Crowds flock to watch RAAF air show Riverfire in Brisbane

Queensland's largest firework display Riverfire has lit up the sky in Brisbane to kick off this year's Brisbane Festival with a bang.

Transcript

00:00 An awe-inspiring display of Air Force might on show over the Brisbane River.

00:07 I feel wonderful, yes, incredible.

00:10 It's fun seeing it in action, yeah.

00:12 I had the sonic wave.

00:14 Families arrived hours ahead of the event to secure the perfect spot.

00:18 The noise was too much for some.

00:20 The RAAF's Globemaster dominated the skies before the Growler roared through.

00:27 But the Army's Tiger reconnaissance helicopter was a notable absence from the show.

00:32 The decision to keep it grounded made out of respect for the six US and Australian Defence Force personnel

00:39 killed in recent crashes in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

00:44 Earlier in the day, 500 lucky Queenslanders were the first to walk the Neville Bonner Bridge,

00:49 which connects South Bank to the city.

00:52 It's really exciting to be a part of something for the first time.

00:55 It's really nice to walk over that way and see some of the older buildings that we don't usually get amongst.

01:00 We're so blessed and lucky to be able to walk here.

01:03 And yeah, it's just a beautiful day.

01:05 The new pedestrian bridge will open to the public next year.

01:09 As the sun set, 11 tonnes of fireworks lit the cityscape from barges along the river.

01:16 400 drones will take to the air tonight for a synchronised light show with a Dreamtime theme.

01:22 It's one of my favourite days of the year. My kids will be joining me here in town to watch river fire.

01:29 I saw some pictures from last night's drone show and it looks like the drone show might even upstage the fireworks.

01:36 The event signals the start of the Brisbane Festival, which runs for most of September.

01:41 [Drone sounds]

01:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]