If you haven’t been to the EKKA, you haven’t truly experienced Queensland! Don’t miss the grand Royal Queensland Show, the largest annual event in Brisbane, happening from August 12th to August 20th, for 9 days of non-stop excitement!
The EKKA brings together classic cuisines, traditional performances, thousands of adorable animals, authentic Australian agricultural products, and a variety of thrilling rides… and more, all waiting for you to challenge!
What magical charm does EKKA hold? Let’s go and find out!
What is EKKA?
The Ekka Royal Queensland Show, originally organised by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), was established in 1876 to promote the development of Queensland’s primary industries. From its early roots of showcasing agricultural and industrial achievements, it has evolved into a vibrant event that blends traditional elements with contemporary innovations. Nowadays, EKKA gathers a multitude of agricultural and livestock products for display, performances, and sale.
At the agricultural stalls, you can enjoy free food samples, including cheese, wine, honey, seafood, and even take-home free bread. The animal exhibition area features large cattle, sheep, and alpacas, and offers opportunities for close encounters with adorable creatures. There are also animal competitions, food introductions, educational activities, amusement parks, and thrilling stunts. Each day offers a different array of exciting live shows, such as traditional Australian lumberjack performances, extreme off-road motorcycle shows, and cowboy equestrian displays. It’s a fun-filled playground for people of all ages, combining labour achievements and a joyful ambience. Excited to try it out yet?
What to Experience at EKKA?
Food
At Ekka, the food offerings might overwhelm even the most voracious appetites! Many stalls provide free samples to satisfy your taste buds. At the “Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion” square, you can indulge in award-winning delicacies, including locally sourced fresh beef, lamb, and pork, as well as delectable cheeses—all for free!
Apart from the high-end offerings in the pavilion, there are various traditional snacks at the market stalls, such as cotton candy, oversized hotdogs and turkey legs, strawberry chocolate fudges, and classic jams—all of which evoke nostalgia and appetite year after year. And, of course, the exceptionally special treat is the beloved strawberry sundae! A small sundae topped with a large, fresh strawberry is an instant heart-winner. With creamy ice cream and a crispy cone, the sweet and tangy blend captivates your taste buds in an instant!
The largest annual event in Brisbane, the EKKA Royal Queensland Show, will take place from August 12th to August 20th, for a thrilling 9-day celebration!
Super Discount Days – 20% off ticket prices: August 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th
Gifts/Shopping
If you’re a fan of festival gift packs, don’t miss out on the various special gift packs available at the Gift Pavilion. With hundreds of large gift packs to choose from, you’ll be dazzled by the selection! The prices are incredibly affordable, resembling a massive market. They offer everything from cartoon character merchandise, everyday items beloved by girls, skincare and makeup products, sports combos favoured by boys, and even special packs for your beloved pets at home. Desserts, snacks, candies, and drinks are also excellent choices, as they can save you money with every bag you purchase. For the budget-conscious, you’ll leave with a full load!
Additionally, there’s a chance to win free gift packs through the Ekka Show Bag Prize lucky draw!
Once you’re on-site, make sure to use the map in your hand to explore the terrain, set clear targets, and act quickly, as many great deals are quickly snatched up. You can store your purchases at the cloakroom and continue to enjoy Ekka with ease.
Animal Wonderland
Since the carnival originated from agricultural and livestock activities, there are naturally many farm animals on display and for sale, as well as various performances, animal shows, and thrilling stunts.
At the RACQ Animal Conservation Precinct, there are around 400 farm animal babies, including goats, lambs, calves, turkeys, piglets, and more. You can experience cuddling with little lambs, observe chicks hatching from incubators, and even feed calves and milk cows, all filled with endless joy and wonder.
Entertainment Facilities
Not only is there food and attractions to see but there are also up to 100 outdoor amusement facilities and interactive games for both adults and children to enjoy. Similar to a funfair, the outdoor amusement facilities include exciting roller coasters, romantic Ferris wheels, charming double-decker carousels, thrilling whitewater rafting, volcano adventures, haunted houses, and even tall and long rainbow slides—making it a mini-theme park, a paradise for the young at heart! These facilities require an additional fee, ranging from approximately $7 to $10 AUD. The interactive games range from $5 to $20 AUD, and you can exchange your points or number of wins for various sizes of plush toys. There are classic games like shooting baskets, knocking down bottles, fishing, ball-catching, and archery, but the highlight is undoubtedly the “Pull-up Challenge.” If you can hang for more than 2 minutes, you’ll win a large plush toy and become the envy of passersby while walking around the park with it!
Performances
The annual competitive performances are also a major highlight of Ekka. Classic Australian lumberjack shows, extreme off-road motorcycle shows, and cowboy equestrian performances are showcased, along with monster trucks making the entire venue full of excitement!
The grand finale is the fireworks show, starting at 7:50 pm every evening, providing a perfect ending to a wonderful day!
Transport/Parking
Ekka is only about 2 kilometres away from the city centre. In addition to taking public buses, Queensland Rail provides special lines to directly reach Ekka during the event.
For those driving, you can choose from nearby paid parking lots and walk to Ekka. Recommended Parking Lots:
- King Street Car Park
- Cornerstone Parking – Royal Brisbane Hospital
- Secure Parking – Valley Metro Car Park
- Secure Parking – McWhirters Car Park
Additional Tips
- You’re allowed to bring food, but alcohol is not permitted.
- If you have children, you can get a free wristband with the parent’s information and contact details. Security patrols are available from 9 am to 9 pm, and they can assist with any emergencies.
- There’s a Lost and Found Center at the Royal International Convention Center (RICC).
- Ekka has wheelchair accessible areas, and you can charge electric wheelchairs at the Woolworths Food Pavilion.
- During the event, certain roads may be closed, and traffic may be congested, so be sure to leave early if you’re driving.
- Ekka opens daily from 9 am to 8:30 pm, and some rides may close earlier.
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