Ekka Parking: Here’s Where to Park at the Ekka!

If you are looking for the best Ekka parking this year, we’ve got you covered!

We’ve walked around the showgrounds to find our followers some of the closest and cheapest parking options for the best Ekka parking this year! Families Magazine are the recognised experts in providing trustworthy Ekka resources, as evidenced in our multitude of Channel 9 News appearances showing you how to save at the Ekka!

BUT FIRST: Make sure you read our detailed Ekka Guide so you know everything we know about making the most of your Ekka experience!

Is there parking AT the Ekka?

The short answer is no, there is no parking onsite at the Ekka.

But there is plenty of parking nearby.

Make sure you follow us on Facebook because we will be posting about our visit to the show on the first morning including hot tips and all the discounts we spot!

Secure Parking 2024 Ekka parking

We have a few ideas for you and we even did a test run to check out the Ekka parking options from Secure Parking. These are on the ‘other’ side of the Ekka to the ones listed below (by that I mean on the St Paul’s Terrace side of the Ekka, not the Bowen Bridge Road side of the Ekka.)

Previously we have parked at the Valley Metro car park as it is the closest Secure Parking option. We walked to the Ekka entry gates.

Here is what we found:

The walk from the Valley Metro car park to the Ekka

We made the short walk from the car park to the Ekka in around 9 minutes (the maps app says 12 minutes) and it was around 800 metres.

You DO need to cross St Paul’s Terrace which can be busy. Keep a hold of those little hands and look both ways before crossing!

Ekka Parking at Valley Metro

Located at 52 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley, approximately 5-10 minutes walk to Showgrounds.

Ekka Parking at McWhirters car park

• 13 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley.

388 Brunswick Street car park

• 388 – 394 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.

4 Mead Lane car park

• 4 Mead lane, Fortitude Valley

Chinatown car park

• 31 Duncan Street, Fortitude Valley

And remember, EKKA night parking is from $10. Make sure you check out all the Secure parking options and T&C’s before you book!

Is there FREE parking at the Ekka?

Yes – there is free Ekka parking in 2024.

On weekends and if you are quick you can park very near the Ekka! We found that there is FREE Ekka parking on Gilchrist Avenue, but it’s only on weekends. You’d probably need to be parked up by 9am to secure a spot, but once parked it’s only a 8 minute walk to Gate 6 of Ekka. Watch my Facebook Live video where I tell you about this parking spot near the Ekka.

There is also free parking on Victoria Park Road on the weekends – but it is a longer (mostly through parkland) walk…

If you miss out on a spot on the street, there is additional parking on the Victoria Park sports fields off Gilchrist Avenue available for $35 per day. There are other places nearby – keep reading!

Another very close parking option is at Cornerstone Parking on 325 Herston Rd.

This undercover car park is next to the Royal Brisbane Hospital and is close to the Herston Quarter, UQ Oral Health Centre, RNA Showgrounds and CBD. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this carpark is accessed from Herston Road or Gilchrist Avenue. They do not offer pre-booking online for the Ekka, they only offer drive up prices. At time of writing their daily rate was $45 a day.

You can check out their rates for parking for the Ekka here

Trains to the Ekka

Due to the construction of Cross River Rail, Exhibition station won’t be operating during Ekka in 2024. You’ll still be able to catch a ride to the Ekka with public transport options including trains from nearby stops and stations. You can find out more about our public transport options in our Ekka Guide here.

Looking for CHEAPER Ekka entry and ride passes?

We’ve got a discount code for Ekka entry as well as the scoop on free and discounted food and rides – click here.

As the sun sets over Brisbane the Ekka excitement ramps up with a HUGE 1.5 hour EkkaNITES program sure to delight families. We’ve got the low down on Ekka fireworks!

Looking for accommodation near the Ekka?

Check out these options:

• Budget: Lylo – Fortitude Valley
• Mid-range: Rydges – Fortitude Valley
• Luxury: Calile Hotel – Fortitude Valley