A Bargain Day Out at the Royal Easter Show Sydney 2012

Rides

The annual Royal Easter Show in Sydney, NSW Australia, has been another outstanding success. It started on Thursday 5 April and ends this coming Wednesday 18 April.

The Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual event, an iconic showcase of Australian culture, heritage and excellence. It combines innovation in agriculture, history, education and entertainment.

Since 1823 the Show has been a hallmark event in the state’s calendar. Australian society and lifestyles have changed enormously in that time and today, the role of the Show is more vital than ever. It brings together country and city, showcases some of the things that Australia does best and reminds us that we share a common heritage that comes from the land.

Smoothie making

The Show recognises the finest achievements in agriculture through over 12,500 competitions that it organises. It also promotes a general awareness of rural industries, issues and lifestyles. It pays tribute to Australia’s agricultural heritage whilst providing a platform for the future. 

I was one of the thousands of people who flocked to the Show on Tuesday 10 and Friday 13 April. It was crowded, but not so crowded that you felt like a sardine in a can. A quite spot can easily be found to sit down for a moments breather before setting out to see the sights once more.

Pre-Planning

School creations

It is best top do a bit of planning before arriving at the showgrounds:

- study a map so that you know the layout of the grounds and where things are located

- look at the days program of events, picking out the 2 or 3 that are ‘must-sees’ for you

- decide if you would like to stay the whole day and evening at the Show, or just part of it. The afternoons are usually the most crowded, with early mornings and evenings less crowded

- explore the Easter Show website at http://www.eastershow.com.au/. It has a lot of information to make your day at the show more enjoyable, including suggested itineraries for:- families with children under 4, families with children 4-12, bargain day out, animal lovers, food lovers, shopaholics, Show traditions, thrill; seekers, and heritage trail.

Woodchop

- take your own food and drinks, or take enough money to purchase refreshments whilst at the show, or a combination of both

- take a long a hat and sunscreen with you. Wear comfortable walking shoes – the Show is not the place to try out your fancy new high heels.

- remember that your train/bus travel is included in your Showlink ticket cost

- as family with children can save money by going to the Show On Kids Day,  18th April, when children's admission tickets are cheaper, and rides are two for the price of one.

Budget Day at the Show

A day at the Show need not be expensive. Take advantage of the various freebies around the grounds:

- pick up a copy of the days program at the Show information stand if you don’t already have one

- pick up your free copy of the Daily Telegraph newspaper from their stand inside the entry gate

Central District Exhibit

- enjoy the free samples of fudge, liquorice, chilli, nuts, chips, honey, herbal teas etc from the food stands in The Woolworths Fresh Food Dome, and the bread, yoghurt, fish, chips, tomatoes, nuts, cheese etc from the tasting booths in the Woolworths stand.

- sample the free flavoured milk from the various milk stands around the grounds

- enjoy loads of free entertainment at the Big Top Amphitheatre. Kids shows include Casper, Sylvester ‘Move It’, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Yogi Bear.

- pick up your free cooler bag after answering quick questions with multiple-choice answers at the Steggles stand in the bird pavilion.

- see the demonstrations of sheep shearing and cow milking and pat the baby animals in the Animal Nursery

Prize Winning Dahlias

- if you are feeling weary, sit down on one of the massage chairs people are demonstrating

- watch the events in the Main Arena Sydney including the Royal Rodeo Series, RAS Stockmen’s Ride, ShowTime Freestyle MotoX and the Colours of the Outback Pyromusical.

- thrill at the speed of the woodchoppers in the Channel 9 Woodchop Stadium

- view the floral exhibits in the Horticultural Pavilion

- check out The Park - a new area jam packed with free family entertainment and activities including ABC kids stage, the Community and Cultural Stage, Farm Art in the Park hay bale artistry, Sinbad – International High Dive Show and Ashton Circus Skills Workshop.

Decorated Cakes

- view the amazing District Exhibits in The Woolworths Fresh Food Dome

- view the all the arts & crafts on display.

- watch the street parade as it passes by at 11am and 3pm daily

- the Grand Parade will be held for the last time on 16 April – head over to the main arena  to see this spectacle.

Tickets

Adult Showlink $36; Children Showlink $23.50: Concession Showlink $27.50; Family Showlink; Family Showlink $107.00

KIDS DAY SHOWLINK TICKETS 18th April

Adult Kids Day ShowLink             $36.00           

Child Kids Day ShowLink             $13.00    

Purchase your Kids Day tickets here (make sure you select the 18th April for your Print at Home ShowLink ticket).

Rides

How To Purchase A Ticket

- Purchase a Showlink ticket online and print it at home (requires a selected date and printer). Buy now

- Purchase a ShowLink ticket over the counter from participating Australia Post outlets (excludes Family ShowLink tickets, which are online only). View outlets

- Purchase a ShowLink ticket from CityRail Stations from Monday 2 April 2012.

- Purchase a ShowLink ticket on major event buses, on the day of travel (5-18 April)

- Purchase a ShowLink ticket at Sydney Royal Easter Show entry gates 

Carriages

Location
The Sydney Showground is located at 1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia  2127.

More Information

- The best place to see all the information about the Easter Show is to go to the Show website at http://www.eastershow.com.au/

- Easter Show ticketing and general enquiries: 1300 730 631