Convenience comes at a cost for Royal Adelaide Show visitors as parking prices jump $10 for 2024

Keep an eye out for good deals on the side streets because some of the official parking prices for this year’s show have reached staggering new highs.

Showgoers are forking out up to $60 for prime parking alongside Rose Terrace this year, up $10 from last year’s prices.

But it’s not until you drive in that you learn the price with one woman telling The Advertiser it was “absolutely ludicrous.”

“We just got ripped off hard but it’s convenient,” she said.

However, just around the corner on Greenhill Road, businesses are offering up all day parking from as little as $20 per car.

Jack Green, 16, whose dad owns a building on Greenhill Road, is allowed to keep whatever he makes. Picture: Dean Martin

Various parking fees ranging from $25 on Greenhill Road, to over $60 in Rose Terrace. 31 August 2024. Picture: Dean Martin

Each year 16-year-old Jack Green sells parking spaces at his dad’s office building for $25, dropping the price to $20 during the afternoon.

“A lot of people say it's a great price, I’m not charging an arm and a leg, it’s less than $10 what they’re charging [in the parklands] across the road,” he said.

Located at 5 Greenhill Road, the space holds 30 cars which can earn him at least $750 per day if he fills each space.

“At $25 bucks if I fill up, I get $750 and I’ll be laughing,” he said.

“In 2021, I think I made like $3,000 – that’s when I didn’t have any help and did it myself.

“I bought a bike with it and sold it this year so now I’m saving for a car.

“I’m so lucky dad owns this building, not many people get this opportunity.”

Oliver Andropov, Will Sanders, and Remi Worthington, all 16, are charging $30. Picture: Dean Martin

A stone’s throw away at 12 Greenhill Rd, Oliver Andropov, Will Sanders, Remy Worthington, all 16, are also making extra pocket money selling parks for $30.

The boys set up shop at 7:30am and had already filled 7 out of 36 parks by 9:30am.

“This is my third time coming out here, dad owns the building so we come out every year,” Mr Andropov said.

“Its $30 flat rate and we’ve kept it the same every year.

“Other people down the road are charging $60 so everyone’s coming across.”

Accountants, Ryan and Lucas hard at work on Greenhill Road. Picture: Dean Martin

Up the road, accountants Ryan and Lucas were also selling parking spaces at their office building for $25 during the morning and $30 later on.

This was standard for most businesses along the road with the most expensive park costing punters $35.

Showgoers can park nearby at the parklands for $17, compared to $15 last year, with credit card only.

SA’s hottest ticket in town goes digital

The Royal Adelaide Show is going digital, scrapping ticket boxes in favour of QR codes.

Hard tickets will not be available for purchase at the gates for the first time when this year’s Show kicks off at 9am on Saturday.

The change is in response to a significant decline in gate sales in recent years with “just 3 per cent of people purchasing their tickets this way” last year, Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society chief executive Will Rayner said.

“Gate sales have been dropping dramatically in recent years, with more and more people getting comfortable with digital tickets.”

But if digital isn’t your style, fear not as physical tickets can still be purchased from the 91 Foodland stores across the state.

Royal Show tickets will go digital and will not be available at the gate, physical ones can be purchased at 91 Foodlands across the state. Picture: Brett Hartwig

A weekday children’s pass ($16.50) costs the same as in 2023, however a full-priced adult showgoer ($27) will pay $1 extra.

Family tickets ($63.50) have also increased by just $1 with concession up 50c for the event, which runs for nine days until September 8.

Price hikes last year saw admission rise by as much as $10 in some cases – or 50 per cent – compared to the previous year.

With one in three South Australians expected to attend this year’s show, Mr Rayner said they had made every effort to keep costs down.

He also encouraged families to plan ahead and take advantage of the free events on offer.

“We know cost of living is a challenge – as a not for profit, we experience it ourselves. That’s why we work so hard to make a day at the Show a great value day out, with more than 100 free things to do,” he told The Advertiser.

“You could spend the day watching the dog show, feeding baby animals in the Learning Centre, watching Bluey on the Goyder Stage, watching elite athletes in the woodchop arena, milking a cow, and finishing with the fireworks – all free activities.

“We are really encouraging people to plan their day at the Show. There is so much to do and see, and planning is your best chance to make the most of the 100 free events.”

Police will be out in full force to monitor crowd behaviour and keep people safe during the event, including uniformed and unmarked patrols, horses, bicycle patrols and Public Transport Safety Branch members.

There will be 100 free events at The Show this year. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Despite the national terror threat being probable, Police Commander for the Royal Adelaide Show Scott Denny said there would be no significant changes to current police operations.

“Police are not doing anything different this year than we normally would,” he said.

“We have a very strong police overlay and we will continue that this year.

“We’re very comfortable with our police presence.”

Mr Denny, who is also Eastern District Superintendent, said police operation’s key focuses would be on reuniting lost children, road safety and preventing theft.

“This enjoyable event attracts thousands and families are encouraged to use the ‘if I’m lost’ wristbands being provided by the show,” he said.

“At last year’s show 59 people were reported missing, so showgoers are encouraged to take a photograph of their children/vulnerable people prior to the event to assist police with reuniting families.

“We also encourage patrons to pay close attention to personal property and to leave valuables at home.”

People needing assistance locating a lost child or vulnerable adult are encouraged to seek help at the Show Police Station, located in the Northwestern grandstand near the Royal Adelaide Show Office.

Mr Denny also warned showgoers and business owners to be alert when receiving cash after counterfeit $50 notes were circulated at last year’s event.

“If you suspect you have a counterfeit note, please take it to the nearest police station,” he said. “Handle the note as little as possible and store it in an envelope.

“Please be prepared to tell the police the time and place where you believe you were passed the fake bank note and a description of the person or people you passed it to you.”

Originally published as Convenience comes at a cost for Royal Adelaide Show visitors as parking prices jump $10 for 2024