Everything you need to know about the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show
Upgrades and new attractions have given the showgrounds a much-needed facelift ahead of the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show, with bigger crowds anticipated. Here’s what to expect.
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This year’s Royal Melbourne Show will be one for the history books, with upgrades making the annual tradition the biggest exhibition of showbags in the world.
The showbag pavilion’s move to a bigger, more central location is just one of the changes coming to the 2019 Melbourne show.
And additional developments over the next 12 months are part of a $1.5 million deal with the Andrews Government.
With last year’s attendance exceeding half a million, it’s hoped improvements to the showgrounds will further boost crowd numbers this year.
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW 2019 DATES
The 2019 Royal Melbourne Show runs from Saturday, September 21 to Tuesday, October 1, and is open from 9.30am until 9pm daily.
WHERE IS THE 2019 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW?
The Melbourne show is at Ascot Vale’s Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, where it’s been held for more than 160 years.
The purpose-built indoor and outdoor venue covers 19 hectares, with public transport access in addition to the Flemington Racecourse car park.
HOW TO GET ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW TICKETS
There are a few options when it comes to tickets for the show.
General admission tickets cost $42 for adults, $28 concession and $21 for children, or up to $80 for a family.
But you can get a 20 per cent discount on entry by buying early-bird tickets.
RACV members also get up to 25 per cent off admission until September 20.
You can also save up to 10 per cent on adult and child tickets by buying them at participating Woolworths stores.
Another way to score discounted tickets is by entering the Showgrounds from 5pm onwards. The After 5 Super Saver gives you 50 per cent off the admission price for adults and children, with concession tickets discounted by 25 per cent, available online or at the gate.
Groups of 20-plus can also get up to 25 per cent off the price of entry.
You can also buy a two-day VIP pass for two people for $85 (online only).
Herald Sun subscribers with digital access can redeem 2-for-1 tickets.
WHERE TO GET SHOWBAGS AT 2019 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
This year will see an expanded showbags pavilion in the Grand Pavilion, centrally located in the showgrounds.
The shake-up will give Melbourne the biggest showbag exhibition in the world, with more than 360 varieties on offer this year.
Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 are among the new showbags, with varieties from PAW Patrol, Rick & Morty and Peppa Pig also expected to be popular picks.
Priced from $2 to $50, there’s something for every interest, age group and budget.
Showbags are tested by Consumer Affairs, Victoria Police and Melbourne City Council to make sure they do not contain anything dangerous.
Need help choosing a showbag? Use our interactive showbag picker to search by price, category, value for money or keybag, and add your favourites to a printable shortlist.
M ORE: FIND SHOWBAG BARGAINS WITH OUR INTERACTIVE GUIDE
THE HOTTEST SHOWBAGS AT THE 2019 MELBOURNE SHOW
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW REVAMP TO ENTICE BIGGER CROWDS
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2019 MELBOURNE SHOW
Perennial Melbourne show favourites are the showbags, rides, animal nursery, art and craft displays, dog shows, livestock displays and the Woodchop Pavilion.
This year’s event sees the launch of a new Jurassic Creatures Pavilion with animatronic dinosaurs.
Also making its debut is the Future Pavilion, a fully immersive tech and video gaming area showcasing new technology, innovative gadgets and virtual reality.
There will be also be a new crop of live entertainment on offer, packed with live music and performances by PAW Patrol Live, Cosetino the Grand Illusionist and seven-piece tribute band The Elton John Experience.
More than 4000 exhibits will be on display for the 2019 Royal Melbourne Show Art, Craft & Cookery Competition in the Spotlight Makers Pavilion.
The evening fireworks spectacular, will light up the Herald Sun Arena each night.
Team Isuzu D-Max, Australia’s longest running and most famous precision driving team, returns to perform two daily performances of its popular vehicle stunt shows, which includes incredible high-speed driving acts and demonstrations.
There will also be a twice-daily parade in the town square that includes character favourites such as Batman, Wonder Woman and Peppa Pig, along with marching bands and community groups.
RASV chief Paul Guerra said 2019 would bring a huge line-up of new and traditional entertainment, food and agriculture.
“It’s easy to think that after 160 years, you know what to expect from the Royal Melbourne Show, but this year there will be so many new things, while we hold on to some,” he said.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK AT THE 2019 MELBOURNE SHOW
The Winning Tastes Pavilion will be one of the show’s must-see locations, providing a sample of Australia’s best, fresh food and drink offerings from cheese to truffle oils, homemade pastas, desserts, wine and more.
Open from 9.30am to 8pm daily, the pavilion includes food and drink from That’s Amore Cheese, Danes Coffee, Glace, McPhersons Wines and Temple Brewing.
23 TASTES TO TRY AT THE ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
Foodies will appreciate the changes coming to the dining precincts, with more dining options on offer than ever before.
That includes the new Ebony Angus Steakhouse, an affordable classic pub-style steakhouse will have daily specialty cuts with vegetarian options and a wine list.
HOW TO GET TO THE 2019 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
Located just 7km from the CBD, the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds is easily accessible by public transport and car.
Metro trains run from Flinders Street Station to Melbourne Showgrounds every 10 to 20 minutes during the show, with the last train back to the city departing Melbourne Showgrounds at 10.30pm each day.
For trams, catch Tram number 57 from the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth streets to Melbourne Showgrounds on Epsom Road (stop 32).
Bus users can catch the 404 service from Footscray to Moonee Ponds - to Ascot Vale Rd/ Epsom Rd or the 472 service from Williamstown to Moonee Ponds- to Langs Rd/ Epsom Rd, with both services travelling regularly to the Melbourne Showgrounds precinct.
V/Line customers with show tickets can travel economy off-peak return for $15 from any station on the V/Line network.
Passengers just need to present a pre-purchased Royal Melbourne Show admission ticket to get the V/Line Special Event fare.
WHERE TO PARK AT THE 2019 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
If you’re travelling by car, parking is available at Flemington Racecourse from 8am until 11pm for $25 a day.
Entry to the car park is via Epsom Rd or Smithfield Rd, with access to the Show via the rail underpass.
MORE CHANGES COMING TO THE 2020 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said the Andrews Government would provide $1.5 million to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria to develop the blueprint for a new showgrounds masterplan.
The project will be completed over the next 12 months, identifyig how the site can be improved.
“We need to bring its buildings, facilities and infrastructure into the 21st century,” Ms Symes said.
Another major change will be the show dates. From 2021, the dates will be pushed back to accommodate the AFL calendar.
This will mean the 2021 Royal Melbourne Show is slated to start on the Thursday before the AFL Grand Final weekend and will run into the first full weekend of October.
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