Shane Crawford tries out the wildest 2019 Royal Melbourne Show rides
Hawks legend Shane Crawford faced his fears by going head to head with some of the Melbourne show’s scariest rides — but one attraction tested his nerve more than any other.
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Footy can be an emotional rollercoaster, as Shane Crawford can attest.
The Hawthorn legend has had his share of ups and downs — not all of them as hair-raising as those he experienced while testing out this year’s most heart-stopping rides at the Melbourne showgrounds.
Show ambassador Crawford took several rides for a spin, including heart-stopping thriller The Beast, the Rebel Coaster and the Pirate’s Revenge.
But there was one carnival attraction that the Hawks premiership player was no match for — the footy handball target.
“I’ve well and truly lost it,” he said after several failed attempts to get the ball through the target.
Crawford said he was looking forward to taking sons Charlie, Ben, Jack and Harry to this year’s event, which runs until Tuesday, October 1.
“As a country guy myself, I can’t wait to get the kids up close to the animals. They love feeding the baby goats but maybe we’ll put them to the test and see if they have what it takes to shear a sheep or milk a cow,” he said.
Aside from the animals and the showbags, the carnival rides are arguably the Royal Melbourne Show’s biggest drawcard.
And whether you’re a daredevil or a scaredy-cat, the show’s three carnival sections have something for everyone including three new rides — the Ice Jet Matterhorn, Fury and Freak Out.
Adventurous types chasing a big buzz can head to the Thrillseekers Carnival for the latest adrenaline-charged rides. The Family Adventure Carnival has rides suitable for kids as young as six, while younger children can head to the Kids’ Carnival.
Whether you’re chasing the ultimate adrenaline rush or just want a tame attraction that won’t bring up your lunch, here’s our guide to this year’s top Royal Melbourne Show rides:
TOP 5 RIDES FOR ADRENALINE JUNKIES
The ultimate rush for ride lovers, the Thrillseekers Carnival has the newest and most exhilarating rides at the show.
FURY (NEW FOR 2019)
The Melbourne Show’s biggest ride yet is also one of the most extreme show ride experiences in Australia.
Soaring to heights of 45m, this one is not for the faint-hearted as it travels at 125kmh at its highest point, at a force of 5.5Gs.
Thrillseeker rating: 5/5
Age: 15+
Cost: $15
BEAST
Four rows of adrenaline-seekers face each other as the giant pendulum arm they are attached to swings them to a flight height of more than 40m, taller than any transportable ride in the world.
Thrillseeker rating: 5/5
Age: 15+
Cost: $20
FREESTYLE
A 40m high, 100kmh thrill-fest that is sure to make the hairs on the neck of even the most extreme adrenaline addict stand up.
Thrillseeker rating: 5/5
Age: 15+
Cost: $20 or two for $35
THE HANGOVER
Soar through the air on the 360-degree spinning pendulum of The Hangover.
Two huge arms swing simultaneously taking you right to the top then suspending you upside down before hurtling you downward again in a sweeping motion of adrenaline.
Thrillseeker rating: 5/5
Age: 15+
Cost: $9 each ride or $17 all-day wristband
REBEL COASTER
Prepare for two drops from 11m, a loop, a vortex, a big hill and a zigzag on a 365m track at the show’s premier rollercoaster.
Thrillseeker rating: 5/5
Age: 15+
Cost: $10 per ride
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TOP 5 RIDES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
The expanded Adventure Carnival is recommended for those with children aged six to 16 and for those not feeling up to the more adrenaline-charged experiences of the Thrillseekers Carnival.
PIRATE’S REVENGE
Hop aboard your own vessel and enjoy the twists and turns before plunging in a wall of spray on the Pirate’s Revenge log ride.
Make memories with a family photo as you plummet down the rapids and finish with a splash.
Thrillseeker rating: 4/5
Age: 6+
Cost: $10
ICE JET MATTERHORN (NEW FOR 2019)
Winter may be over but the new Ice Jet Matterhorn ($8) brings the cold of Switzerland to the showgrounds on a frosty adventure through a dazzling snow scene.
One of the new additions to the Royal Melbourne Show rides line-up for 2019.
Thrillseeker rating: 4/5
Age: 6+
Cost: $8
CLIFF HANGER
Fly across the skies on the Cliff Hanger as you glide through the air laying face down to simulate the rush of a real paragliding experience. Whether you want to wear a cape or not is completely up to you.
Thrillseeker rating: 4/5
Age: 6+
Cost: $9/two for $16
THE SPOOK
You never know what’s around the next bend as you test your nerves on The Spook ghost train.
Time your run at night to add a frightful edge to this haunted house experience.
Thrillseeker rating: 3/5
Age: 6+
Cost: $10
BIG BUBBLE BUMP
Ever wanted to walk on water? Then climb inside the giant, clear inflatable Big Bubble Bump, the only water balls in Australia to have themed lighting that can change the colour of the pool of water.
Thrillseeker rating: 3/5
Age: 6+
Cost: $15
TOP RIDES FOR YOUNG KIDS
Children aged six and under will let their imagination run wild as they slide, glide and bounce through the Kids Carnival next to the Woodchop Pavilion and Jurassic Creatures.
JUMBO FLYING ELEPHANT
Two can share a ride on one of the 10 Jumbo Flying Elephants, a great experience for families with kids.
The experience for parents and children is made all the more unique as they control the elephants’ flight path up and down.
Thrillseeker rating: 2/5
Age: 2+
Cost: $7/4 for $24
JURASSIC COASTER
Take a rollercoaster ride back to prehistoric times with a wicked and wild journey on the Jurassic Coaster.
Riders climb to the top of the first loop, before a windy descent past the jaws of hungry dinosaurs.
Thrillseeker rating: 3/5
Age: 2+
Cost: $7/5 for $30 or 10 for $50
ROCKIN’ TUG
All aboard, the show’s award-winning favourite is back.
The whole family can take a seat on the Rockin’ Tug for a sweeping boat ride over the high seas.
Thrillseeker rating: 3/5
Age: 2+
Cost: $7/5 for $30 or 10 for $50
MINI DODGEM CARS 4 KIDS
A new ride for Royal Melbourne Show, these are Australia’s only children’s mini dodgem cars.
The uniquely designed cars are constructed to allow kids to drive the bumper cars on their own while they enjoy a safe and exciting experience.
Thrillseeker rating: 2/5
Age: 2+
Cost: $7/5 for $30 or 10 for $50
GIANT SKY WHEEL
If a relaxing jaunt is more your thing, there’s always the traditional Giant Sky Wheel.
Soak up views of the showgrounds and beyond while you rest weary feat.
Thrillseeker rating: 1/5
Age: All
Cost: $9 or four for $32.
HOW TO GET MELBOURNE SHOW RIDE DISCOUNTS
The Melbourne show’s carnival areas are where the family show budget can spiral out of control if left unchecked, with rides costing $5 to $20 each.
But a day or night out at the show doesn’t mean having to skip the rides altogether.
Thrillseekers can save up to 30 per cent by buying tickets online before you go, with ride passes starting at $25 for $35 worth of rides.
Or make the rides your first stop, so you can make the most of the two-for-one rides on offer from 10am-11am every day.