Royal Melbourne Show: Best of this year’s offering

MAKE the most of your time at the Royal Melbourne Show this year with our top ten highlights, from food to the best in entertainment.

Greyhound Adoption Programme will be at Melbourne show for kids to pat and hopefully be adopted. Clara and Henry with greyhounds Nancy and Rocket. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

THE Royal Melbourne Show has rolled into town for another year. And after weeks of anticipation, the fun kicks off on Saturday.

Now in its 162nd year, the city’s largest agriculture show promises to be an unforgettable affair.

Blue skies and warm weather are expected as thousands of visitors flood the Melbourne Showgrounds on the first day of the school holidays.

MORE: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE SHOW

THE UNMISSABLE TASTES AT THE SHOW

Jimmy Barnes will kick off this year’s show in spectacular fashion with a live performance tonight, singing his greatest hits for one night only at the showground’s main stage.

2018 will see a line-up of live performers including illusionist Consentino, who will stun crowds in his acclaimed magic show twice a day.

Jimmy Barnes will kick off this year’s show. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Held annually by the Royal Agriculture Society Victoria, city slickers will be given a taste of the country over 11 jam-packed days,

Hundreds of farm animals will be on hand to pat, feed and see across the various animal precincts and attractions.

Get up close and cuddle the cutest of the farmyard gang including lambs, ducklings, chooks, goats at the show favourite, the Animal Nursery.

Or try your hand at sheep shearing and milking cows in The Farmhouse. Visitors will also be able to meet greyhounds at the Family Adventure Pavilion and speak with experts about adopting one to take home.

See the spectacular motorcross showcase. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Foodies will be in for a treat with award-winning food and drink options on offer.

The Winning Tastes Pavilion will host some of Melbourne’s best eateries and acclaimed producers including Mamasita, which will showcase its contemporary take on classic Mexican cuisine, and cheese providores That’s Amore Cheese, which will serve traditional Italian dishes.

And it wouldn’t be the Show without carnival rides and the popular Showbag Pavilion.

The Show runs from Saturday to October 2.

OUR TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS

JIMMY BARNES

Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes will kick off this year’s Show in style with a live performance on Saturday night. Barnseywill perform his greatest hits for one night only at the main stage.

BODY WORLDS EXHIBITION

Making its Australian debut, Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds Vital will be on display in the Body Worlds Pavilion. The international anatomical sensation has been visited by 46 million people globally and features real human bodies.

BULLDOGS BACKYARD

Bulldogs fans can kick a footy, take a photo or get stuck into some Footscray-inspired arts and craft at the Bulldogs Backyard in the Family Adventure Pavilion. Western Bulldog mascots Roxie and Woofer as well as Club Bulldog Caesar will also roam the show throughout the week.

PLAY CRICKET ZONE

Aspiring cricketers can test their skills alongside stars of the game at the Play Cricket Zone. Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades players will be on hand to help with catching and bowling practice.

ANIMAL NURSERY

Cuddle, play and handfeed the cutest of the farmyard friends in this royal show favourite. Kids can get up close to lambs, ducklings, chooks, goats and more at the animal nursery every day of the show.

CONSENTINO THE GRAND ILLUSIONIST

Illusionist Consentino is set to stun crowds as he performs in his acclaimed magic show. Performing on the main stage twice daily, the Australian escapologist will show off his biggest and awe-inspiring tricks.

Consentino will be at the show. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

MONSTER TRUCK AND MOTORCROSS STUNT SHOW

Prepare to be thrilled as the team of extreme riders and drivers jump, rev and flip their way around the Herald Sun arena. The motorcross and monster truck daredevils will leave crowds on the edge of their seats as they perform gravity-defying stunts.

FIREWORKS

A Royal Melbourne Show classic, the nightly fireworks display is set to be bigger and better than ever. The colourful fireworkswill light up the sky each night at 7.45pm to a soundtrack of top 40 tunes.

MAMASITA FOOD

Foodies are in for a treat with Melbourne restaurant favourite Mamasita showcases their best Mexican fare at this year’s show. Innovative flavours, authentic recipes and contemporary takes on classic tacos are sure to delight tastebuds at the Meadow.

THAT’S AMORE CHEESE PROVIDORES

A taste of Italy will be on offer this year as cheese providores, That’s Amore Cheese, serve up traditional Italian dishesat the Wine Tasting pavilion. Spaghetti with a four-cheese sauce tossed in a 40kg Grana Padano cheese wheel and gourmet cheesetoasties are among the mouth-watering menu items.