Make sure you take a look at the Canegrowers stand at EKKA where a set of headphones takes you into the daily life of a grower
Sugarcane will take centre stage at the Royal Queensland Show (EKKA) from 9 to 17 August at the Brisbane Showgrounds, with CANEGROWERS on hand to give visitors a first-hand look at one of Queensland’s greatest agricultural endeavours.
Hosted in partnership with Sunshine Sugar and Sugar Research Australia, the sugarcane stand has become a crowd favourite in the Ekka’s Agricultural Hall, drawing thousands of visitors each year and proving there’s still plenty of curiosity and pride in the industry that helped build regional Queensland.
The stand’s popular virtual reality experience is back, giving people of all ages the chance to step inside the life of a sugarcane farmer, from paddock to harvester to mill and beyond, through high-quality headsets and immersive 360-degree footage offering a fresh take on the story of sugar.
But it’s not just the industry telling its story. Real growers will be on the stand throughout the week, chatting with visitors, answering questions, and sharing what life on the land is really like.
Visitors also regularly bring their own stories, from childhood holidays in cane country, memories of chewing stalks straight from the paddock, or family connections to the industry. These shared yarns help bridge the city-country divide.
CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens will once again spend time on the stand this year, indicating, “When you work the stand, you realise how many people have fond memories or a real interest in sugarcane.
“They remember the smell, the taste, the sound of cane being cut – and they’re genuinely keen to hear how farming works today. As growers, it’s great to be able to share that first-hand,” Owen Menkens concluded.
It’s also a chance to highlight where the industry is headed, with growing prospects in green electricity, biofuels like sustainable aviation fuel, and bioplastics made from cane fibre and by-products, all part of a smarter, more sustainable regional economy.
Get along to EKKA
For the first time ever, Showgoers will be able to pre-order a famous Ekka Strawberry Sundae when they purchase their Ekka tickets online. The brand-new bundle of 4 for $25 will deliver savings to those who plan their strawberry sundae purchase.
Event organisers are expecting Queensland’s largest community event to be well attended this year with 400,000 visitors forecast.
EKKA will feature all the traditional and unique Show experiences the public know and love such as our competitions, animals, rides, showbags, spectacular entertainment including the night show and fireworks plus some of the nation’s finest food and wine.
The Royal Queensland Show (EKKA) is Queensland’s largest and most visited annual event, attracting on average 400,000 people. EKKA will run for 9 days from the Saturday 9 to Sunday 17th August 2025.
The main entrance, Gate 1, is located at 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills QLD. Tickets are available online here.
