RAAF jets weave through Brisbane’s skyscrapers for Riverfire

Air

04 September 2023

A Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler aircraft from No. 6 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, conducts a rehearsal flight over the Brisbane CBD in preparation for Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust on the 2nd of September 2023. Photo: LACW Taylor Anderson

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft have zinged between Brisbane’s skyscrapers during the Riverfire fireworks display over the weekend.

You’re out of free articles for this month

To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.

Riverfire, Queensland’s largest fireworks display has celebrated the start of the three-week Brisbane Festival featuring music, art, and culture from 2 September until 23 September.

This year, Riverfire shot off 11 tonnes of fireworks prepared by a crew of 25 personnel from 15 rooftops, barges, and bridges across the city.

==============

An ever-popular aspect of the 25,000-fireworks display included Royal Australian Air Force flyovers from C17A Globemaster and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

The customary Australian Army display by Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter was cancelled due to recent personnel losses in military aircraft accidents in the Whitsundays and Tiwi Islands.

Around 500,000 viewers watched the fireworks and a 400-drone light show from local hotspots including Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Captain Burke Park, Wilson Outlook Reserve, City Botanic Gardens, River Terrace, Victoria Bridge, Dock Street and Howard Smith Wharves.

VIEW ALL

The event has previously featured flyovers from RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, Army MRH-90 Taipans and EC655 Eurocopter Tigers and Globemaster aircraft, some within 70 metres from Brisbane’s skyscrapers.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.

Send me a message