm
Pedestrian stairs linking Lower River Terrace and River Terrace are closed at the Lookout and South Brisbane TAFE Kangaroo Point Campus.

River Terrace and Leopard Street: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
River Terrace at Main Street and Leopard Street at Vulture Street closed. No parking permitted ALL DAY on both sides of River Terrace.

Service Road below the Kangaroo Point Cliffs at Captain Cook Bridge.
Closed ALL DAY

South Brisbane

Colchester Street: 6.00am – 10.00pm
Closed between Ernest and Vulture Streets.

Cultural Centre Tunnel: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
Closed between Melbourne Street and the QPAC car park entrance.

Dock Street: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
No right turn into Vulture Street and no left turn into Stanley Street.

Ernest Street: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
Closed between Merivale and Grey Streets. Access permitted for patrons entering South Bank Cineplex and Theiss building (access available via Glenelg and Grey Streets from 4.00pm and 7.15pm only). Translink buses excepted.

Grey Street:
No stopping or parking between Vulture and Melbourne Streets – ALL DAY (Translink buses accepted)
Closed to all traffic between Vulture and Glenelg Streets from 4.00pm to 9.30pm.
Closed to south bound traffic between Peel and Melbourne Streets (Translink buses accepted) from 4.00pm to 9.30pm.
Closed to all traffic between Melbourne and Glenelg Streets from 7.15pm to 9.30pm.
Right turn slip lane into Melbourne Street closed from 4.00pm to 11.00pm

Hope Street:
No parking between Peel Street and Fish Lane – ALL DAY
Closed at intersection of Fish Lane No Entry (Translink buses accepted) 4.00pm – 11.00pm.

Little Stanley Street:
Closed between Glenelg (South Bank Car Park entrance) and Tribune Streets from midnight on Thursday 2 September to 3.00pm on Sunday 5 September.

Melbourne Street: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
Closed between Merivale Street and Victoria Bridge.

Merivale Street: 4.00pm – 11.00pm
No left turn into Melbourne Street.

Stanley Place: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
No left turn from Stanley Place (GoMA) into Grey Street (BCC buses accepted).

Stanley Street: 4.00pm – 9.30pm
No right turn into Dock and Vulture Streets.

Tribune Street: 7.15pm – 9.30pm
Closed between Colchester and Grey Streets.

Vulture Street:
No left turn into Leopard Street from 4.00pm to 9.30pm.
No turns from Vulture Street into Grey Street (inbound or outbound) from 4.00pm to 10.00pm (Translink buses accepted).
Closed to eastbound traffic at the Gladstone Road intersection from 7.15pm to 9.30pm.

Please note: Clem7 tunnel and Go Between Bridge will remain open at all times.

Listen to 104.5 Triple M for traffic updates on the day.

Download the Road and Bridge Closures PDF here.
Download the Brisbane Festival iPhone app for QBE Riverfire information in your pocket.

 

ACCESS TO CAR PARKS

South Bank Precinct Access after 4.00pm

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum and the GoMA car parks:
Patrons will only be able to access the car park by travelling southbound over the Grey Street Bridge and turning left into Stanley Place (Caution a height restriction of 2.3m applies). Patrons are encouraged to use public transport. All vehicles exiting from the QPAC, Queensland Museum and GoMA car parks must exit via Stanley Place.

Rydges and Mantra Hotels:
Access via Merivale & Glenelg Streets.

South Bank Cinemas and Thiess Building:
Access via Glenelg, Grey and Ernest Streets under Police direction until 7.15pm then no access will be available until Grey Street is clear of pedestrians (approximately 9.30pm).

Building corner Tribune and Grey Streets:
Access via Merivale or Cordelia and Tribune Streets until 7.15pm.

South Bank Car Park:
Glenelg Street: Entry & Exit
Tribune St: Exit ONLY

TAXI RANKS

South Bank:
The taxi ranks in Grey Street outside QPAC and approaching Glenelg Street outside Mantra Hotel closed ALL DAY. Patrons are to use the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre taxi rank in Glenelg Street.

 

SPECTATOR VESSELS ON THE BRISBANE RIVER

In the interest of public safety and in accordance with the Queensland Fireworks Code, Marine Safety Queensland closes sections of the Brisbane River during QBE Riverfire (between Mowbray Park, East Brisbane and Cribb Street, Milton from 5.00pm to 8.45pm on Saturday 4 September) and regulations are put in place to manage the spectator fleet attending the event. This includes three dedicated mooring zones in the Town and South Brisbane Reaches of the river with a strictly limited number of private vessel mooring positions. Only private vessels who have obtained an Entry Permit Flag will be permitted into the closed area of the river.

All Entry Permit Flags have been distributed for 2010. Information about any process for 2011, will be available on this website in April 2011.