Hotels to book to guarantee Riverfire views

Late September every year Brisbane ignites with a fierce firepower greater than anything else. It’s Riverfire night. Brisbane’s night of nights. Along the river, barges are loaded with fireworks and the Story Bridge is closed so it can be part of the fun too. Of course, rather than put your deckchair in place along the riverfront nine hours early or fight the crowds for a prime position later on, you could book a hotel room with a view of all the action.

We've done the leg work and rounded up this list of hotels that offer the best firework and river views from the comfort of your own room. Run, don't walk – these places fill up fast. Best book early. Real early. And be sure to ask for a river view room with unobstructed views.

Rooms with a view

Emporium South Bank

If you're serious about exceptional Riverfire views, then you can't go past booking a room at the Emporium in South Bank to take advantage of their sweeping views over the Brisbane River. Watch the event from your balcony or head up to level 21 for The Terrace package - four hours of bottomless champagne, cocktails, spirits, canapes, grazing stations, fire performances, live music and possibly the best view you'll find in Brisbane. 

Mantra South Bank

To catch an unprecedented view of the Riverfire display, book the one-bedroom city view apartment with balcony or the studio city view room with large windows at the Mantra in South Bank. You’ll be smelling the gunpowder from this close location.  

Stamford Plaza

With every room offering river views, why would the Stamford not be your place of choice for Riverfire? All rooms boast a large viewing window, or upgrade to the Plaza or Stamford Suite for a balcony experience. Brasserie on the River offers a seafood buffet package with exceptional views of the Story Bridge, or enjoy teppanyaki at Kabuki or relaxed dining at the Pav Bar before heading to the private viewing promenade to have a front row seat for the fireworks. 

W Brisbane

With views overlooking South Bank, W Brisbane offers rooms with sweeping river views. The Spectacular Room has over-sized windows to showcase the Brisbane River, so you’re guaranteed to capture the fireworks. For the full Riverfire experience check out the the Cool Corner Room, with wall-to-wall windows overlooking the river.

The Fantauzzo

Carved into the cliff under the Story Bridge, with an impressive presence, overlooking the new Howard Smith Wharves prescient, you're guaranteed spectacular views of the Story Bridge fireworks. We suggest booking the Deluxe Riverview Studio or Deluxe Riverview Balcony to get the best views of the pyrotechnics. 

Meriton Herschel Street 

Whether you’re wanting a one-bedroom modern suite for date night or a two-bedroom modern suite to house the family, Meriton at Herschel Street has got you covered with over 30 rooms available with views of Riverfire. If you’re wanting luxury for the evening, book one of the Penthouse Collection suites which are located on level 74 of the hotel – the view couldn’t get much better than this. 

Brisbane Marriot Hotel 

You can book a King river view room for you and that special someone or the twin double river view room for the family, all with unobstructed views of the Story Bridge. If you want to heighten your experience, we suggest the executive rooms which offer Story Bridge views as well as sweeping river views toward South Bank. Call to reserve one of these high-level rooms.  

Mercure Brisbane on North Quay 

With complete views of South Bank, the Mercure at North Quay can offer a room to suit your every need. Ranging from a standard queen to executive suites, levels 3 to 14 offer the perfect large windowed views of Riverfire. To ensure you’re booking one of the river view rooms, we recommend calling the hotel as we doubt you’ll be wanting a view of the city on this particular evening. 

Ibis Styles

A city-side vantage point can best be found with the river view rooms in the Ibis Styles. King Deluxe rooms will offer the best vantage point with floor-to-ceiling windows, while the superior rooms give the necessary panoramic views. Both options will make sure you’re overlooking the river and South Bank to catch all the action of the night. 

Balcony living

Mantra on the Quay 

With the Story Bridge on your left and the river stretching in front, you’ll have envious views of the fireworks displays from the river view rooms at Mantra on the Quay. It won’t matter what level you’re on, as these rooms offer a balcony and unprecedented views of the river in front keeping you right in the action. Hot tip - call to request and ensure a river view room at this location. 

Oaks Aurora Tower 

With sweeping views of the Story Bridge and further down the river, Oaks Aurora Tower could be your dream come true when looking to book a room for Riverfire. One and two-bedroom executive apartments can promise a high-floor view of the festivities as well as a balcony to celebrate on. Psst, request a room on floors above 30 for the best views.  

Rydges at South Bank 

Serving Dom Perignon by the glass, enjoy a fine-dining experience at one of Brisbane’s award-winning restaurants Bacchus before returning to your river-view room to watch the fireworks spectacular. Rooms upward of level 6 all boast a balcony view of the river, but we suggest going for a level 9-11 room for top views of the evening. 

Swiss-bel hotel

If you’re not wanting to join the crowds on Kangaroo Point Cliffs, you'll find the next best thing at the Swiss-Belhotel located only a stone’s throw away. The Deluxe suites will provide you with the best views from the private balcony looking down South Bank and across to the Story Bridge, while the balcony of the South Bank-facing superior river view rooms will allow a view of the sparkly display.

Oaks Casino Towers

Rooms are selling out quickly at Oaks Casino Towers so get in fast to secure these balcony views for Riverfire. Be right in the action with the one-bedroom executive, two-bedroom river view and three-bedroom apartments boasting balconies overlooking the river and promising all the noise you would expect from the actions – you might want to cover your ears for the FA18 Super Hornet when it roars right past your room.  

Oaks Felix 

You can’t miss the Story Bridge fireworks during Riverfire, especially when the Oaks Felix has Story Bridge and river view rooms available for the weekend. Grab your partner or family and enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your private balcony. 

Take it to the roof   

The Point - Eagles Nest

Book the Studio or Executive Suite to view the fireworks from the comfort of your room. Alternatively, celebrate in style with the Eagles Nest Riverfire package. Offering four hours of canapes and beverage service on the roof of the hotel with amazing panoramic views of the Story Bridge and South Bank – what more could you ask for?