Learn how to save and make the most of the FREE entertainment and activities at The Show!
As the month of September approaches the excitement grows because the count down to the Royal Adelaide Show begins. Kids growing up in South Australia look forward to one of the best days of the year in Adelaide – the rides, showbags, food and endless entertainment.
But as parents we know just how expensive the show can be, especially for large families. The Play & Go team have put together our best show saving tips we hope will help your budget stretch that little bit further.
SAVE ON ENTRY TICKETS – Pre-purchase your tickets!
The first tip for saving money is to pre-purchase your tickets to The Show. They can be purchased online via The Show’s website or drop into any Foodland supermarket to buy them.
Save on Rides
You can also save up to 20% at this year’s Royal Show by pre-purchasing a BankSA Discount Carnival Pass. Purchase 100 ride tokens for $80 or 40 ride tokens for $35. Each token has a face value of $1 and can be redeemed at any ride and most games.
Make sure you swap your carnival pass for ride tokens at the Carnival Pass Exchange, located inside the Kidman Gate. Discount Carnival Passes are available for pre-purchase only.
Go After 6pm
If your kids are older and can stay up late, you can save on your entry fee when you purchase a ticket to enter the Show after 6pm on weekdays or weekends.
10 FUN FREE THINGS TO DO AT THE SHOW!
Take advantage of the FREE events and activities on every day that are included with your entry ticket. From the live music and performances to the horses in action on the Main Arena, there is something for everyone.
FREE Things To Do at the Royal Adelaide Show
Transport Options
Rather than paying for a car park, consider public transport. Check the Metro Adelaide App or website for schedules.
Kids under 5 travel FREE!
Kids under five travel free at all times when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Children and students aged 5 to 14 pay discounted student fares and do not need to carry student ID.
Bus
Plenty of buses stop along Anzac Highway and Goodwood Road, or if travelling from the city catch the 21W Show Shuttle Bus to and from the Showground. For those in the North-Eastern suburbs the O-Bahn Show express stops by TTP, Paradise & Klemzig.
Train – Adelaide Showground Station
Take advantage of the Adelaide Showground railway station located adjacent to the Showground north western entrance. Catch a Seaford or Belair train, operating every day of the Show. In addition, Royal Show train shuttles will operate between Adelaide and Adelaide Showground stations during off-peak times to ensure a high frequency service.
Tram
From the Entertainment Centre to Glenelg, the tram passes through the city and is the perfect option for avoiding the roads and parking. Goodwood Road (stop 3) is just a five minute walk to and from the Leader Street gate.
Priceline Stadium, Mile End – Netball Stadium
Sealed and secure parking is available at Priceline Stadium (opposite Bunnings). Free coach transfer to and from the Royal Adelaide Show operates at regular intervals from 7am through to 11pm (Fridays) and 10.00pm (Sunday through Thursday). Not available Saturdays.
Food & Drinks
The Show has a wide range of food options available for all budgets, but we know eating out is always one of the most expensive things for families to do. You are permitted to BYO food, so why not pack a picnic and of course, bringing drink bottles from home is a huge saving (glass and alcohol are not permitted).
A great budget food buy is a Cheese Toastie from a stall in the Dairy Pavilion (just $3.50 in 2022)
By bringing your own lunch or dinner, you can then perhaps splurge on a Show treat here and there, such as an ice-cream, hot donuts or some fairy floss.
Carer’s Lounge – Free Access
The Show’s Carers Lounge is back in 2023 offering a comfortable lounge area for the disability and sensory community. It’s a place to take family, friends or the person you care for to rest, change and feed.
One section is fitted out with high-tech multisensory equipment, kindly donated by Link Assistive, featuring interactive screens, bubble tubes, fibre optic lights and a ‘magic carpet’.
Adjoining the multisensory room is a kitchen and lounge area with complimentary coffee, an area for feed and medicine preparation, medical equipment cleaning and comfortable seating.
The second space has been dedicated to change room facilities. Featuring a height adjustable change table and hoist, it’s a space for both carer and person with disability to tend to personal needs in a hygienic and comfortable setting.
The Carers Lounge is located across the foyer of the Vili’s Dog Pavilion and is completely free to access. Find out more about the Carers Lounge visit the SA CARE Facebook page.
More Play & Go Tips for Families:
♥ Make sure the kids have your phone number – have it written on a wrist band (or their arm!) for little ones and be sure older kids know your number off by heart (if they don’t have a mobile phone or their phone goes flat).
♥ Set your child a savings goal to spend at the Show – pocket money, doing little jobs for family, friends and neighbours. Our kids have always regularly recycled cans and bottles, with the proceeds going to their ‘Show Fund’ each year.
♥ Plan your day – start planning ahead of time and set a budget before you go. Let the kids know what they can expect to do and see without expecting to buy everything in sight!
♥ Find free things to do at The Show – The Show has a fabulous list of free things to do included with your entry ticket. They also offer recommended itineraries. Follow the Royal Adelaide Show Facebook page for daily tips.
♥ Head to the Main Arena for loads of action day and night – free entertainment includes cars, motorbikes, horses and of course the fireworks – all free to watch. We always love to watch the motorbike and car stunts shows leading into the fireworks.
♥ Yellow Brick Road – One of our favourite activities! The Yellow Brick Road is a regular family favourite at the Show (half a million people can’t be wrong!) which takes you on a journey around the entire showground, collecting goodies along the way.
♥ Take a drink bottle for each person and if you need to refill it stop by the Show’s water fountain in the atrium (outside Venue Management Office).
♥ Make a wish list – go over the showbag catalogue and make a list of the showbags you plan to buy before you get to the show. Set a limit.
♥ Visit the show on the last day – some exhibitors and showbag vendors will reduce their prices towards the end of the show so they don’t have to take left over stock home.
♥ Pick up a copy of the Show Magazine with more tips and savings or view online here.
For everything you need to know about The Show head to the official Royal Adelaide Show website or follow the Royal Adelaide Show Facebook page.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change. Images by Play & Go or from Royal Adelaide Show website/Facebook page.
Image Source: Photographs by Play & Go Adelaide
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