Royal Darwin Show 2025 gallery: Thousands turn out for thrilling rides, entertainment and bake-off

There was plenty of action for all at the Darwin Showgrounds on Friday, with thousands gathering to get involved with the festivities. SEE THE PHOTOS.

Lucy Johnson and Zara Lewis with a goat at the Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dazzling costumes, exhilarating show rides, and even a ‘celebrity’ bake-off – there was plenty of action for all at the Darwin Showgrounds on Friday.

Thousands descended for the 74th edition of the Royal Darwin Show.

From show rides and games, to carnival food and a petting zoo, show-goers were certainly treated to a full day of festivities.

Glenn Shaw, who came to the show with his three children, said he and his family were “having a blast” at this year’s show.

Glenn and Eli Shaw both enjoyed the show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“There’s a lot of people, but we’re having lots of fun – even though the weather could be a little bit cooler,” he joked.

Mr Shaw, who confessed he had come to many Royal Darwin Shows' throughout his life, said his youngest son, Eli, was also loving the show.

“We’ve done everything – we’ve had a good ride, played some games, and we’re going to get a show bag and then head home,” he said.

“Making memories with the kids is what makes it so special.”

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Celebrity Baking Challenge winner David Auld. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

As for the Celebrity Baking Challenge, the defending champion, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, literally put her eggs in the wrong basket this year, after she forgot to put eggs into her cake.

The competition was won by Charles Darwin University Lecturer David Auld, who baked his family favourite carrot cake recipe that he has been making for years.

“I feel overwhelmed and excited,” he said after his win.

“I didn’t expect to win the competition; all those cakes looked fantastic, and it’s for a great cause.”

ALL THE PHOTOS

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Luna-Mae Stinton as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Indianna Martin as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hon Malarndirri McCarthy as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Tina Stratton and Joe Hewett as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Matthew Qualischefski, Carla Hayes, His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM, David Auld, Cherry Court, Ms Ruth Eirwen Jones and Ashley Heath as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM and Ms Ruth Eirwen Jones as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Daniel Capp, Judy Macfarlane and Tim Macfarlane as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Da Silva family as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM, David Auld, Ms Ruth Eirwen Jones, Ashley Heath and Cherry Court as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chesney Fitzgerald as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chiam family as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Elsie Logan as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mia O’Brien, Bonnie Cooney and Sinon Cooney as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Emma Mommers and Lydia Armstrong as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Grace Willcocks and Samantha Bradford as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Antoney family as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Lillian Hendry and Grace Hendry as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Bill Fry and Rocky as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Brayden, Madison and Ebony Smith as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

ClearlyÕs and OÕbriens family as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

David Auld as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ethan and Hunter as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro as hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hundreds gathered on July 25, 2025, at the Darwin Showgrounds for the 74th annual Royal Darwin Show. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Originally published as Royal Darwin Show 2025 gallery: Thousands turn out for thrilling rides, entertainment and bake-off