The Ekka is Brisbane’s “Country to City” show. Officially titled the Royal Queensland Show, it’s a massive annual event that showcases the best of Queensland and has been a tradition for 140 years.
I was honestly sceptical at first – the thought of massive crowds, the same food trucks, and expensive hook a duck stalls didn’t fill me with joy. But you can trust me when I say – the Ekka is so much more than that. It really is worth braving the crowds for.
Here are my favourite things to do at The Ekka.
The Food
The food has come along way in just a few years. It’s no longer just Dagwood dogs and twisty potatoes – now there’s a whole range of unique food on offer.
There are food stalls lining the streets of the Ekka, but for the best bites you’ll want to head into the Woolworths Pavilion.
Here’s my list of everything you need to eat at The Ekka:
- Strawberry sundaes – the ultimate Ekka treat and the best strawberry ice cream I’ve ever had. There’s a reason this is so popular!
- Twisty potatoes – grab yours with chicken salt and thank me later (just make sure you’ve got water handy, because they are salty!)
- Tanghulu fruit sticks – strawberries, mandarins and grapes on a stick, coated in a crunchy sugar glaze. These look amazing and taste even better.
- Strawberries and chocolate – strawberry is the flavour of The Ekka. Look out for stalls selling them with cream, ice cream or chocolate sauce.
- Hoy Pinoy meat sticks – the smell of these sticky glazed skewers will draw you from the other side of the showgrounds.
- Thicc cookies – cookies so big they look like donuts. Try the milk and mini cookies combo – it’s enough to share!
- Cheese toasties – at $3.50, a Toastie Boy cheese toastie is one of the only genuinely cheap foods at the Ekka. Bread, butter, cheese. Simple but good.
- Fairy floss bacon – bacon on a stick, covered in fairy floss. More of a gimmick (it looks better than it tastes), but worth trying just to say you did!
- Fresh lemonade – after all that salt on your twisty potatoes, quench your thirst with an icy homemade lemonade.
Looking for more great food in Brisbane? I’ve got some excellent options here.
The Animals
Of course, one of the best parts of the Ekka is getting up close with farm animals. From huge Highland cows to tiny chicks, plus the ever-popular animal nursery where you can feed goats and sheep and see puppies, donkeys, ducks, and pigs – the animals are definitely one of the main draws.
Head to the Sushi Hub to watch sheep-shearing, or the Large Animal Pavilion where you can hold a chick, watch a cow being milked, and see row after row of ducks, chickens and massive turkeys.
The Ekka also gives you the chance to meet different breeds of cats and dogs. In the Sushi Hub, you’ll find everything from fluffy Persians to the hairless but velvety-soft Sphynx.
Next door in the dog tent there are hundreds of dogs of all breeds competing for “Best in Show“. The owners often bring them out to meet people, so it’s worth hanging around here for a while.
The Displays
Head upstairs in the Seven Pavilion to marvel at the best cakes, biscuits, clothes, hats and more from across the state. The cakes especially are stunning works of art. Do you agree with the judges’ pick for first prize?
Agricultural Fun
The main goal of the Ekka is to bring the country and city together in a celebration of agriculture. On the ground floor of the Seven Pavilion you’ll find interactive displays of wool, cotton, bees, fish, flowers, fairy gardens and more.
There are also heaps of activities to get kids engaged in agricultural life — from picking their own plastic fruit to joining cooking demonstrations with fresh eggs.
Rides and Entertainment
For some, this is a big draw of the Ekka – but honestly it’s my least favourite part. The rides are good fun for older kids, but the fairgrounds games are cleverly designed to part you with your money: $20 for promises of a “guaranteed prize” that often turns out to be something you could grab at Kmart for a dollar.
If your kids like rides, they’ll probably enjoy Sea World! Read more about that here.
Showbags
There’s a whole pavilion devoted to another Ekka institution – the showbag. These pre-packaged bags are filled with toys, sweets, and merchandise, with an overwhelming variety to choose from. They cater to all ages, so chances are whatever your child is into, there’s a showbag for it.
These showbags don’t come cheap – some cost upwards of $30 – but your kids won’t want to leave without one.
Ekka Nites
Every night after dark, the main arena comes alive with monster trucks, light shows and a spectacular fireworks display. You can stay all day and finish up with Ekka Nites, or if that feels like too much, grab an afternoon/evening ticket instead. Just keep in mind you’ll miss some of the displays that finish around 3–4pm.
When To Go
Ekka week is in August, and the city of Brisbane gets a “People’s Day” public holiday on the Wednesday to enjoy it. If you go on this day or over the weekend, be prepared for heavy crowds, long lines and plenty of waiting. It will be busy.
If you can, go on a quieter day like Tuesday or Thursday. It will still be busy, but get there early and you’ll find it much more bearable.
Getting There
Catch public transport if you can – with fares only 50c, it’s a bargain! Exhibition Station is located right inside the Ekka.
If you’d prefer to drive, there are parking lots all around, but some are closer to the event than others so check ahead. My advice? Get there early to snag a spot close to the showgrounds — but be prepared to pay through the nose. $30–$50 is the going rate for an all-day parking space nearby.
Ekka – Plan Your Visit
Public transport goes right to Exhibition Station inside the showgrounds.
Parking is pricey but available if you arrive early.
Get your tickets on the Ekka website. Early-bird deals are available.
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