The Royal Adelaide Show on a budget: here’s how to get bang for your buck this year

Whether you have a $50 budget or cash to splash at this year’s Royal Show, we’ve put together fun guides to satisfy all families – and wallets.

Royal Adelaide Show goers don’t need to have a royal budget.

Back after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the beloved event has plenty of options for families of all sizes, with hundreds of free things to do and lots of food, rides and treats to suit any budget.

Adelaide grandmother of four, Susan Prettejohn, said she was happy the show will return to Wayville from September 3-11.

She said the cancellation of the annual event was like having “an arm chopped off”.

The 69-year-old from West Lakes said the best way families can budget for the show is to have a good plan in place.

Susan Prettejohn with her granddaughter, Clara Burns, 4, at the Living Colour Nursery in Penfield, ahead of the flower display at the Royal Adelaide Show. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I’d have a chat to my grandchildren about what they would like to see and what is important to them, then budget around that,” she said.

Keeping an eye on ticket promotions is also a must, said Ms Prettejohn.

Ms Prettejohn said she would also take snacks with her and then buy the kids a small treat.

Show organisers are anticipating upwards of 400,000 people through the gates for the nine-day event, a quarter coming from regional SA and interstate, and an injection of around $170m into the local economy.

$50 budget – singles or couples

Check out the Royal Adelaide beer and cider awards

Watch the competitions at the Dog Pavillion

Grab an iconic dagwood dog or potato twist stick

Have a throw at one of the laughing clowns in Sideshow Alley

Every night in the Main Area from 7pm you can join in with the Nightshift where there will be Chicken Run, ROCKARENA, V8 Ute Challenge and the Airtime Freestyle Motor X Team

$100 budget – families with young children

BankSA Farmyard Nursery – cuddle rabbits, chicks and lambs with the kids. Kids can have their faces painted professional family photos can be taken.

Dairy Food Hall- sample cheese, yoghurt, ice cream from a range of dairy companies

Grab the kids a Yellow Brick Road bag for $12 each or $20 for two. The bag includes: cheese and crackers, box of kellogs bars, choc raspberries from Charlesworth, Fleurieu Milk vanilla yoghurt pot, fruit, Beerenberg sachets and a fruit strap.

Meet Batman on Saturday and Sunday as well as have a pic taken with a replica Batmobile from the 1989 Batman film in Market Bazaar Wayville.

$200 budget – families with high school children

Ever wanted to see what the moon looked like on your birthday, wedding anniversary or another special day in your life? Now you can at Moonglow in the Jubilee Pavillion and Market Bazaar.

Get into the father and son combination relay in the woodchopping competition on Monday September 5

Grab a cheese toastie for $3.50

Finish your show day with a bang! There will be a fireworks display every night in the main area.

$300 budget – larger families

Just a $2 donation will get you into the Cellar Door Experience, tasting olive oils, wine and beer and cider.

Ride the Skymaster Wheel that has been delighting South Australians since 1969!

Have a ball buying showbags, there’s something for everyone.

Check out junior art, craft and design — the largest annual display of junior art, craft and design in Australia. The competition allows anyone between aged 2-20 to enter and showcase their creations.

$400+ budget – shoot for the stars

The Cheeky Chocolate Queen – Pick up some of their decadent chocolate or vegan showbags at stall FW06.

Unwind with a free massage as Casada Massager in the Jubilee Pavillion.

Catch a laugh at the Celebrity Milk-Off! Six teams made up of Adelaide’s celebrities and media personalities compete in a hand-milking challenge.

Take a stroll in the Market Bazaar where a wide range of exotic stalls featuring fashion, collectibles, streetwear, jewellery, accessories, homewares, candles, toys and more are on offer