OTR has compiled a list of the top free things to do at the Royal Adelaide Show this year so that despite the increased cost of living, students on a budget can have just as much fun. (Image: Jade Woollacott)
By Jade Woollacott | @jade.woollacott
The Royal Adelaide Show is in full swing, but it is no secret that it can be a little pricey.
While ticket prices are unavoidable and increase over the weekend, concession and student tickets are marginally cheaper at $21.50 today and $26.50 for the show’s last two days.
Better yet, there are more free things to enjoy at the show this year than you might think.
Free tastings
The Goyder Pavilion, located to the right when you enter the showgrounds from Goodwood Road, and the Taste SA pavilion, located next to the rides, are full of food and drink stalls — most of which offer tastings.
There are small food samples sprinkled throughout these pavilions, which feature mostly local and some interstate artisans.
If you are a gin or wine lover, alcohol tastings are also in abundance. Whether you like the taste or not, it is a good way to grab a bevy that will not cost you an arm and a leg.
If you are a bit of a cheese lover, you can head to the Dairy Food Hall for a tasting. However, there is only one stall with three cheeses on offer this year: blue cheese, goat’s cheese and brie.
Main arena action
The main arena features a wide range of events across the day, but the best action is packed in after the sun sets. From 6pm onwards the main area is where you can find all the best — and free — action. Be sure to get in quick to find a spot because it will fill up fast, especially across the weekend.
The horses never seem to rest at the Royal Adelaide Show with show jumping on all day, but if you are after something a little more fast paced, the HLS trick riders might be more your thing. These girls know how to put on a show — both the riders and the horses. Decked out in bedazzled outfits these pros are riding horses in some extremely unconventional, high-risk ways.
Speaking of fast paced, the Holden and Ford V8 Utes go head-to-head each night to race for the title of best brand. These Utes hit some serious speed skidding and drifting around the dirt track. These drivers want the win and speed into the bends rather than slowing so, caution, if you are standing at the barrier, you will be at risk of copping a mouthful of dirt.
If heights are more your thing, but you cannot justify the steep prices of rides, the Airtime FMX riders are on every afternoon and return for their “nightshift” before the fireworks. Sure, it may not be the same as feeling your stomach in your throat as you plummet towards the ground yourself but watching someone else do it — without the safety net of a seatbelt — is the next best thing, right?
You can also watch a flock of “chickens” racing around the arena on quad bikes in the Chicken Run and some small-scale cars pushing around a large-scale soccer ball with Car Soccer. Head to the Royal Adelaide Show website to find the full list of events in the main arena across the closing weekend.
Of course, it would not be a day at the show without the spectacular fireworks display. Each night at 8pm, and 9pm across the closing weekend, all the lights go out and the fireworks, accompanied by pyrotechnics, light up the sky to the beat of a curated soundtrack.
Guided rooftop tour
You can see the showgrounds from a different point of view with the guided rooftop tour. Not only will you get one of the best views the show has to offer — perhaps second only to the top of the Ferris wheel — but you will get a glimpse of how the showgrounds are becoming more sustainable with 10,000 square metres of solar panels as well as two beehives housed up high. Better yet, this tour is free. There is a limit of 20 people per tour and they operate on a first come, first served basis. Find out more about tour times and where to meet here.
Animals
Animals are always in abundance at the Royal Show with pigs and cows on display, judging across the nine days, and opportunities to get up close and personal.
You can have your go at milking a cow or catch the sheep shearing in action. The farmyard nursery is the perfect chance to get up close to some tamer animals on a more intimate scale. There are even some opportunities to cuddle some of the smaller creatures.
Meet a superhero
If the eclectic vibes of the Market Bazaar call to you but you are not interested in spending too much, you do not have to avoid it entirely. Instead, you can meet the superheros of Gotham City as they stop by each day around midday.
Performances
Finally, it would not be the Royal Adelaide Show without a performance or two. For the first time this year the Adelaide Fringe’s Gluttony is partnering with the Royal Adelaide Show to put on a range of performances on the Boulevard Stage. Catch the 80s Ladies, DJ Neyla, The 60 Four, The Circus Firemen and more across the closing weekend.
At the Goyder stage, in the Goyder Pavilion, you can also catch local talents performing iconic hits from decades past with ICON’s of Music.
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