The Royal Adelaide Show is on again, and runs until this Sunday (8 September).
One of Australia’s oldest agricultural shows, the Royal Adelaide Show is for many South Australian families an exciting annual day out. However, with the current cost of living and housing crises impacting many households, attending the Show this year may put a significant strain on household budgets.
To help, Financial Counsellors from the Lutheran Care Financial Wellbeing team have put together the following tips, to make a day at the show a little more budget friendly. Last week we were also thrilled to share free show passes with families who may otherwise not have been able to attend, thanks to the Royal Adelaide Show organisers. (We hope all the recipients have a wonderful time at the show!)
Beforehand:
MAKE A PLAN:
Use the Royal Adelaide Show website to plan your day and identify your family’s to-do list with events, showbags, games and rides. Set your budget and stick to it!
TICKETS:
Purchase your tickets online ahead of time. If you can go during the week or after 6pm, you’ll save money. The best value for money tickets are the Monday to Friday family tickets, which include entry for 2 adults and 2 children (or 1 adult and 3 children) which will set you back $63.50 (a saving of $23.50).
RAA members get 5% discount on tickets so if you are a member make sure to use your member number when you check out.
RIDES:
Rides can be expensive, but the Discount Carnival Pass gives you 100 ride tokens for $80 or 40 ride tokens for $35 which is up to a 20% saving. Make sure you buy it online before you go and think about pooling with friends.
On the day:
TRANSPORT:
Parking around the Wayville Showgrounds can be expensive, so think about taking public transport. A bus, train or tram will all get you there – SA Seniors Card holders travel free!
EATING/DRINKING:
Eating at the show can be pretty pricey, so consider bringing a picnic to enjoy on the lawns or whilst watching one of the great events in the arena. (You can hire a locker for $2 to store your picnic basket/rug and any extra items instead of carrying them around all day. Just remember, it cost $2 every time you open the locker.)
Don’t forget to bring your refillable water bottle and fill it up using the onsite drinking fountains.
The Dairy Hall has lots of yummy samples and cheap snacks, including their famous cheese toasties. Kids can join a workshop and make a fruit smoothie or honey crunch yoghurt to enjoy in the Farm Kitchen. Alternatively, head to the Red Dove Café or South Australian Country Women’s Association (SACWA) Country Café for an affordable tasty treat.
Grown ups can enjoy a cheeky free sample or two in the Goyder Food and Wine or Taste SA pavilions
SHOWBAGS: Th
e Yellow Brick Road show bag continues to be great value for money and a novel way to explore the show as you make your way around, picking up goodies. At just $13 per bag (or 2 for $22) each showbag includes $32 of treats including a cheese toastie, a pot of gelati and lots of yummy snacks.
The Bertie Beetle Showbag is an iconic fixture of the show, and still quite budget friendly, starting at only $5.
ENJOY FREE ACTIVITIES: Enjoy the abundance of free activities and entertainment at the show – check out the exhibits, pat the animals and cheer on the wood choppers.
This year, the Royal Adelaide Show organisers have shared a list of 100 free things to do at the show that is well worth a look.
South Australian media personality Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello, with Lumo Energy, is again providing his Laughing Clown carnival game to showgoers to play for free. You’ll find it in the Showbag Pavilion!
We hope you have an amazing time at the show!
For more information about Lutheran Care’s Financial Counselling services, please visit https://www.lutherancare.org.au/financial-counselling/