If you have a day off this Ekka Show Day holiday (August 14) – 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
Start your day with a coffee fix by visiting 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. Follow up with a stop into Rafter & Rose, a popular breakfast/brunch and lunch destination where they whip up some beautiful flower adorned cakes and slices – that you can taste!
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 extra special!
They’ve also got great burgers, waffles and milkshakes…
Try a local brew!
Stony Creek Brewing at the old Pumpyard will be open on the Ekka show day. Enjoy craft beer, food and entertainment with the whole family – even the fur-kids.
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 16.
View some art
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.
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.
