Showbags, petting zoo main attraction at Melbourne Royal Show

While football fever grips Melbourne's CBD, families flock to the 177th Melbourne Royal Show where the petting zoo and showbags proved to be the biggest hits.

While tens of thousands of footy fans packed out Melbourne’s CBD for the Grand Final parade, on the other side of town it was all about rides, show bags and the petting zoo.

The Melbourne Royal Show — now in its 177th year — proved it’s still a major drawcard on Melbourne’s packed calendar with families flocking to the showgrounds in the first week of the school holidays

Jack Cowling at the Melbourne Royal Show during the AFL Grand Final public holiday. Picture: Abby Walter

And while the showbags are always a mainstay, the petting show was the big hit with parents and kids alike as city slickers got a taste — and smell — of the country life.

Nicole Sztainbok, of Bentley East, said she usually took her children to the show every two years.

Jacob, Nicole and Lexi Sztainbok at the Melbourne Royal Show. Picture: Abby Walter

Her son Jacob said his favourite part was seeing the animals, particularly the dogs, while her daughter Lexi loved collecting the animal pins.

The pins are part of a new animal trail where at each different stop including the dogs, horses and cows, participants pick up a limited edition lapel pin.

Ms Sztainbok said coming to the show was something different to do on a public holiday that wasn’t related to football.

Melinda and David Lord were at the show with their sons James, 6, and Ethan, 12.

Ms Lord said it was the first time James had been to the show.

Melinda, James, Dale and Ethan Lord. Picture: Abby Walter

“We did our research on the show bags at home, we’ve been to see the animals in the petting zoo and had a go on the dodgem cars,” she said.

Ethan, who was wearing a Geelong Cats hoodie, said was looking forward to the Grand Final.

In the meantime he said he enjoyed the dodgem cars.

James was a bigger fan of the carnival games.

He said the clowns and catching ducks games were his favourites.

Alex, Oscar, Lily and Ali Kino at the Melbourne Royal Show on day two. Picture: Abby Walter

Mum of two Ali Kino said her family’s favourite part of the show was the dogs and the showbags.

“We loved cuddling the dogs, they had a special space where you could cuddle the puppies,” she said.

“We love coming to the show every year because it’s the kids’ happiest day of the year.”