Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Queensland crowds wowed by NYE fireworks
Brisbane New Year’s Eve revellers have rung in 2019 with a spectacular fireworks display.
January 1, 2019
Enthralled crowds have marvelled as Brisbane’s biggest New Year’s Eve fireworks display exploded above them to mark the arrival of 2019.
The dazzling light show was launched from four locations along the Brisbane River with tens of thousands of revellers watching from vantage points across the city.
At South Bank, more than 85,000 people are estimated to have packed the riverfront at midnight as the fireworks sprayed a dazzling array of colour across the night sky.
The crowd cheered as the 10-minute show erupted and then gasped with awe as bursts of deep pink, yellow and blue soared above them to a selection of top 40 hits from across the year.
Some people danced to music and other kissed loved ones to celebrate the passing of 2018, but most just stared to the heavens as about 45,000 individual effects were fired on a near-perfect summer night.
Queensland Police rostered on about 400 extra police for NYE, with large crowds also expected at celebrations in Fortitude Valley.
On the Gold Coast, crowds enjoyed fireworks along the length of the famous strip with the biggest displays at Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.
In the far north of the state, people are being urged to prepare emergency kits with a category one cyclone expected to form on New Year’s Day.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that torrential rain and destructive winds could cause major damage with catchment areas already saturated from the remains of Cyclone Owen earlier in December.