New Year’s Eve revellers are staking out their positions along the Brisbane River as the countdown to 2019 begins.

December 31, 2018

Crowds are building along the Brisbane River in anticipation of the skies coming alive as the city farewells 2018 in near-perfect summer conditions.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to cram into prime viewing locations across Brisbane to welcome 2019 on New Year’s Eve, with fireworks to be launched from four river locations.

The biggest party will be at South Bank, where people began staking out positions with deck chairs early on Monday. 

Organisers expect more than 85,000 people to visit the alcohol-free zone to watch the pyrotechnics, which will be fired from five river barges between Victoria and Goodwill bridges.

Fireworks shows will also be launched at the Eagle St Pier, Portside Wharf and Howard Smith Wharves.

It will be the biggest NYE spectacular Brisbane has seen, with 45,000 individual effects to be fired.

Two displays are planned, one at 8.30pm and another at midnight.

Brisbane NYE commander Chief Superintendent Cameron Harsley said Queenslanders enjoyed celebrating the new year and there would be extra police rostered to keep them safe.

“NYE is a great night, a time to celebrate with family and friends but poor decisions can have dire and lifelong consequences,” he said.

Police are urging planning ahead – this includes thinking about how much alcohol you’re going to drink and how you’re getting home.

“We have a very large policing response to NYE celebrations in Brisbane, Fortitude Valley and South Bank and we’ll be out in force to enhance safety and prevent anti-social behaviour,” he said.

Public transport is free from 8pm through to 5.30am on Tuesday.

Fireworks will also feature as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast ring in the new year.