Brisbane Showgrounds is Brisbane’s big events precinct, at 600 Gregory Terrace in Bowen Hills, and the home of the Ekka every August. It hosts more than 250 events a year, with about a million visitors in total, from concerts and car shows to expos and conventions.
It is not a place you wander into on a quiet weekday. You go for an event, so the useful things to know are what is on, where to park and which station to use.
What is on at the Brisbane Showgrounds
The Showgrounds lists music festivals and concerts, car shows, gaming, hobby and model expos, wedding expos, motorsport expos, caravan shows and sporting events. The biggest by far is the Royal Queensland Show, the Ekka, which the Showgrounds calls Queensland’s largest event. See our guides to the Ekka and Ekka 2027 for dates and tickets.
The calendar changes all the time, so check the Brisbane Showgrounds What’s On page before you make plans.
A short history of the Showgrounds
The Showgrounds is the Ekka’s original home. The first show was held here in 1876, and the site has been on the Queensland Heritage Register since 2003. Heritage buildings include the Exhibition Building, built in 1891 and now known as the Old Museum, and the John MacDonald Stand, built in 1906, with its ornate dome and four-faced clock.
King Street food and shops
King Street is the dining and retail hub at the Showgrounds, beside the Royal International Convention Centre. It has more than 25 specialty stores, and the King Street directory lists restaurants such as Montrachet, Il Verde, 3 Bros Korean Bistro, El Camino and Yum Char, bars including Bar Gusto and Dirty Harry’s Bar, and Archie Brothers and Strike Bowling for arcade games and bowling.
Tenants and hours change, so check the King Street eat, drink and play page before you go. For a nearby alternative, see Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills.
Parking at Brisbane Showgrounds
There are three paid, undercover car parks with more than 1,100 bays between them.
- Pavilion Car Park: enter from Gate 5 off O’Connell Terrace. 650 bays, open 24 hours, 4 m height limit. Best for the main arena, Sideshow Alley and Marquees 1 and 2. No pre-booking.
- Royal ICC car park: enter at 600 Gregory Terrace. 214 bays, open 5 am to midnight, 3 m height limit. Best for the convention centre, King Street and the Exhibition Building. Availability depends on events.
- King Street car park: enter via Machinery Street or Alexandria Street. 380 bays, open 24 hours, 2.2 m height limit. Card only, no cash. Best for John Reid Pavilion and Expo Place.
At the Royal ICC car park the Showgrounds lists $15 for up to 30 minutes, $25 for up to 2 hours, $34 for 4 hours or more and $25 for a weekend day. Event pricing can differ, so check the directions and parking page.
Getting there by train, bus and bike
- Train: Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley stations are each less than a 10 minute walk. Exhibition Station, in the heart of the Showgrounds, runs for major events.
- Bus: the main stops are on Bowen Bridge Road outside The Old Museum and on St Pauls Terrace near King Street. The free City Loop serves the CBD.
- Bike: bike racks are along King Street.
- Taxi and rideshare: taxi zones are outside the Rydges Hotel and Fat Dumpling on King Street.
Plan trips with the Translink website or call 13 12 30. By car, the Showgrounds is about 3 km by road from the CBD, about 10 minutes without traffic.
Accessibility
The Royal ICC is wheelchair accessible on both levels, with accessible parking on the ground level and accessible toilets on both. Wheelchairs are available from the Customer Relations team. The Showgrounds has an accessibility page for the rest of the precinct.
Planning your visit
- How long: depends on the event. Plan a full day for the Ekka or a festival.
- Cost: entry depends on the event and its ticket. Parking is extra.
- Contact: +61 7 3253 3900.
Nearby
- Bowen Hills – the Old Museum, Bowen Park and King Street.
- Fortitude Valley – a short walk away for bars, food and live music.
- Brisbane Powerhouse – theatres and markets on the river at New Farm.
- Handmade Design Market Brisbane – held at The Old Museum, just along Gregory Terrace.
- Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane’s other major event venue.
Browse more entertainment in Brisbane.
You might also like
- Wheel of Brisbane (South Brisbane)
- Brisbane Convention Centre (South Brisbane)
- The Gabba (Woolloongabba)
Quick answers
Where is Brisbane Showgrounds?
At 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, about 3 km by road from the Brisbane CBD.
Is there parking at the Brisbane Showgrounds?
Yes. There are three paid undercover car parks with more than 1,100 bays: the Pavilion Car Park (Gate 5, O’Connell Terrace), the Royal ICC car park and the King Street car park.
What train station is closest to the Brisbane Showgrounds?
Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley stations are each less than a 10 minute walk. Exhibition Station, inside the Showgrounds, runs for major events.
Where is the Ekka held?
At the Brisbane Showgrounds, which the Ekka calls its original birthplace.
Can I eat at the Brisbane Showgrounds?
King Street, beside the Royal ICC, has restaurants, bars and cafes. Event food depends on the event.
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