The secret to having a fun-filled family day at the Ekka is all in the planning. If you live outside of Queensland’s capital and plan on attending our state’s biggest regional show, then a little planning will make a big difference to the success of your visit.
Here are our tips for out-of-town visitors for saving time and money, and avoiding any tears or tantrums at this yearโs Ekka.
Where to Stay in Brisbane That is Walkable to the Ekka
There are plenty of accommodation options located near the Brisbane Showgrounds. If you book a hotel in the CBD or Fortitude Valley, then itโll only be a short bus, train, taxi ride, or walk to all the fun of the Ekka.
Weโve even compiled a guide for families who are planning a holiday in Brisbane, with ideas for family friendly places to stay, places to eat, and things to do.
Buy Your Ekka tickets Online
Make sure you purchase your tickets for the Ekka online before you visit. In fact, this is now the only way you can buy tickets.
You can also save money by purchasing ride tickets or food vouchers before you go.
Map Out an Itinerary
The Ekka website is very comprehensive and lists all the shows, entertainment, attractions, rides and displays you will find at this year’s Ekka.
You can download and print a map and create a personalised itinerary on the Ekka website by selecting the items you and your family are most interested in. This will help organise your day, and ensure you donโt miss anything.
Planning your day before you go will also help you to make the most of the free events on offer. For families, thereโs everything from art displays, fashion parades to cooking classes for kids to check out.
Take time to watch the wood chopping, pet the farm animals, enjoy some delicious scones at the Country Womenโs Association, or chat with a farmer and find out about life on the land.
Getting To and From the Ekka
The most cost effective and easiest way to get to the Ekka is via public transport. Withย 50-cent fares AND a train station actually at the showgrounds (Exhibition Station), there has never been a better reason to catch the train to the Ekka.
If you are catching a bus, there are a number of Translink bus stops around the perimeter of the venue.
If driving to Royal Queensland Show is your only option, Secure Parking has special discount offers for car parking close to the Ekka, with several handy locations to choose from. You’ll find full details of the above offers in our detailed guide to how to get to the Ekka with minimum stress and maximum fun.
Plan Your Meals at the Ekka
The Royal Queensland Show can be a big day out, especially for families with younger children, and you will need to plan snacks, lunch and dinner, depending on how long you wish to stay.
You can bring your own food and enjoy it while watching one of the many events, or purchase meals and refreshments at one of the many food outlets.
A day at the Ekka is thirsty work, so itโs a good idea to bring your own water bottles, as this will save you money, and you can refill them at any of the water fountains located throughout the Ekka.
If youโre planning to splurge on something, make it a famous Ekka Strawberry Sundae!
Show Bags
For many people, a quintessential part of the Ekka experience is the fun of picking out showbags and rifling through the goodies when you get home.
The show bags range in price, from the budget picks (who can resist the $2 Bertie Beetle bag?) to more expensive bags brimming with products. If you are allowing your children to purchase showbags, be sure to set a budget and browse through the many options online first, to save you having to endlessly circle the showbag pavilion while your kids make a decision.
The showbag pavilion is a lot quieter earlier on in the day, and you can then leave your purchased show bags in a locker until you are ready to head home.
Alternatively, you can visit the showbag pavilion as your last stop on your Ekka itinerary (but be prepared for large crowds and the possibility of not finding the bag you want). If that is the case – don’t worry – we also have a handy list of the places you can buy showbags online.
Health, Safety and Amenities at the Ekka
The Royal Queensland Show is an exceptionally busy place, especially Sideshow Alley, so itโs a good idea to visit the Queensland Police stand when you first arrive at the Ekka and collect a free ID wristband for your child.
Remind your child of the importance of staying close to you at all times and chat about what to do if you become separated. To keep your child safe in the Ekka crowds, we have written this handy guide.
There are a number of toilets and parent facilities located throughout the Brisbane Showgrounds. These will all be marked on the map for easy reference.
You may also like to take some wipes and antibacterial lotion for incidental clean-ups on the go during the day. Remember to be vigilant about hand washing, especially after coming into contact with any of the animals at the show. The Ekka supplies anti-bacterial soap and taps within Animal Boulevard to help with this.
More information about accessibility at this year’s Ekka can be found here.
Ekka by Night
Image courtesy of ekka.com.au
If your kids are old enough to stay up for the evening entertainment and not too tired, it is well worth waiting around for.
The action begins in the main arena from 6pm, and continues through to the fireworks finale which starts at 7:45pm.
Entry to the EkkaNITES show is included in your general admission ticket and really does offer something for everyone. This is a very popular event, so itโs advisable to secure your seat early and send a member of your party off to gather dinner to eat there.
Sideshow Alley, most of the food outlets, and the Showbag Pavilion are also open until 9pm each night and it can be a quieter time to visit these areas whilst the EkkaNITES show is running.
Making Special Family Ekka Memories
Some families have long-standing Ekka traditions or favourite experiences that make the Ekka special and nostalgic to them. Others may be attending for the first time and are keen to explore all the Ekka has to offer.
Either way, the Ekka offers an amazing day of family memory making, photo opportunities and shared experiences that can be reflected on for years to come.
For more practical tips about attending the Ekka as a family, read our article here.
To find out more about whatโs on offer at the Ekka, or to book your tickets, please visit the Ekka website.
Join the conversation