Ekka 2015 guide: tickets, dates, transport, parking, showbags

Break open the piggy bank, limber up that ball throwing arm, or prepare for your annual binge on Strawberry Sundaes..

It's Ekka time. The 2015 Royal Queensland Show is on from August 7 to 16 and here is the information that will help visitors maximise fun.

BY NUMBERS

• 138th Ekka
• Queensland's largest event
• 800 plus volunteers
• 21,000 competition entries
• 400,000 plus visitors on average
• 400+ retailers
• 330+ showbag varieties
• 100+ rides and games
• 10,000+ animals
• 22 hectares
• 42 competition sections
• 4100m3 of sawdust and sand used as animal bedding
• 11,000 chairs and 1100 tables set-up
• Four 20ft containers of wood used in woodchop competition
• 16 tonne of manure removed from grounds each show
• $500,000+ total competition prize pool

I'm Kevin, and I'm here to help at the Strawberry Sundae stand.Credit: Andrew Meares

• 1950 debut of the Ekka Strawberry Sundae
• Prize pool of £175 for first district exhibits contest in 1891*
• Animal Nursery introduced in 1964
• 23°C average August temperature
• 20,000 seats in the Main Arena

Sourced from Showtime - A History of the Brisbane Exhibition' by Joanne Scott and Ross Laurie

Colour of Sideshow AlleyCredit: Chris Hyde

GETTING THERE

Public Transport :

Take a train to the EkkaCredit: Michelle Smith

Getting to and from the Ekka is cheap and easy with Translink's Ekka Travel Ticket – costing you as little as $6 for adults and $3 for children and concessions.

The Translink network will take you to the show from Gympie in the north to Coolangatta in the south and Helidon in the west. Ferry services also run between the Redland Bay and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

Dedicated shuttle buses and the Ekka loop train will be in place once again this year, check www.translink.com.au for further information.

On foot or bicycle :

Ekka map

Avoid the traffic and get some exercise by walking or riding to the Ekka. The Brisbane Showgrounds can be accessed via any of the seven entry gates.

Cycling inside the grounds is off limits. There will be secure bike racks located at the Main Entry gates:

• Gregory Terrace (Gate 1)
• Alexandria Street (Gate 2, off St Pauls Terrace)
• Bowen Bridge Road (Gate 6, opposite the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital)
• Bowen Bridge underpass to Victoria Park (Gate 7)

By car:

Parking will be at a premium during Ekka and public transport is highly recommended as an alternative.

If you decide to drive, parking is available at:

• Wilson Parking, Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital, Cnr Herston Rd & Gilchrist Ave, Herston
• Metro Parking, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 20 Butterfield St, Herston
• Secure Parking, Valley Metro, Alfred St, Fortitude Valley
• Secure Parking, McWhirters, Warner and Ballow Sts, Fortitude Valley
• Secure Parking, 55 Little Edward St, Spring Hill (entry via Hope St)
• Victoria Park Sportsground, entry via Gilchrist Ave, Herston
• Ballymore Stadium Herston

Car and trailer $50.00 per day

Car $30.00 per day

Shuttle will commence from 6am and will be on continuous loop every 15mins from Ballymore to Brisbane Showgrounds (subject to traffic conditions)

Drop off and Pick up: Gate 2a St Pauls Terrace (Canine exhibitors) and Gate 5a O'Connell Terrace (Pedestrian entry)

Special offer: Airtrain

The Airtrain runs to and from the Brisbane Airport.Credit: Stephan Bollinger Photography

Visitors travelling by air for the Ekka will have the advantage of a special discount on airport transfers of up to 20 per cent. Simply go to www.airtrain.com.au and enter the Airtrain promo code EKKA2015 to receive a single return ticket from Brisbane Airport for just $25 ($12.50 one-way).

Wheelchair access:

All gates into Ekka are wheelchair accessible, however, Gate 1 is the official drop off point – located at point J15 on the Ekka map.

OPENING HOURS

Milli Richards enjoys a strawberry on a stick.Credit: Chris Hyde

Gates open at 9am daily and close at 8pm. Some attractions may finish earlier. Check online to make sure you don't miss out! EkkaNITES starts at 5.30pm from Friday August 7 to Sunday August 16 in the Energex Community Arena.

SHOWBAG GUIDE

Shopping for showbagsCredit: Michelle Smith

Bargain buys:

• Red Rock Deli Bag: $4
• Cadbury's Special Treats: $4
• Rainbow Freeze Showbag: $5

New picks:

• Better Homes and Gardens: $15
• Monopoly: $22
• Monster Jam: $22

Searching for the best showbags.Credit: Robert Shakespeare

Adults:

• ELLE Australia Showbag: $25
• Morish Mum and Dad's Showbag: $23
• Athletica Health and Fitness Bag: $30

Kids:

• Showbag Carousel Superbag: $10
• Girlfriend Magazine: $20
• KRASH: Coolest Mag on the Planet: $20

For the Family:

• Cadbury Bumper Family Deal: $20
• Big Nestle Family Deal: $20

For the Dog:

• K9 Chic Dog Showbag: $12

Our picks:

Our picks for showbags

Roxanne's pick: The Sukin Pamper Pack: $25

"I've wanted to try out Sukin for a while now – I've heard a lot about their range. Not only is it an Australian brand but the products are also natural and environmentally conscious. And if I like it, I can come back for more because there's a 20 per cent discount voucher that comes with it."

Jason's pick: The Monopoly showbag: $22

"The timeless Monopoly has been my favourite board game since I was a child and it is my showbag pick this year. At $22 it will not break the bank– and it's guaranteed to not send you directly to jail."

Win:

Win the ultimate showbag.

The Brisbane Times, Bertie Beetle and Chicane Showbags are once again teaming up to give away the ultimate prize: a showbag worth a whopping $500.

The 28 showbags combine the best of what showbags have to offer – whether you're a sugar fiend, movie buff or health nut, there's something for everyone.

Click here, for more details.

THE EKKA-TAINMENT GUIDE

Singer Samantha Jade Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

One thing the Ekka will have in abundance is entertainment and there will be no shortage of live music with performances from:

• James Blundell (August 7 - 16)
• Samantha Jade (August 11 and 12)
• Stan Walker (August 7)
• Little Sea (August 8 and 9)
• Bonnie Anderson (August 10)
• Reigan (August 13 and 14)

Make sure to stick around for the EkkaNITES, beginning at 5pm every night. The nights will comprise of a new four-part show including true blue Aussie entertainment, extreme action shows, featuring the transformers, live music and fireworks to round the night off.

The Ekka-tainment also includes animal shows and competitions, as well as educational workshops for schools to participate in.

Twins Will and Jasper Weston with Patsy the cow a pat at the EkkaCredit: Michelle Smith

And for those thrill seekers, there will be plenty of extreme rides to get the adrenaline pumping.

People will be spoilt for choice when it comes to food, with restaurants and bars spread throughout the grounds. Foodies can catch up on a show or two, and adults can grab a cold beer at one of the many bars.

Don't forget to join in or watch one of the many celebrations of Queensland's proud agricultural events including: sheep dog trials, wood chopping, the young farmer's challenge and more.

TICKET PRICES

Jacob Tippo eats fairy floss at the Ekka.Credit: Chris Hyde

• Tickets prices:
• Adult - $30
• Child - $19
• Concession - $23

For more tickets and family deals go to www.ekka.com.au/tickets