The Ekka runs Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 August 2026, and from Caboolture Motel the smart way in is the train, not the car. You are a short walk from Caboolture station, fares are a flat 50 cents each way, and the new Exhibition Station drops you at the gates. Here is the full plan, from tickets to where to eat.
When is the Ekka in 2026, and what do tickets cost?
The Royal Queensland Show, the Ekka, runs for nine days from Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 August 2026, and this year is a big one: the 150th anniversary. The Ekka public holiday for the Brisbane area lands on Wednesday 12 August, which is the busiest single day, so weigh that up when you pick your date.
Buy tickets online before you go rather than at the gate. For 2026 an adult ticket is $42.95, a child aged 5 to 14 is $27.95, and concession is $31.95. Children under 4 are free. A family pass of two adults and two children is $92.95, and there is a twilight ticket for entry after 4pm at $27.95, which is a good-value option if you want the lights, the food and the fireworks without the full day. Full details are on the official Ekka website.
How do you get to the Ekka from Caboolture Motel without the parking nightmare?
This is where a Caboolture stay earns its keep. The plan is simple:
1. Walk from our front door to Caboolture station, a few minutes up the road. 2. Catch the Caboolture line towards the city. 3. Change to the Exhibition loop, which runs from Central, Fortitude Valley and Roma Street. 4. Get off at Exhibition Station, which sits right inside the showgrounds and only opens for major events like this one.
Fares during the Show are a flat 50 cents each way, so a family return trip costs a few dollars all up. Compare that with driving: the showgrounds car parks fill fast and cost real money, on-street parking around Bowen Hills is heavily restricted, and you finish a long day queuing to get out. TransLink puts on extra services across the nine days precisely so you can leave the car at the motel. Park once when you arrive in Caboolture, and do not touch it again until you check out.
What is worth seeing at the 150th Ekka?
For the 150th, expect the classics done well. The animal nursery and the cattle, horse and poultry pavilions are the heart of the Show, and the woodchop arena draws a crowd every session. Come evening, the EkkaNITES fireworks light up the main arena, and the showbag hall is a rite of passage for kids with a budget and a plan.
If you are bringing children, note that on selected days, currently 11, 13 and 14 August, kids receive a complimentary Dreamworld ticket with entry, which effectively pays for the day out twice over. A weekday visit outside the Wednesday public holiday gives you the shortest queues at the popular exhibits.
Where do you eat at the Ekka?
Half the fun of the Ekka is the food, and there is one thing you do not skip: the strawberry sundae. Showgoers keep coming back for it year after year, and the queue is part of the tradition. Beyond that, the Dagwood dog is the other icon, and the Show runs value-eats deals each year for families watching the budget. Bring a refillable water bottle and plan one proper sit-down meal so the day does not run entirely on hot chips and fairy floss.
Staying for it: when to book
August fills up, especially the middle weekend and the public holiday, so book your Caboolture room early. A midweek visit is quieter at the gates and often cheaper on the room rate. Have a continental breakfast delivered to your door before you head to the station, so you start the day fed and are not hunting for coffee on the platform. From there it is one easy train run to the gates and the same run home when the fireworks finish.
FAQs
Can you get a train from Caboolture to the Ekka?
Yes. Take the Caboolture line towards the city and change to the Exhibition loop, which runs from Central, Fortitude Valley and Roma Street straight to Exhibition Station inside the showgrounds. Fares are a flat 50 cents each way during the Show, so the whole return trip from Caboolture costs about a dollar per person.
How much are Ekka 2026 tickets?
Bought online, an adult ticket is $42.95, a child aged 5 to 14 is $27.95, and concession is $31.95. A family pass of two adults and two children is $92.95, and children under 4 are free. A twilight ticket after 4pm is $27.95. Buy ahead online rather than queuing at the gate.
When is the Ekka public holiday in 2026?
The Ekka public holiday falls on Wednesday 12 August 2026 for the Brisbane area. The Show itself runs the full nine days from Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 August. If you want the quietest gates, a weekday outside the public holiday is your best bet for shorter queues at the popular pavilions.
Is it cheaper to stay in Caboolture than Brisbane for the Ekka?
Usually, yes. Room rates near the showgrounds climb during Ekka week, while a Caboolture base keeps costs down and still puts you a short train ride from the gates. With 50 cent fares and no city parking to pay for, the sums tend to land in Caboolture’s favour for a family.
The Ekka is one of the easiest big days out to do from here: train in, do the Show, train home, and sleep it off in a quiet room with parking you never had to fight for. When you are ready, book your Ekka stay direct with us, and check the train and driving directions on our Caboolture location guide.
Image credit: Queensland