2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show guide: Rides, food, entertainment and more
From mouth-watering treats to novelty showbags and thrill-seeking rides, check out what’s new at the Show.
For many city dwellers, life on the land remains a mystery and an annual pilgrimage to the Sydney Royal Easter Show may be the closest many urban folk get to the real experience.
Every year, nearly 900,000 people fill the Sydney Showground for the iconic event, hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
And while mouth-watering treats, novelty showbags and thrill-seeking rides are synonymous with the Show, it also provides a unique and educational experience that celebrates and recognises leaders in agriculture as well as award-winning animal breeds and produce.
Last year, the RAS invested $11m in support of rural and regional communities throughout NSW, thanks to the attendance of showgoers.
General manager Murray Wilton said agricultural theming has been elevated across the Show.
“We’ve introduced new competitions such as our fancy dress calf competition and our wool auction is back for the first time since 2019,” he said.
“We’re also celebrating 125 years of woodchop and championing the women of woodchopping with the introduction of two first-time women’s world championship events.”
WHAT’S NEW AT THE SHOW
Whether it’s baby animals or watching the best of the best compete in premier livestock competitions, the Show has something for everyone to enjoy.
“The night-time entertainment will welcome the new Battle in the Saddle performance, while across the grounds we’ll have horse trick riding, a new street parade, the Bridle to Bridleless horseman show, plus we’ll be wrapping up each night with a firework and special effects show,” Mr Wilton said.
New rides include the Warrior and Joker, and new games such as the Sydney Royal Easter Egg Hunt will be sure to keep the kids entertained.
For the foodies, there’s Sweet Sensations, a precinct dedicated to gourmet treats such as gelato, cookies, donuts and crepes, located in The Stables.
Fruit is on the menu for kids at the apple farm near the Wacky Worm Roller Coaster. Bite into toffee and caramel apples, apple nachos, mini donuts and freshly squeezed apple juice.
Enjoy many of the attractions that are unique to the Show such as the District Exhibits (those superb murals of fruit), pavilions of over 800 domestic and farm animals, and one of the most difficult decisions faced by all showgoers - which showbag to choose, from the 403 offered.
Some of the new and popular bags include the Allkinds Hey Vacay bag, Kyle & Jackie O’s World Famous bag, and a favourite of Elsie Donnelly’s, the Mermaid Dressup bag.
“Our RAS Foundation has introduced the Give & Gather bag which is a reimagined Ag Bag,” Mr Wilton said.
“All proceeds go towards the charity’s Community Futures Grant program, which helps regional and rural community projects come to life.”
The Show will follow the same format as last year, with numbers capped at 80,000 patrons per day and tickets purchased for specific days.
“For many families, coming to the Show is a family tradition that is often passed down through the generations,” Mr Wilton said.
“It’s also a unique Australian experience that provides city folk with a rare glimpse into our rural communities and an opportunity to see and learn about how Australian agriculture shapes all our lives.”
HOW TO SAVE MONEY AT THE SHOW
It’s no surprise that a day at the Sydney Royal can be a costly day out. Don’t fret, here’s how you can make lifelong family memories on a budget.
TICKETS
Buying your ticket online early will save you money.
And as the show does not coincide with school holidays, taking advantage of half-price tickets after 4pm is another good cost-cutting option.
“Save up to 15 per cent off family passes and up to 17 per cent off if you preload your Carnival Fun Pass on the Easter Show Fun Pass app when purchased before midnight, March 21,” the Show’s general manager Murray Wilton said.
Kids’ Day is happening on the last day (April 2), where entry for children is almost half price at $16.
TRANSPORT
Petrol will likely cost you up to $60, if you decide to drive to Sydney Olympic Park.
Parking will be in high demand during the Show and car parks are likely to reach capacity. So be prepared to pay $35 for the whole day.
The best way to get to and from the Show is by train or bus, with services running regularly. Public transportation costs are again included in the price of the entry ticket.
SHOWBAGS
It’s difficult, but limiting the children to just one or two of the cheaper showbags, like the classic Bertie Beetle for $5,could save you.
The good news is that many of the new and classic bag prices will range from $4 to $36, plus there are 89 showbags for $10 or less.
“Vendors are offering bundle packages and more food deals than ever before to ensure patrons can experience all aspects of the Show,” Mr Wilton said. “For example, there are a range of showbag bundle deals starting at just $20 for five showbags, which is a great deal.”
All activities, exhibits and competitions cost nothing, plus visitors can enjoy 12 hours of free entertainment daily (except rides).
FOOD
Making sandwiches or wraps and packing water bottles and snacks, like fruit and chips, before you leave the house is a cheap and healthy option.
“There’s plenty of seating around the grounds to set up and have a break,” Mr Wilton said.
TOP 5 EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS
WOOLWORTHS FRESH FOOD DOME
Sample and buy all Australian made produce and visit the Dome’s major attraction, the District Exhibits. Visit the classicfavourite Get Fish & Tyrrell’s Prawn, Oyster & Wine Bar, plus Seasons of New England, showcasing products from 15 businessesincluding homemade pottery, Dorrigo jerky, jams and sauces, and flavoured creamed honey.
WHEN: 9am-7.30pm (8.30pm Easter Long Weekend)
WHERE: Woolworths Fresh Food Dome
SYDNEY’S ROYAL EGG HUNT
It isn’t Easter without an Easter Egg Hunt, and this fully themed garden experience is just what your family is looking for.Adults can join the fun with a child for the one ticket price.
WHEN: Daily, from 9am
WHERE: The Paddock, cnr Olympic Blvd. & Grand Parade
AIRTIME FREESTYLE MOTOX TEAM
Come and enjoy a spectacular performance from the Airtime Freestyle MotoX Team. Watch as riders soar through the air, performingtricks such as rock solids, turn downs, heart attack, back flips, back flip variations and more.
WHEN: Daily, 12.35pm, 8.25pm
WHERE: Main Arena
CHICKEN RUN, RUN CHICKENS RUN!
Jack Farmer’s giant prize chickens are on the run from a pesky old fox. Watch as they escape on quad bikes over jumps, slidingsideways around corners, and running for their lives.
WHEN: Daily, 12.10pm, 7.20pm
WHERE: Main Arena
SWEET SENSATIONS
Enjoy the sweet things in life at Sweet Sensations, the new dessert precinct located in The Stables. Indulge in gourmet treatssuch as Messina’s popular gelato, chocolate cookies and fruit crumble from Thicc Cookies, plus vegan donuts, crepes, Tanghulu(candied fruit), acai bowls, cannoli and more.
WOMEN MAKING THE CUT
Big burly blokes with broad shoulders usually come to mind when the sport of woodchopping is mentioned.
But Ashleigh Heath is among the women who love nothing more than carving up a block of wood as if it was butter.
This year marks 125 years since woodchop and sawing competitions first appeared at the Sydney Royal.
And for the first time, two Women’s World Championship titles are being held, including the 325mm Women’s World Championship Sawing Content (Single Handed), and the 275mm Women’s World Championship Underhand.
In what has traditionally been a male dominated sport, 2024 has more women entrants than ever before, making up 20 per cent of woodchoppers on the lawn.
“When I was first starting out, there were a few older axemen that thought women should be playing netball or doing something ‘feminine’,” Heath said.
“I like challenging the norm. Being able to compete and win events where you are the only female against a field of men proves to everyone that I do deserve to be out there competing too.”
Woodchopping competitions were where Heath met her next love, Blake. And now they have two beautiful young children, Scarlett and Harrison.
Originally from Nelson in New Zealand, Heath started woodchopping when she was 15, after tagging along with her dad to a local show.
“I fell in love with it straight away, once I started I couldn’t stop,” she said.
“I travelled every inch of the South Island following the woodchopping circuit in New Zealand with my dad. I love being good at something different. Conversations usually start with ‘You’re too small to be a woodchopper’ ... I get to change their mind quickly.
“A lot of time goes into training, setting up woodchops as well as travelling all over NSW every weekend during our season.”
Woodchopping and sawing are fast action events that have been delighting showgoers for years.
Now held in Ugly Fish Woodchop Stadium, enthusiastic crowds seize the opportunity to get close to the action and experience the fierce competition of the events.
Heath, based in the Hunter Valley, has won the Women’s Underhand Championship at the Show three times in 2015, 2018 and 2021. She’s been in the top four every year since first competing in 2012.
“I first represented the New Zealand Women’s Team at 17,” she said. “I won my first Open Underhand against a field of male competitors when I was 19.”
Her advice to aspiring female woodchoppers was to train, train, train.
“Woodchopping isn’t a sport you can be the best at right away, it takes so much time and determination. Ask questions and take advice, there is so much to learn.”
For tickets, visit eastershow.com.au
Originally published as 2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show guide: Rides, food, entertainment and more
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