Free public transport and road closures announced as Skyfire returns

It’s been five years since Skyfire last lit up the skies above Canberra, and last-minute preparations are being made for its return.

Skyfire will be held on Saturday (16 March). The 20-minute main show will be launched from barges on Lake Burley Griffin alongside other performances and entertainment.

Food will be available at Regatta Point, Rond Terrace, Kings Park, Commonwealth Place and Queen Elizabeth Terrace.

Acting Minister for Transport Tara Cheyne encouraged attendees to leave their cars at home as they head into the city on Saturday evening.

“We know people are excited to support the return of such a longstanding and annual Canberra event, but please be aware that parking around the lake is limited for an event of this magnitude,” she said.

“Rethink your routine and take advantage of one of the many Rapid bus services to the lake, the direct shuttles from the City and Woden, connect from one of the 24 Park and Ride facilities across the ACT, or simply get active and walk, ride or scoot to embrace the festivities.”

More than 120,000 people are expected to gather around Lake Burley Griffin for Skyfire’s long-awaited return.

Free travel on Transport Canberra buses and light rail will start at 5 pm.

The last service will be at approximately 12:30 pm for Rapid buses and 1 am for the light rail.

The shuttle buses will leave City Interchange platform 3 and Woden Interchange platform 6 and take passengers to Regatta Point and Commonwealth Avenue (Treasury Building stop and Albert Hall stop). Return shuttles from these locations will begin at the conclusion of the event.

Extra light rail services will also run, beginning at 2 pm and continuing until 11 pm.

To help manage attendance at Skyfire, there will be road closures on Saturday evening.

From 6 am to 10 pm:

• Parkes Way – westbound: from Kings Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue
• Wendouree Drive: from Constitution Avenue to Kings Avenue
• Parkes Place West car park, Barrine Drive car park, Regatta Point car park and Rond Terrace car park.

From 9 am to 10 pm:

• Barrine Drive: from Albert Street (west) to Albert Street (east)
• Albert Street (east): from Commonwealth Avenue to Barrine Drive, 9 am to 10 pm (Marion, Walter Cafe, Canberra Region Visitor Centre and National Capital Exhibition guest parking excepted from 9 am to 4 pm)
• Regatta Place: from Albert Street to Barrine Drive, 9 am to 10 pm (Marion, Walter Cafe, Canberra Region Visitor Centre and National Capital Exhibition guest parking excepted from 9 am to 4 pm).

From 12 pm to 10 pm:

• Queen Elizabeth Terrace: from Parkes Place West to Parkes Place East
• King Edward Terrace: from Parkes Place West to Parkes Place East
• Parkes Place West: from the Questacon carpark to Queen Elizabeth Terrace
• Parkes Place East: from Queen Elizabeth Terrace to King Edward Terrace.

From 2 pm to 10 pm:

• Parkes Way – eastbound: from Coranderrk Street to Kings Avenue

From 8:25 pm to 8:55 pm:

• Commonwealth Avenue – northbound: from Kaye Street to Vernon Circle.
• Commonwealth Avenue – southbound: from Vernon Circle to Queen Victoria Terrace
• Kings Avenue – northbound: from King Edward Terrace to Parkes Way
• Kings Avenue – southbound: from Morshead Drive to Blackall Street.

Due to road closures, the Rapid 2 and Rapid 6 buses and local service 57 and 58 buses will be diverted between 12 pm and 10 pm.

Additionally, multiple bus stops within the Parliamentary Triangle will be closed.

Skyfire 2024 will be held on 16 March (Saturday), with entertainment starting at 5:05 pm and continuing until the show at 8:30 pm at Regatta Point.

Further information on affected bus stop closures and suggested alternative stops can be found on Transport Canberra’s website. The public can plan their journeys on public transport by visiting Transport Canberra or by calling 13 17 10.