Tips for Attending the Ekka as a Family

As the longest running and largest public event in Queensland, the Ekka is the highlight of the Brisbane calendar. And why wouldn’t an occasion that involves rides and attractions, cute and cuddly animals, shows and showbags be something to look forward to?!

Kids especially await this must-visit annual event with eager anticipation and excitement, so, to help you get the most out of this awesome experience, we’ve come up with our top tips for attending the Ekka as a family.

Preparing for the Ekka

1. Buy your Ekka tickets online, in advance to get the best deal. NO tickets will be sold at the gate!
2. Get the kids to choose their showbags in advance. This will not only save you time at the show, but also help to avoid the temptation of the kids seeing and wanting everything on offer.
3. Plan your day before you go. You don’t have to plan every single stop throughout your day, but having a rough idea of what you want to see and when can help to avoid missing anything. 
4. If the kids are allowed to go on rides, let them know how many or which ones they can go one before you set off to avoid any meltdowns or over-spending when you’re there. You may like to consider purchasing an Ekka Fun Pass. 
5. Put safety first by coming up with a family action plan to keep kids safe amongst the crowds of attendees, and ensure everyone knows what to do in case they get lost or separated from the group. This great article is packed with information on keeping kids safe in a crowd.

Packing for the Ekka

1. Bring your own food and water if you want to save money on refreshments in the Ekka.
2. Bring baby wipes, as the Ekka Strawberry Sundaes and fairy floss are bound to leave the kids a little sticky!
3. We all want to avoid coughs and colds which are common in the cooler months, so be sure to bring disinfectant or antibacterial hand gel to help prevent the spread of germs and keep little ones clean. You may even consider wearing a mask. 
4. If your kids aren’t too big for a pram, be sure to bring it! Little legs get tired quickly on such a big day out, and being able to give them a rest in their stroller is way easier on parents than having to carry them around all day! You can even hire a pram at the Ekka if you don’t have one. 
5. If little ones are sensitive to loud noises, make sure you remember to bring ear protectors for watching the EkkaNITES show in the evening.
6. There may be times when you have to leave prams, backpacks and other items unattended, so please leave valuables safely at home. 

Getting to the Ekka

1. Check out our guide to getting to and from the Ekka with minimal stress and maximum fun.
2. If you’re travelling from far away, be sure to pack snacks, and other things to help keep the kids amused on the journey.
3. Our top tip is to catch a train to the Ekka if you can. It is much easier to park at a station near home than to find a parking spot near the show grounds. The Exhibition Station is now open and drops you off right in the thick of things.

When You Arrive at the Ekka

1. After arriving head straight to the Ekka Police Station marquee on Gregory Terrace where you can find free ID bands to put on all the kids, and chat to the police about what to do if someone becomes lost. Brisbane Kids has also written this guide to keeping kids safe in crowds, which gives you lots of ideas to implement on your Ekka visit.
2. Make the RACQ Animal Nursery the first stop on your visit to the Ekka to enjoy lots of feeding fun and cuddles with the cutest baby animals before this area gets too busy.
3. Remember there are self-service, key-operated lockers outside the Showbag Pavilion in case you bring or buy things that you don’t want to carry around all day. Plus, they only cost $2! Other lockers are located around the show grounds, with the main, all-day locker hire located under the John MacDonald Stand. 
4. Get a pass out so you can go home for little ones’ naps in the middle of the day, or for dinner between all the daytime fun and the evening EkkaNITES show and fireworks. It can be a long day for little ones, so a break may be just what you need in order to last the distance.
5. Let out your inner child! Have fun with the kids by reliving all your favourite Ekka memories from days gone by. They’ll love finding out what you enjoyed most about visiting the Ekka as a child, and will love it even more to share those experiences with you.
6. Make sure you snap some photos of your favourite moments form the Ekka, so you can reminisce in years to come, but don’t be stuck behind the camera all day. Be present and enjoy a fun outing with your family and/or friends. 

To find out more about all the attractions and entertainment at this year’s Ekka, and to book your tickets, please visit ekka.com.au