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History & Memories

Bowen Park was chosen in January 1876 as the site for the first ever Royal Queensland Show. The park covered 6.8 hectares bordered by Bowen Bridge Road, Gregory Terrace and a creek which ran through the middle of what is now the Main Arena.

1876
The First Exhibition

The Intercolonial Exhibition of 1876 was held at Bowen Park with an estimated 15,000-17,000 people attending out of Brisbane's populations at the time of just 20,600.

5,000 people charges the turnstiles - chaos ensued until the mounted troopers were called to drive back the crowd

Visitors to the first show were treated to more than 1,000 exhibits

The show received 1,700 competition entries in more than 600 entries

Entry tickets were large and square for major patrons, circular for subscribers, blue for judges and red for stewards*

Staff included a nightwatchman, 40 stewards and more than 30 judges*

Entry to the grounds in the morning was a half-crown or visitors could wait until after the official opening when the cost of a ticket fell to one shilling*

Competitors were usually charged two shillings and sixpence per entry*

The largest prize up for grabs was 25 guineas*

The show closed at midnight on Monday 28 August, following a controversial decision to open on the Sunday*

Only three breeds of cattle were displayed at the first show - Durham, Hereford and Devon*

1877
First Ekka Ride

Introduction of the first ride in Sideshow Alley - a merry-go-round*

The total value of prizes and medals was between £500 and £600*

1879
Introduction of Queensland's Newest Technologies

Ekka patrons were amazed by telephones, microphones, electric lights and even an electric thief detector

The Ekka's first oyster stall was introduced*

1891
District exhibits

The first district exhibits contest was held - nine regions competed for a prize pool of £175*

1894
First Fireworks

The first fireworks display in the Main Arena, beginning another show tradition*

1919
First Ekka Cancelled Due to Influenza Epidemic
1920
Edward, Prince of Wales Visits The Ekka
1926
Show Traditions

Queensland Country Women's Association make its first appearance at the Ekka

The first night time ring program was held following the introduction of electric lighting*

1942
World War II

The show was cancelled due to World War II as the grounds were used as a staging depot

1950
Ekka Food Traditions

The now symbolic Ekka fairy floss, butter board sandwiches, Strawberry Sundaes and dagwood dogs were introduced*

1954
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip Visit The Ekka
1959
HRH Princess Alexandria of Kent Visits
1964
Animal Nursery at The Ekka First Introduced
2000
Sideshow Alley and Woodchop

Inner city bypass constructed, Sideshow Alley and the woodchop arena redeveloped

2010
One of the Most Successful Ekka's in History Held
2011
Grammy Award Winners

Grammy Award winners Wolfmother close the Ekka's concert series in front of a capacity crowd

2012
Australian First

In an Australian first, Ekka fans were able to customise their own fireworks on the show's free interactive fireworks iPhone app

2012 Australian of the Year and Academy Award-winning actor and producer Geoffrey Rush attended the opening day of the Ekka

In true Queensland style, a cricket match involving cricketing greats Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Ian Healy, Andy Bichel and Jimmy Maher, took place on the Main Arena on the final day of the Ekka

2013
Ekka Wins International Awards

The Royal Queensland Show took home the prestigious Best in Show title, along with 13 other awards, at the 2013 International Association of Fairs & Expositions Awards (IAFE Awards)

Over 400,000 guests through the Ekka gates

Over 54,521 Ekka Facebook friends - a growth of 75% from 2012

2014
Million Dollar Night Show

Australia-first million dollar night show Ekka NITES wows the crowd each night of show

Queensland beats New South Wales in the 2014 Ekka Rodeo

The Ekka runs over two full weekends for the first time in the show's history

British stars from the 'Inbetweeners' and Miss World Australia, Courtney Thorpe, visit Ekka

2015
The Year of the Flying Pigs

The Racing and Diving Pigs wow the crowds at Ekka, as they fly through the sky and dive into a pool of water

Seven-year-old Mater Vandeleur who captivated the audience with his pig training tricks made international news with his special Channel 7 news report

Never before seen fireworks light up the Main Arena

2016
The Return of the Old Museum

After 119 years, The Old Museum came back home to Ekka, housing the Flower and Garden Exhibition and Quilts Across Queensland

A new two day pass and dedicated 2 for 1 ride and food days are introduced, signaling major historic hip pocket savings

The world-class night show EkkaNITES showcases incredible female talent, including American FMX superstar Vicki Golden

The breathtaking EkkaNITES fireworks finale features a 20 metre high pyrotechnic tower never before seen in Australia, shooting fireworks from 49 positions

2017
Celebrating Ekka's 140th

The Ekka celebrated a remarkable milestone - its 140th anniversary

The RNA marked the special occasion by introducing a new half price ticket for entry from 6pm and not one, but two fireworks displays

2018
Investing in Agriculture

The RNA invested in its charter of championing and celebrating agriculture, building two new event facilities - The Pavilion and Marquee 2.

The Pavilion, completed in October, was partially used at the show to house beef and dairy cattle, dairy goats and poultry. Meanwhile Marquee 2 was completed in February and became the new Woodchop Arena, expanding the competition area by 50 per cent.

2019
New Park for Pooches and the Public

Alexandria Park was completed in April, offering two acres of additional green and event space, along with a refurbished heritage-listed undercover events pavilion known as Building 8. The park became the new home of the Ekka’s Canine Competition presented by Black Hawk in August.

2020
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

The show was cancelled in the best interest of public health due to the global coronavirus pandemic, social distancing measures and public gathering restrictions.

2021
Ekka Cancelled for Second Year in a Row

For the second year in a row, the show was cancelled in the best interest of public health due to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic and subsquent lockdown measures

2022
Historic return of the Ekka

More than 345,000 people came together over nine days, as the country and city were reunited.

2023
Return to pre-pandemic crowds

More than 400,000 people attended the Ekka, including Hollywood superstar Matt Damon.

2024
Rain or shine, Queenslanders support the Show

Despite three days of wet weather, more than 346,000 people attended the Ekka.

The rain event was so significant it led to the postponement of the iconic Grand Parade for the first time in more than 40 years on People’s Day, to Saturday.

*Historical information and statistics sourced from 'Showtime - A History of the Brisbane Exhibition' by Joanne Scott and Ross Laurie, 2008; and RNA Archives.

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