· Riverfire is apparently Brisbane's "biggest and most spectacular fireworks display". More spectacular however were the 2 RAAF F1-11 strike jets that swept low over the city before performing their "dump and burn" - now THAT was cool!
Medium exposure of what an F-111 'dump and burn' looks like
We got a pretty awesome view of the event from our 2 apartments on the 31st floor of our building in the center of Brisbane. The fireworks seemed to go on for a while and were very well choreographed - there seemed to be fireworks emerging from the tops of buildings all around us.
Fireworks @ Brisbane Riverfire 2008
Fireworks @ Brisbane Riverfire 2008
The 2 F1-11 jets were incredibly loud as they flew over our building. They both snuck up on us - before we knew it they were right over our heads doing their 'dump and burn' thing. All you can really see is a bright light in the sky but I guess that's better than what you'd see in the dark if they weren't burning their fuel. Actually we did get to see the planes on the previous day as they were doing their practise run and BOY were they loud! They came out of nowhere while we were lazily meandering through the botanical gardens - dad almost jumped into my arms!! Makes you wonder what it must be like during a time of war when planes like that fly over your home all the time and not for display purposes either...
Anyway, below is a video of the F1-11 as it flew over the city. Watch as it lights up the sides of buildings...
And here is another video of the second F1-11 flying over our building...
Riverfire was probably one of the better fireworks displays I've seen. I guess it helped that we got to watch them from our comfort of our own apartment 31 stories up high. :)
