Rooftops, riverbanks and VIP views – where to watch Riverfire in 2026
For most cities, fireworks are synonymous with New Year’s Eve, but in Brisbane, the turning of the year has nothing on Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust. The iconic fireworks display has now moved to the opening weekend of Brisbane Festival, so the month-long celebration can begin with a bang. Over half a million people turn up each year to witness Queensland’s biggest pyrotechnics. From riviera-inspired city escapes and riverside alfresco dining, we’ve collated a list of the city’s best vantage points. Read on for our top picks …
Hotel Terminus, South Brisbane: Newly opened multi-level drinking and dining hub, Hotel Terminus, is a brilliant candidate for your Riverfire celebration spot. Fox Rooftop is giving guests an elevated vantage point for catching the action, with a three‑hour canape and beverage package available alongside views of the 4:00 pm flyover and 7:00 pm fireworks display. After the action ends, revellers can keep the good times going downstairs at Vixen Bar – the spot for crafted cocktails and late-night drinks. Head to the Hotel Terminus website for more info and ticket links.
Supernormal, Brisbane City: If you’re looking for a casual yet refined experience for Riverfire festivities, Supernormal and its front row view of the light show offers a sanctuary to settle in with both relaxed a la carte lunch and festive front-row dinner banquet reservations available. For $190pp, the Riverfire Banquet offers sumptuous grazing options including Moreton Bay bug toast, grilled Stockyard Wagyu striploin with marinated snake beans and kombu butter, seared tuna, Ora King salmon and Flametail snapper, plus a sweet finish of Valrhona chocolate with caramelised miso, peanuts and sesame. Ideal for both meeting and watching, Supernormal’s is a zero-effort choice for September 5 – book here to save yourself from decision fatigue.
OTTO Ristorante, South Brisbane: The best part of any night is the afterparty, and OTTO’s post-fireworks celebration will be no exception. While the rest of the city inches their way back home after the light show, OTTO invites partygoers to settle in for the night’s second act with a special Riverfire menu prepared by head chef Richard Ptacnik. Sit back as the crowds shuffle past, snacking on delicious morsels including natural and Venetian Sydney rock oysters, ossobuco-braised wagyu shin and handmade potato gnocchi, Woodside goat’s curd with truffle honey and, of course, a tiramisu finish. This is one afterparty we’d recommend booking ahead. Click here if you want to treat yourself to something special.
Greca, Brisbane City: Opa! If you want to infuse your Riverfire celebrations with a distinctly coastal-inspired Greek flavour, Greca is the place to do it. The restaurant has an assortment of vantage points from which to catch the action, as well as a few packages to choose from. Those sitting outside will enjoy the Riverfire Premium Package, which includes a shared banquet and two-hour premium beverage package. Guests seated inside or on the mezzanine can enjoy the premium package or Greca’s special Riverfire menu, which includes a shared banquet and cocktail on arrival. Click here to make a booking.
Lina Rooftop, South Brisbane: Experience an elevated Riverfire soiree with uninterrupted fireworks views, flowing champagne, powerhouse DJs and plenty of rooftop revelry. From 5:00–8:00 pm, guests will enjoy a curated three-hour sips package, featuring free-flowing Laurent Perrier Champagne, premium spirits including Grey Goose, Bacardi Rum, Bombay Sapphire, boutique wines, craft beers by Revel Brewing Co., and more. A refined selection of roving canapes will circulate the rooftop – from slow cooked short rib croquettes with smoked chilli aioli and Boomer Bay oysters with passionfruit mignonette, to chargrilled prawn skewers, chicken souvlaki with yoghurt tajin, pulled lamb sliders and salmon creme fraiche blinis. Tickets are $225 per person and include food, drinks and entertainment from 5:00 pm. Tickets are limited – be quick to secure your spot.
The Lex, Brisbane City: There’s no experience quite like getting eye-level with some fireworks. From its elevated position at W Brisbane, The Lex is inviting guest to get above the chaos of the street with its ‘Smooth Like Velvet’ Riverfire celebration. The soiree will give guests access to the terrace and bar from 3:00 pm for those keen to catch the flyover, before live jazz kicks off at 6:00 pm. Attendees will enjoy a Nosferatu-infused cocktail on arrival before sitting down to a four-course set menu featuring Moreton Bay lobster rolls, cured and hay-smoked wagyu, grilled local reef fish and wild truffle mushroom ravioli. Get your tickets here.
Seadeck, Brisbane River: If you’re looking to do things a little differently this year, why not ditch the crowds and set sail aboard Seadeck instead? This five-hour Riverfire cruise is packed with perks across three levels including a drink on arrival, a light dinner of your choice and music provided all night by live DJs. General admission tickets also include access to onboard bars for additional food and drink purchases, or opt in for a VIP package to sail the night away in style. From the thunder of the jets to the glittering grand finale, Seadeck offers one of the best seats in town for the full Riverfire experience – and it sells out fast. Tickets are available here.
Stanley, Brisbane City: Not only does Stanley have one of the city’s best riverfront vantage points, but it’s also hell bent on throwing an unforgettable Riverfire celebration as the night sky lights up. As the biggest light show of the year begins, settle in for a curated, Cantonese-inspired share-style feasting experience featuring delicacies like smoked yellowfin tuna with bonita soy, Red Lantern wagyu ‘Xiao Long Bao’, Queensland coral trout, 2GR wagyu. Dining room bookings are valued at $185 per person with a cocktail on arrival and access to the deck for the fireworks, or book right on the river view deck to enjoy the premium beverage package, banquet and unlimited views for $295 a head. When you’re ready to decide, book here.
Subscribe for updatesRiverbar & Kitchen, Brisbane City: It’s harder to get any closer to the Riverfire action than at Riverbar & Kitchen. Solotel’s waterfront venue boasts one of the best views of the Story Bridge, with a front-row seat to the fireworks display. Riverbar’s Riverfire celebration will feature three-hours of premium canapes, beverage packages, live DJs and roaming entertainment. An assortment of packages are available – the Standard Package, the Cocktail Package (which elevates your beverage selection with Riverfire-inspired cocktails), a non-alcoholic package and an Under 18s package. Head to the Riverbar website to secure your spot.
Babylon, Brisbane City: Indulge in an evening of Persian elegance at Brisbane’s favourite Middle Eastern restaurant Babylon. Enjoy sprawling views of the Story Bridge with a welcome cocktail on arrival followed by a special curated menu, live Persian music and cultural performances. The menu features signature specialties, all prepared over open flames and charcoal grills, including hot honey haloumi, Goldband snapper with beetroot mousse and lemon gel and Turkish pavlova. Babylon is offering both standard and premium table options starting at $110 per person. Bookings for Riverfire at Babylon can be made here.
Free viewing spots
Catch the Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust fireworks without wining and dining at free viewing spots including Kangaroo Point Cliffs, City Botanic Gardens, Victoria Park, Mt Coot-tha Lookout, Highgate Hill Park, Captain Burke Park, Wilson Outlook Reserve and Bartley’s Hill.
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