Sundaes to come with a workout as Ekka visitors urged to walk due to station closure

Visitors to this year’s Ekka will have to walk further to enter the showgrounds due to the closure of Exhibition Station, it was revealed on Saturday.

With fewer than 80 days left until the show begins on August 12, Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced public transport changes triggered by Cross River Rail works.

A train makes its way through the construction site at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

With Exhibition Station being upgraded, Ekka visitors have instead been urged to catch a train to Fortitude Valley then walk 500 metres to the nearest show gate.

Alternatively, they could catch a train to South Bank Station then transfer to an Ekka shuttle bus.

Dedicated shuttle buses will also run between Woolloongabba and Herston busway station.

Bailey said public transport options would be sufficient to ensure no one would miss out on the show.

“We want to make sure people can get to the Ekka safely and easily to enjoy their strawberry sundaes, woodchopping competitions, carnival rides, and everything else that makes this iconic event so great,” he said.

“And in the future, people can look forward to a brand-new station.”

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority chief executive Graeme Newton apologised for any inconvenience.

“Demolition of the old station had to happen prior to starting work on the new one, and the phasing just couldn’t be avoided,” he said.

“A temporary platform was considered in an effort to open the station for Ekka, but due to a range of factors, including safety, it was not feasible.”

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said he looked forward to the new station opening in the future.

“While we would have liked the station to be operational this year, we understand the important work currently underway and thank Cross River Rail, Translink and Queensland Rail for working with us to ensure multiple public transport options are available for this year’s Ekka,” he said.