The Ekka might be postponed but you can still enjoy a few Ekka inspired activities in Ipswich this August…
Visit an animal nursery at Haigslea…
At the Haigslea Ewe Nique Hobby Farm get up close to a range of friendly farm animals including alpacas, goat and chickens.
You’ll get your petting zoo fix here feeding and petting the animals.
The sheep are also currently lambing so there’s plenty of babies running around too.
Pro tip: Order a cuppa and slice of cake from the on-site cafe, sit back and let the kids use up their energy petting and feeding the animals!
Indulge in a strawberries and cream sundae or ice cream
Get on down to Ipswich’s favourite ice creamery at 88 Limestone St to tuck into some special strawberry and cream sundaes that the ice cream chef has whipped up!
Ungermann Brothers will have strawberry sundaes made with Dutch shortbread, homemade strawberry sauce, strawberries and cream ice cream and topped with fresh cream and strawberries. They are also selling cones (main image) with strawberries and cream ice cream topped with fresh cream and strawberries.
The sundaes will be available from Wednesday August 11 until Sunday August 15.
Sample some local produce
Head out to Watercress Creek Olives and Limes to taste test the local olives and limes they grow on site.
You can even enjoy a picnic in the olive grove with fresh olives, wander through the olive trees and find a shady spot to sit and enjoy the produce.
Taste some local gin
Imbibis Craft Distillery are open for tastings of their award-winning gin and shiraz brandy at the distillery, book in now.
And for the duration of what would have been Ekka until Sunday August 15, they’re running 16% off tasting packs online with the code EKKA2021.
See the Llamas
You can still get your llama fix, even though the Ekka has been postponed.
Pine Mountain farmer Shane Hancock takes his llamas to the animal nursery every year, but when the Ekka isn’t on you can see them at The Llama Farm weekends and selected school holiday dates.
Bookings are essential.
Take one off the bucket list
If you’ve been wanting to try hot air ballooning for a while, why not take it off the bucket list – it’s just as thrilling as a ride, but one that you’ll never forget.
The one hour flight takes you over the Ipswich countryside at sunrise before bringing you back down for a hearty breakfast at Fourthchild Cafe.
Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights is open and ready to make your dream a reality. It is a great experience for family and friends, numbers are capped at 10 in the balloon.
Have some rail fun with the kids
The Workshops Rail Museum has model trains, a train simulator and a Sciencentre!
Saturday August 28 they launch Ipswich in Miniature see amazing model buildings painstakingly created by Ipswich mini crafters and historical images of what the city used to look like. This exhibition runs until October 17.
Get the kids a $5 meal at CSI
Club Services Ipswich are offering a great deal for families with kids meals for $5 between August 6 and 15!
Order a strawberry sundae at Raw Energy
Raw Energy Springfield are offering a luscious strawberry sundae milkshake topped with chopped strawberries, ice-cream and whipped cream for the entire month of August!
Feed the camels
Feed the camels at Summer Land Camels for $2 a bag, enjoy lunch at the cafe and browse the shop for products made with the farm’s camel milk. Book in for a tour and taste farm tour or a camel ride!
Enjoy some great dining at Ipswich restaurants
Memories of India are offering a $10 takeaway and $12 dining lunch special and a $54.99 takeaway meal deal (feeds four people).
The Pumpyard Bar will be open and trading as normal.
The award winning Bakehouse Steakhouse will be open as well as the hatted restaurant Homage at Spicers Hidden Vale.
In fact since there’s no public holiday in Ipswich all our restaurants and cafes will be open as usual!
Drive to the country
Enjoy a country drive out to Marburg, stop in at Kholo Gardens for a walk and morning tea. Then head to the Marburg Pub for some lunch.
Take the afternoon to check out eclectic shops like The Soul Nook Collective in an old Church, Scotland Yard Antiques and The Black Museum.
Spend the night at a farm stay close by, meet the resident chickens and horses at Tallavalley Farm B&B.
Head to the Ipswich Nature Centre to spot some cute Australian wildlife and farm yard animals.
And do a tour at Naughty Little Kids goat farm where you can taste their goat cheese and gelato.
Calling adventure seekers
Explore over 100km of hiking and biking trails at the Hidden Vale Adventure Park.
There are bikes for hire and a shuttle service to help you get further into the property.
The park is located at Grandchester next door to Spicers Hidden Vale. You can even book a luxury weekend away here, in a cabin with an outdoor spa and tuck into a paddock to plate meal at the hatted Homage Restaurant.
Make sure you stop in at Kaysuelle Fashions at Rosewood on your way through for a spot of shopping.
Take 15% off a stay at Quest Ipswich
Quest Ipswich is offering an accommodation deal for the week. From August 9-15 get 15% off your stay by quoting “Ekka” when calling or making an enquiry via email.
Craving a weekend foodie escape with a side of adventure? Then see this article.
Pack a picnic to enjoy in Queens Park, Kholo Gardens, Colleges Crossing or the Flinders Plum Picnic Area.
