The 141st Royal Queensland Show is under way, with extra trains, buses and a historic EKKA steam train among the transport options available to visitors this year.
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An estimated 400,000 people are expected to come through the Ekka's gates over the next 10 days, but the weather bureau has issued a warning for showgoers heading along this weekend.
The show kicked off on Friday with more than 30,000 visitors coming through the gates, including almost 3000 students and teachers.
The state government has encouraged visitors to leave their car at home and use the various public transport options to get to this year's Ekka.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a combination of regular services, extra trains and shuttle buses were on offer throughout the show.
"Queenslanders can catch any city-bound train and swap for an Ekka train from Roma Street, Fortitude Valley or Central stations, taking them directly to Exhibition station in the middle of the action," he said.
“Trains will run daily on the Exhibition Loop line regularly from 9.00am to 11pm, with a heritage steam train also operating on Ekka public holiday (August 15) from 10am to 3.45pm.
“Dedicated Ekka shuttle buses will arrive and depart from Herston busway station, which is about 550 metres to Sideshow Alley at Gate 6.
“The shuttles will run to and from Carindale and Eight Mile Plains, as well as high-frequency services to and from Chermside on routes 330, 333 or 340 that also service Herston busway station.
“In addition to shuttles services, there are also a number of regular bus routes that travel to Herston, and well as a number of additional trains to and from Nambour, Ipswich and Springfield Central on weekends, and I’d recommend planning your journey before you travel."
The Ekka Travel Ticket costs $6 for adults and $3 for concessions for return travel to Ekka from anywhere on TransLink's south-east Queensland network, excluding the Airtrain.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned showgoers on Friday that despite the clear blue skies on opening day, with a top of 23 degrees, "Ekka westerlies" were expected to arrive on Sunday.
The weather bureau said visitors to the RNA Showgrounds on Sunday should "hold on to your hats and bring an ekka-stra layer". Tops of 24 degrees were expected on Saturday and Sunday in Brisbane.
Looking ahead, six, seven and eight-degree lows were forecast on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Maximums were expected to start at 22 on Monday and climb to 29 by Thursday.
Ekka attractions on Saturday include the Governor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey, officially opening the 141st show, with the ceremony in the Main Arena from midday.
Judging highlights include cats, Pisciculture (fish farming), Stud Beef, canines and bush poetry.
For the first time, guests can take part in the Cooking School in the Show’s Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion, offering 60 free classes at various times during the 10 show days.
The finals of the Australian Armwrestling Federation Queensland Championships are also scheduled for Saturday, with more than 40 competitors competing in a double elimination competition.
On Sunday, judging highlights include canines, Shorthair Kittens, Welsh Ponies, Welsh Mountain Ponies and Clydesdale Horses.
There will also be the i-Sing Karaoke Queensland and National State Championships at XXXX Stockmen’s Bar & Grill from 10am.
The Royal Queensland Show is held at the Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills until August 19. For Ekka tickets and information click here. For public transport details click here.
