If you have a day off this Ekka Show Day holiday (Wednesday August 13) – 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 Ipswich Coffee Roasters – to try the city’s own locally roasted coffee in a warehouse at 7 Clay Street West Ipswich. Pick up a bag of beans or just enjoy a cup. 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!
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 in an open air café. The farm will open Wednesday August 13 for the show holiday and will have strawberry ice cream, sample bags and lucky door prizes. 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 extra special!
They've also got great burgers, waffles and milkshakes...
Try Ekka cupcakes at Trevallan
From August 9 Trevallan Lifestyle Centre are adding in Ekka inspired cupcakes for the week - think Bertie Beetle and Strawberry ice cream available from the coffee cart and ideal to tuck into as you browse the plants on offer!
Roar around in a Supercar
You can get a thrill with hot laps in a Supercar on the Ekka holiday at Queensland Raceway. The hot laps will run from 7am to 6pm and there will also be a drift playtime form 5pm-10pm!
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.
Hotel Commonwealth will also be open on the public holiday as will Orion Hotel and there will be a live solist performing.
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!
Grab a dagwood dog
The Retro Diner will be serving up Ekka food delights like dagwood dogs, ice cream sundaes and banana splits!
Enjoy a Raw Energy strawberry sundae milkshake
This month Raw Energy Springfield have brought back their Strawberry Sundae Milkshake - the fourth year in a row!
Enjoy the real fruit milkshake topped with ice cream, whipped cream and strawberries for $10.50.
Pet a naughty kid!
Head over to Naughty Little Kids for a farm tour on the Ekka holiday. Pet and feed the goats, milk a goat by hand and learn about them. See a cheese making demonstration and taste test the goat cheese and gelati. Tours are running at 1.05pm, 2.15pm and 3.25pm on Ekka Show holiday.
Tickets cost $45 for a family (two adults and up to six kids) or $18 per adult and $9 per child (1-17 years).
Fly high in a hot air balloon!
If you want to feel the wind in your hair and a thrill of going up high, 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 for individuals and groups up to 10, 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 15.
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
If you love browsing the art entries at the Royal Brisbane Show, why not spend some time browsing the Ipswich Art Gallery and the nearby community gallery, both are free to enter. Right now at the gallery is Clay creature feature, giving you the opportunity to get your hands dirty and make your own creature out of clay!
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.
Take 20% off vintage wares
To celebrate the Ekka spirit The Vintage Advantage will be open on the Ekka holiday (August 10) and is offering 20% off storewide.
Grab a farmers feed
The Cottage Restaurant will be plating up a share plate of score 9+ Wagyu Rump. The dish comes with kiflers, tomato, mushrooms, brocollini, chutney, onion rings and jus. Available for lunch 11.30am – 2pm and dinner 6pm till late at a discounted price of $64. A saving of $14.
Indulge in a tea tasting
Tranquil Tea House will be open on the Ekka holiday and you can book online for high tea, tea tastings or Devonshire tea.
The tea house stocks high quality teas and blends and owner Dona will teach you all about her favourite brew.
Kids eat free and a petting zoo
The Orion Hotel have a kids eat free special on EKKA Wednesday.
Bring your kids along to the Orion Hotel on August 14 where they can eat free all day long, there will also be a petting zoo from 2pm to 4pm, and many more activities.