If you have a day off this Ekka Show Day holiday (August 16) – but don’t want to face crowds, come out to Ipswich and see what’s on offer around the heritage city and its country surrounds…
Taste local delicacies
You could start your day off with something healthy like hiking or mountain biking – Hidden Vale Adventure Park, White Rock and Castle Hill are all good options – but we know what you really want is some fun of the culinary kind….(ok, maybe that’s just me)!
To get your coffee fix visit Dancing Bean Coffee Roastery – to try the city’s own locally roasted coffee in a converted warehouse down a laneway in the heart of town.
Rafter & Rose is also a popular breakfast/brunch and lunch destination and here they whip up some beautiful flower adorned cakes and slices – that you can taste!
Cuddle a lamb
You can get your farm yard animal fix in Ipswich with a visit to Haigslea EWE Nique Hobby Farm where you can cuddle a baby lamb, pet a goat and feed a fluffy alpaca.
You can also buy coffee and sip it on hay bale seating in an open air café. The farm will open Wednesday August 16 for the show holiday and will have fairy floss, sample bags, strawberry ice cream and cake for purchase. Book online.
Tuck into some traditional show food
If you’re craving that strawberry sundae flavour hit and don’t want to brave the Ekka crowds, head into UB’s Milk Bar instead! They can whip these up anytime, but if you order one on the Ekka holiday it feels special!
They’ve also got great burgers, waffles and milkshakes…
Enjoy strawberry flavours at The Soul Nook Collective
The Soul Nook Collective will be offering a 10% off in-store discount for the holiday and have strawberry sundae inspired cupcakes as well as an Ekka iced strawberry milk available in the cafe!
Try some Tranquil Tea
Book in to taste test some local tea. Tranquil Tea is hosting tea events, including tastings and high teas at Watercress Creek Olives and Limes.
And if you book as a group of 10 or more you can get a discount on high teas with a complimentary local tea blend.
You can also purchase a cup of the Ipswich Breakfast Tea at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre.
Fly high in a hot air balloon!
If you want to feel the wind in your hair and a thrill of going up high, without having to go on an amusement ride, check out Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights.
The tranquil flights will take you up, up and away over the Ipswich countryside and back down to earth for a yummy hot breakfast.
They are flying during the Ekka period, including on the show holiday, book online.
Taste some local gin
While Imbibis Craft Distillery will be attending the Ekka showcasing their award-winning drinks, you can still sample their tipples at the tasting room in Bundamba on Friday August 18.
Try a strawberry donut waffle
Elderflower Cafe has released an Ekka inspired donut waffle. It comes with fresh strawberries, compote, rocky road ice cream and praline and is available from August 9-20. We can’t wait to head into the leafy cafe to try it!
View some art and play with clay!
If you love browsing the art entries at the Royal Brisbane Show, but don’t want to face the crowds, why not spend some time browsing the Ipswich Art Gallery and the nearby community gallery, both are free to enter.
And the kids will love taking part in a brand new Kids Clay Studio giving children and adults alike, the chance to get creative with their hands. Once you’ve finished your masterpiece you can either take it home or leave it on display in one of the collaborative spaces at the gallery.
There are two sessions daily from 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm, the cost is free and no bookings are required for groups of 10 or less.
10% off at La Parrilla
If you’re in town and want to grab dinner or lunch head to La Parrilla for a 10% off deal. Minimum spend to receive the offer is $50, available on the Ekka show holiday (August 16) only. Just mention that you saw the deal here!
Feed a camel
Book in for a camel ride, take a farm tour, stop by the cafe for a camelcino and visit the Summer Land Camels’ farm shop for camel milk infused products and vodka tastings this Ekka holiday.
You can sample award-winning camel milk, camel milk cheese, and camel milk gelato before browsing through the store for camel products and their much-loved skin and hair care range.
In the gardens, you’ll also get a chance to befriend and feed gentle camels and enjoy the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the farm.
Summer Land Camels are open from 9am – 3pm seven days a week.
See who’s who in the zoo…
You can also pay a visit to the Ipswich Nature Centre in beautiful Queens Park and meet pademelons, a spotted tail quoll or a rock wallaby to name just a few of the centre’s cute and fluffy inhabitants. Entry to the centre is free – but gold coin donations are appreciated – and you can linger at the Queens Park Cafe or wander the historic gardens which includes, vast lawns and playgrounds.
But the show’s not over – you’ll find even more to explore, any time of the year, in this list: 75 things to do in Ipswich.
