Riverfire!

Start of Riverfire, above Story Bridge

We really know that we have been here for a year, because we have started having our second time doing things.  Last night we had our second Riverfire. 

Last year we were staying in a Santos sponsored apartment, with beautiful views over the river.  So many people that we met told us that we needed to make sure that we saw Riverfire.  Until we saw the fireworks, we had no idea what people were talking about.  Now we know that it is a spectacular fireworks display and the start of the Brisbane Festival.

Since we saw the fireworks from the western edge of the CBD last year, we decided to go to the eastern side of the CBD, to a restaurant in the old Customs House on Eagle St Pier.  We bought tickets to a viewing platform/patio on the river side of the restaurant, that included cocktails, canapes and three course dinner and wine.  The cocktails and canapes happened before the fireworks, with dinner afterwards.

We were a little worried when we were walking up to the entry way.  There were ladies im beautiful evening gowns and men in tuxes ahead of us in the line.  We were dressed slightly less formally, in casual slacks and jumpers.  Luckily we were on the "schlub" side of the restaurant, with all of the other people who were dressed like us.  There was a very formal affair there on the same evening, so we were not as out of place as we first thought.

Story Bridge Fireworks

The fireworks were amazing; 30 minutes of fabulous, colourful fireworks being set off from the bridge.  We were close enough that we could actually smell the smoke!   The setting was perfect and we will definitely go back.  Too bad that Riverfire happens only once a year!