Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust 2026

Aquatic Permit & Entry Flag Application

Getting out on the water is a great way to enjoy Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust. Brisbane Festival works closely with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to allow for a strictly limited number of vessels the opportunity to safely to gain access to the two temporary spectator mooring zones established in the Town Reach of the Brisbane River.

Those hoping to bring their vessel into the controlled area of the river must apply to enter the ballot online for a permit.

Online applications will open on 9am Wednesday 17 June 2026. The ballot will close 9pm Friday 19 June.

The ballot will be open for 48 hours. Once closed, applicants will be randomly selected to ensure equity in flag distribution.

Please read all information on this page before applying.

Please note:

There is a strictly limited number of Aquatic Permits available and they will be issued via random ballot. Duplicate applications will be deleted.

This process is not for commercial vessels and applies to recreational vessels only.

Only vessels 18 metres or less and with an air draft of 10 metres or less will be permitted access to the two temporary spectator mooring zones. Personal Watercraft, kayak and similar will not be permitted.

You can only collect one Aquatic Permit and Entry Flag.

Aquatic Permits and Entry Flags are free.

Aquatic Permits applications will only be available online via this Humanitix application process.

All vessels must be registered beyond Saturday September 5 2026 to be eligible.

All vessel operators must agree to the terms and conditions of the permit.

Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will get an Aquatic Permit and Entry Flag. Your vessel details will be sent to Maritime Safety Queensland for confirmation, after which you will be notified if you have been successful. Please expect to receive a confirmation email from Brisbane Festival within two weeks. Any Humanitix confirmation you receive is not an Aquatic Permit and Entry Flag confirmation.

When and where does the river close for Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust?

Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust takes place on Saturday September 5, 2026

The Brisbane River closes on Saturday September 5, 2026 to all recreational traffic from 5.00pm until 8.45pm between Mowbray Park, East Brisbane and Cribb Street, Milton.

The exact river closure points are:

Downstream - Mowbray Park, East Brisbane – an imaginary line from Kinel, New Farm Latitude 27º 28.52'S Longitude 153º 02'.62E projecting directly south to Mowbray Park.
Upstream - Go-Between Bridge, Milton Reach.

Vessel Details

Regulations are in place to improve marine safety by restricting the size and number of vessels attending Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust.

All vessels attending must fly the special Aquatic Permit and Entry Flag in order to gain access to the dedicated spectator mooring zones. Vessels must clearly display the entry flags on the port side, and it is recommended that flags be firmly tied to the vessel’s guide rail or radio antenna. Tender vessels must also be clearly identified.
A dedicated spectator mooring zone established at Gardens Point.

Departure times after the event

All spectator vessels must be positioned and anchored by 5.00pm and will NOT BE PERMITTED to move or depart from those anchorage positions until the times nominated below, and as directed to via a text message sent by the Enforcement Agencies to the mobile phone nominated by the vessel owner. The staggered departure times from the spectator mooring zones are:

Gardens Point – departs at 8.30pm

What details will I need to apply?

ID (name and contact details)

Vessel details (name of vessel, length of vessel, vessel registration number)

Contact the host of Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust - Aquatic Permit & Entry Flag Ballot

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