Gold Coast Show: Complete guide to transport, where to find rides, sample bags and see fireworks

THE 2018 Gold Coast Show’s move to Broadwater Parklands and Owen Park will see organisers open the gates to let crowds in for free for the first time in the event’s 112-year history. Here’s everything you need to know about the Show.

SOUTHPORT is ready to show the Gold Coast’s biggest community event — the 112th Gold Coast Show — its decision to relocate was the right move.

The show will be run from Friday to Sunday, with events spread across multiple venues — at Owen Park, Broadwater Parklands and the Southport CBD.

Show organisers’ decision to waive admission fees and make the 2018 event free for all to attend for the first time in its history is expected to see an extra 65,000 people pour into Southport this weekend.

The 2018 Gold Coast Show sites.

It also means crowds will have more money to spend on the almost 100 different showbags (priced from $6 to $30) in the new Showbag Tent on the great lawn of the Broadwater Parklands.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT THE GOLD COAST SHOW

Local area councillor Dawn Crichlow said show organisers, residents and traders were delighted the annual celebration had moved from the Gold Coast Turf Club to Southport.

“People are happy. We’re happy,” she said.

“Times are tough and people are watching every penny so to be able to get in and be part of the action at no cost is great — that’s what people are saying.

“And the show has had a longer time to bump in and set up this year than at the Turf Club, where they only had a couple of days.”

This year will see the Gold Coast Show reintroduce a full equestrian program at Owen Park and Southport Pony Club.

With this year’s show free for all to attend, Cr Crichlow said funds raised from paid parking at Carey Park would help the show society cover the costs involved in staging the event.

Cr Crichlow said people in the precinct’s high rise buildings would enjoy a bird’s eye view of the event’s new nightly light show, Luminocity, and traditional fireworks display.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

“The Chinatown markets are on Saturday, so people will be able to walk from the Broadwater Parklands up through Nerang Street to the markets and then get on the light rail to Owen Park,” she said.

Cr Crichlow said seniors would still be able to travel on buses for free from 8.30am to 3.30pm on Friday even though it’s a public holiday for the show.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new-look 2018 Gold Coast Show.

WHEN IS IT?

Friday, August 31 (Gold Coast Show Day Public Holiday) from 9am to 9pm.

Saturday, September 1 from 9am to 9pm.

Sunday, September 2 (Father’s Day) from 9am to 9pm.

Mia Gardner, 6, and Billie Frampton, 6, do some window shopping in the Showbag Pavilion ahead of this year's Gold Coast Show at Broadwater Parklands. Picture: Jerad Williams

IS THERE AN ENTRY FEE?

The 112th annual Gold Coast Show is completely FREE to attend for the first time in the event’s history.

WHERE IS IT?

Broadwater Parklands: Home of Sideshow Alley, the Showbag Pavilion, woodchopping, Arts and Craft Pavilion, camel rides, entertainment stages, unicorn and pony rides, roving entertainment, mermaid appearances, Jet Pack Adventure Show, jet ski and jet pack rides,

a baby animal farm and enchanted fairies.

Australia Fair Shopping Centre (level 1): Cookery and cake displays.

  Owen Park and Southport Pony Club: Home to the full equestrian program, cattle competition, dogs, goats, animal farm nursery and food trucks.

The 2013 Miss Gold Coast Showgirl Monique Williams at the original Gold Coast Show grandstand at Owen Park, in Southport.

HOW TO GET THERE

BY TRAM

Trams will operate every 10 minutes between 7pm and 10pm from Friday to Sunday. There are four stops from one end of the show’s footprint to the other — between Broadwater Parklands (exit at Broadwater Parklands station) and Owen Park (exit at Queen Street station).

 Parkwood Park N Ride

Public parking at Parkwood station. Ride the light rail from there.

BY CAR

Parking at Broadwater Parklands, Carey Car Park

Parking $10 per vehicle per visit (funds benefit the Gold Coast Show Society). Free accessible parking available to users with PWD/Accessible stickers on vehicles.

 Australia Fair

Parking available. Standard rates apply. Accessible parking is also available at Australia Fair.

 Parking at Owen Park,

Southport State School has paid parking available next door to Owen Park.

GOLD COAST SHOW HOLIDAY TRANSPORT

TransLink will make timetable changes to some services on August 31 due to the Show Holiday.

 Bus services

A Sunday timetable will apply for all bus services. School services will not operate, with the exception of routes 3045, 3063, 3065, 3126, 3039, 3065, 3073, 3153.

Free bus travel for seniors remains in place from 8.30am to 3.30pm on the Show Holiday on Friday.

 Train services

Queensland Rail will operate its normal Friday and weekend timetables.

 Tram services

G:link will operate its normal Friday timetable, with extra trams in the evening for Gold Coast Show crowds.

The Gold Coast Show’s fireworks display will light up the sky over the Broadwater from Friday to Sunday.

AFTER DARK ENTERTAINMENT

The Luminocity Light Festival, Broadwater Parklands and Southport CBD

Nightly from 6pm to 9pm. Presented by the people behind Sydney’s VIVID, the Festival of Light includes Band of Colour Rainbow Lights and a Holographic Laser Fountain; Dazzling Fairy Light Fence, Harbour Wave Sculpture;

Nightly show: Featuring fireworks (8pm Friday and Saturday, 7pm Sunday), LED JetPack Extreme Show, Galaxy LED Horses Show

Marina Mirage: Rainbow Sails, Out-of-this-World Laser Beam over the Broadwater;

Nerang St Mall: Laser Tracing, Rainbow Trees, LED Art Projections, Chinese Festival Laser Light.

Showbag Tent: LED Art Projections.

Australia Fair: Lighting installations.

Casey Barnes will perform for crowds at the Gold Coast Show on Friday. Picture: AAP Image/Claudia Baxter.

HEADLINE ENTERTAINMENT

Main entertainment stage, The Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, hosts live performances by local artists and groups including headline acts Casey Barnes (Friday Show Day Public Holiday), Ivey (Saturday) and Peach Fur (Sunday).

SIDESHOW ALLEY RIDES

Kids’ rides are priced from $5 per ride, more adventurous rides start at $7. Ride operators will offer multi-ride discounts at ticket booths. It’s Showtime will offer $30 of ride passes for $25. Visit It’s Showtime Facebook page and follow the links to the Gold Coast Show Event Page. https://www.facebook.com/events/2103205229959741/

YOGA FOR DIGNITY

Australia Fair Shopping Centre and the Gold Coast Show team up to support Yoga 4 Dignity to help make a difference to homeless women. Grab your yoga mat and join instructor Samantha Doyle on The Great Lawn in Broadwater Parklands on Saturday, September 1 from 7-8am. Tickets are $20. Money raised to benefit the Share the Dignity charity. Visit www.sharethedignity.com.au to register.