The Royal Adelaide Show can be pricey, but we’ve found the best hidden gems so you can save up for Christmas and still have fun. (Image: Viki Ntafilis)
By Juliette Aubert | @AubJuliette and Viki Ntafilis | @viki_ntaf
The Royal Adelaide Show has come to town, so we were down on the ground hunting for the best bargains – here’s how it went.
A hot tip is to go during the week, when it’s less busy and cheaper with concession/student tickets for only $20.
Also, to avoid the parking madness in and around the showgrounds and to keep your trip cheap, catch public transport or even park a little further away and take a stroll.
Most of the thrifty items below are South Australian icons, which makes them even better; the show is the largest ticketed event in the state – the epitome of local pride.
Food
Melba’s Chocolate Dipper: $3
You’ll find Melba’s located near the Old Ram Shed, tucked away in the perfect hidey-hole, making this iconic SA chocolatier one of the show’s best kept secrets. Melba’s has been a staple at the show for decades and we can definitely see why.
Straight to the point, no beating around the bush here: the $3 chocolate dipper is a no-nonsense cup of melted chocolate, accompanied by your choice of a raspberry lolly or marshmallows. But it’s SO GOOD. Do not be fooled, this is pure decadence in a cup.
Real Cheese Toastie: $3.50
These used to be $2, so the slight price rise stings a bit. But hey, at least it’s still under $5, and definitely well under $10. Also, we find it really hard to go past a cheese toastie in general.
In 2019, there were 12,000 toasties sold at the show. If we hadn’t already sold it to you with the price, many Adelaidians agree: this is the Royal Show’s best kept secret for a cheap meal at the grounds.
Mountain Fresh Juices: from $1
Based in Mount Compass, this fourth-generation family-owned company is the definition of “bang for your buck” at the show.
Barely anything these days costs a mere dollar (let alone anything this good). So, grab yourself a bargain that is refreshing on more levels than one, and support a local business while you’re at it.
Fleurieu Milk: from $3
Strawberry, chocolate or banana – whatever floats your boat – Fleurieu Milk will provide it and you don’t even have to break a $50. It’s worth trolling through your purse to find your loose change for a sip of this delicious milk.
We suggest asking for a flavoured milk which tastes exactly like a milkshake. We were gobsmacked when we got our milk in the cutest cup known to man for only $3!
Fleurieu Milk is a staple in many of our fridges as the dairy producer is one of the biggest in the state. You can’t walk past this one; it’s located in the dairy pavilion alongside the Real Cheese toastie and Golden North Ice Cream.
Golden North Ice Cream: from $3
First produced in 1983, Gold North is an iconic SA brand providing great value for money at the show this year. Their quality ice cream cannot be resisted, I know we couldn’t.
Literally everything on this board is $5 and under, and they are all worth their weight in (you guessed it) ~gold~. Take your pick.
Dagwood Dog: $7
A trip to the show isn’t complete without one of these monstrosities. It’s a love-hate relationship, but at this point, it’s tradition, and you can’t argue with that.
Just don’t make a rookie mistake and opt out of the tomato sauce dip, because you’ll need something tangy to cut through all that grease (MasterChef eat your heart out).
Taste SA Pavilion Tastings: FREE
By this point, you may be feeling slightly bloated after trying all the other affordable goods we’ve mentioned so far, but you can’t go past free tastings.
The Taste SA pavilion highlights the best of the best in SA. Some of our favourite stalls were Le Deux Coqs for their pate and French salami tastings, Ambra Spirits for their cocktail testers, and Ragini’s Spice for a tiny taste of authentic curry with rice.
Showbags
Bertie Beetle: from $3 (and other assorted chocolate & lolly bags from $6)
Showbags are so nostalgic but are definitely a real pocket stinger, especially in this financial climate.
But not to worry, if you’re in the mood to take home a little souvenir, this is what to do: grab yourself a Bertie Beetle bag and your favourite chocolate bag and your total won’t break the bank.
Coming to a mere $9, it is the most affordable way to take home a piece of the show and not feel like you’re missing out.
Yellow Brick Road: $12 for one, $20 for two
Okay, we know these are technically $12 each, but we’re guessing you’ll visit the show with a friend/partner/scarecrow/lion/tinman. So, it really becomes $10 and, in our books, that counts. Also, it still fits in with the other items in this list in that it’s not going to break the bank (we hope).
Let this humble yellow bag take you around the show, perhaps revealing experiences you may never have known existed. Better yet, you’ll get a bunch of goodies along the way. What more can you want?
Some of this year’s Yellow Brick Road showbag highlights are Kytons Bakery’s cookie, Beerenberg’s jams, and Fleurieu Milk Company’s pot of yoghurt.
Experiences
Farm animals: FREE
Who doesn’t love cuddly farm animals? One of the best things to do at the show is visit the various animal pavilions as well as the Pet Centre at the Stirling Angas Hall and the BankSA farmyard nursery.
Fireworks: FREE
You know you’re from South Australia when you get excited upon hearing the phrase “9pm at the show”. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many times you’ve been to the show, there’s something about the fireworks display that makes your serotonin levels shoot through the roof.
So many pretty colours and intricate patterns beaming out of the sky from 30,000 individual fireworks, impressive is an understatement, and did we mention it’s free? You may even be able to see them outside of the showgrounds.
Goyder Stage Performances: FREE
Watching the stunning Postcards from around the world show on the Goyder Stage was one the most unexpected highlights from our trip to the show.
This performance was an hour or so long and mesmerising from start to finish, drawing massive crowds with their tricks, stunning costumes and beautiful voices.
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