Taking place over the September school holidays, the Royal Melbourne Show is celebrated over 11 wonderful days and includes everything from exciting rides and family entertainment to arts, crafts and barnyard animals.
The Royal Melbourne Show is one of the most popular events on the Melbourne calendar; with thousands of people flocking to the Melbourne Showgrounds year after year for excitement, entertainment and fun activities for the whole family.
Royal Melbourne Show 2020 Dates, Maps, Showbags, Rides & Tickets
Food lovers will also be excited to know that the show offers an exciting range of food and drink stalls. Each stall offers award-winning produce, regional wines, finger food and homemade desserts. Furthermore, the show offers a number of cooking workshops and engaging programs for adults and kids alike.
Kids also love going to the Showbag Hall where they can purchase a range of goodies all packed into one awesome showbag! There are chocolates, lollies, toys, costumes for the kids and a range of cooking, fashion and sports showbags for adults. Buying a showbag at the Royal Melbourne Show is a tradition, so make sure you check out the range available.
During the day, the Royal Melbourne Show hosts demonstrations, competitions, fun rides and live shows. At night, the fun continues with carnival rides, food tasting and a spectacular fireworks display. There is so much to see and do at the Royal Melbourne Show, so plan on spending the whole day and evening here and experience everything that Victoria has to offer in one exciting place.
You can buy your tickets online, or at the gate. Ride passes are available (online only). Take public transport to get to the show. Catch the Melbourne Showgrounds train from Flinders Street, Southern Cross or North Melbourne. The first train arrives at Melbourne Showgrounds station at 9.23am and trains run every 15 minutes.
I remember in past years i was able to get a discounted ticket when returning a second day. Eg. Bought a full priced adult ticket and went on a tuesday. Then presented that ticket at the gate on the thursday and got entry much cheaper.
Do you know if that’s being offered again this year?
Hi Claire,
What you have described seems to be similar to the “2-Day VIP Pass”, although it seems to have changed slightly.
The “2-Day VIP Pass” is now entry for 2 people on any two days of the show and includes access to VIP hospitality areas and priority access to the Animal Nursery and Showbag pavilion. So it’s not 2 day access for just 1 person anymore.
In terms of pricing, there doesn’t appear to be any online discounts for the 2 day tickets (eg RACV), so the pass s $85 in total. Since you can get 2 adult tickets for $64 with the discount, the 2-Day VIP Pass is only worth it if you are definitely attending 2 days.
Thanks
Michael
Hello Louis I was wondering if you buy the ride passes online do they get posted out or do you get them at the gate?
Hi Jess,
Having been there today, i do recall ride passes being able to be collected from the information stands around the showgrounds.
The main information kiosk that stands out is the Pie in the Sky, but looking at the map, there seems to be stands located near each of the entrances.
Thanks
Michael
are passouts allowed once in the grounds? thanks in advance
Hi Louis,
I have done a lot of searches and although i can see references to passouts being available at the gate, there is not much detail other than that.
Looking at some of the information from previous years, it appears that pass outs are only valid for a short time (like 30 minutes) so you can go to your car to drop off items – not for returning back later in the day.
Hope this helps.
Michael
Hi Louis,
Just to follow up on your question after going to the show today, passouts are available at the gates in the form of a hand stamp and there is no time frame around when having to return.
Thanks
Michael
Will the show be open on the Friday of the AFL Grand Final public holiday?
Hi Louisa,
The show is in fact open during the AFL Grand Final public holiday on the Friday. Be that everyone else is off work, it’s either going to be quiet because of the parade in the city, or it’s going go the other way to be swamped with people.
Have a great time!
Thanks
Michael
has it been released yet what times specifically the dogs are on at. we only want to watch the Alaskan malamutes but it doesn’t have a time as to when they are being shown on the website just the date
Hi Maddie,
Unfortunately, that is all of the information i could find too – even then so, trying to get the information off the official website is painful.
I did do some Google searches and all i could find was the date as well – no times.
The official showguide does come out this week, but i have a feeling the information wont be out until closer to the event, or even on the day.
Thanks
Michael
Is there unlimited ride passes ¿
Hi Jas,
The Royal Melbourne Show doesn’t offer ‘unlimited’ ride passes, but rather a series of value saving cards. Eg: $35 worth of rides for $25; $70 worth of rides for $50; $200 worth of rides for $140. There are typically 6 different value options offered.
Best regards,
Jess
If i have already bought an admission ticket, how do I purchase only a ride pass online? I cannot seem to make this purchase unless I buy another admission ticket.
Thank You
Hi Kristina,
I went to the official ticket page and it appears you can only purchase a ride pass when purchasing your admission ticket. A bit of a bad design for customers, I must say. I suggest you contact the Royal Melbourne Show organisers to see if there is any workaround: customer.service@rasv.com.au
Best regards,
Jess
If we purchase a ride pass how are they issued do we get a card or are they on our phone
Hi Kellie,
On your phone. Ride vouchers are to be redeemed for a rides pass at information booths inside Melbourne Showgrounds. Ride credits cannot be split between multiple ride passes, however a rides pass can be transferable from person to person.
Regards,
Jess
Hi, So what do we show them on our phones to be able to redeem our ride passes?
Hi Tanisha,
Ride vouchers can be redeemed from your phone for a rides pass at information booths inside Melbourne Showgrounds. Ride credits cannot be split between multiple ride passes, however a rides pass can be transferable from person to person.
Have a great time at the Royal Melbourne Show!
Jess
Is there a combined train travel and admission into the sho from regional vic this year plz
Hi Karen,
Unfortunately, I cannot located any such deal for regional travellers to the Royal Melbourne Show in 2017.
Regards,
Jess
what date is seniors day at the royal melbourne show
Hi Sandra,
I am not aware of any special ‘Seniors Day’, however you are entitled to a discount ticket price which you can purchase under Concession tickets for entry on any day of the show.
Regards,
Jess
hi just wondering once I’m in at the show right an d if I leave to go somewhere for 30 minutes can I still come back on the same day of course is that ok to do or not.
Hi Marie,
Short term pass outs to collect or drop off items to your car are allowed but are only valid for around 30 minutes as your ticket is only a single entry so you are actually not able to return later in the way on the same ticket. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Jess
Is there still a railway station inside the Showgrounds?
And are aged pensioners qualified for concession entry?
Hi Maggie,
Yes, the Flemington Showgrounds train departs from Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations regularly throughout the show and will take you right to the rear entrance of the Melbourne Showgrounds. Here is a link to the timetable for your reference.
Regards,
Jess
Hi I’m thinking of buying a $200 ride pass but not sure how it works I will have me my missus and 4 kids can we all use it and on different rides like kids rides and adult rides thanks?
Hi Troy,
Great question. You can get $200 worth of rides for only $140. It looks like they are transferrable between people. Here are the conditions:
“Ride vouchers are to be redeemed for a rides pass at information booths inside Melbourne Showgrounds on any day during the 2017 Royal Melbourne Show. Ride passes are not redeemable for cash, cannot be resold, no change can be given for unused credit and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Ride credits cannot be split between multiple ride passes. A rides pass can be transferrable from person to person. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional ride offer. Transaction fee of $2.00 including GST per transaction apply. 1.3% credit card fees apply.”
Have a great time at the Melbourne Show!
Jess
Hi just wondering if you still can buy show & ride tickets. Been a few years since last went to show
Hi Raelene,
Yes, show and ride combo tickets are available. Based on previous years, you save around 30% on rides when you purchase the bundle. There will be plenty of advertising when they go on sale, so keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks for the announcement.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi, I I still have close to $100 left on my ride card I was disappointed because I was thinking that now I’ve lost out on money. But seems as there is no expiration date, would I be able to use the rest of my ride credit next year?
Hi Mel,
The terms and conditions on the Royal Melbourne Show website state the following:
“Ride passes are not redeemable for cash, cannot be resold, no change can be given for unused credit and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. This offer is valid for purchase online only. Ride credits are not transferable and cannot be split between multiple ride passes. Ride e-vouchers are to be redeemed for a rides pass on any day during the 2016 Royal Melbourne Show.”
Unfortunately it seems that the credit is only able to be used at the 2016 show.
Regards,
Jess
Hi,
I was wondering when it says 17th-27th, does that mean that the 27th is the last day of the show or does it mean that it’s not open on the 27th?
Hi, the show is open on the 27th which is the last day of the show.
Have a great time!
Jess
Hi Jess,
The speed and quality of your responses is truly commendable. Even for questions that are repeated several times. Great work.
Kes
Thanks Kessr, great to get some positive feedback!
Regards,
Jess
Hi, if I book a ticket online but finally not be able to go there, can I get a refund? Thanks.
Hi Ellen,
The short answer is no, The terms of sale state the following:
“9. Refunds and Exchanges
9.1 Unless required by law (including rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees), we do not provide refunds or exchanges on any tickets purchased. Therefore, please ensure that you carefully review your event and seat selection before processing the purchase.”
I have attached a link to the full terms for you here.
Regards,
Jess
Can you get any further discount using your Racv card after 5pm? Or is it a flat rate of $15 no further discounts applied.
Cheers lisa
Hi Lisa,
This ticket offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional admission ticket offer which means that a further RACV discount will not apply.
Have a great time at the Show!
Regards,
Jess
Hi we are purchasing tickets online using a friend’s RACV membership. Will we need to show the membership card at entrance? Thanks.
Hi Jukie,
The RACV number is entered online at the time of purchase so I can’t imagine you would be asked for it again upon entry.
I personally have used this discount in the past and have never been asked to present the card upon entry. However, you never know… you may get an over-zealous gate attendant. So if at all possible, try to bring the card to show with you on the day.
But if you do have any issues at the gate, just state that there is nothing on the purchase page which states it must be shown on entry.
Regards,
Jess
I would like to contact Rocky River Mining who had a stand where kids could pan for semi precious gems. My granddaughter panned for gems which were in a plastic bag which she lost the stones as the carry bag tore.
I would like to buy some bags for my granddaughter from Rocky Mining if I can.
Please advise website or phone number if possible.
Thanks.
Hi Jimmy,
Sorry to hear. I can’t find any information about this company online, so I would recommend you contact the customer service department for the RASV (Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria – the organisers of the Show). They will have a full list of all vendors and should be able to put you in touch with the company.
Email: customerservice@rasv.com.au
Hotline: 1300 656 547
I hope you have some success at getting your granddaughter some new gems!
All the best,
Jess
Hey, was just wondering how much it would be for me and a friend who are going this Saturday the 24th. My friend has an RACV card, can we both go go under that? And I’m also a concession card holder, so how much would it before both of us?
Also with the ride passes online, how do you get them? Do you just show them at the gate?
Are there ATM machines at the show grounds?
Hi Alexandra,
Your friend will be able to buy both tickets (RACV members can buy up to 20 tickets) online. The cost for one adult + one concession with RACV discount is $53. You can buy tickets here.
The process for redeeming the passes is as follows: After purchase, you will receive an email with your ride e-voucher attached. The Melbourne Show website states: “Take a printed copy of your e-voucher, or show the e-voucher barcode from your mobile device, to any information booth or ride redemption booth to receive your activated rides pass. Go to the ticket box office of the ride operator of your choice to swipe your card and use the ride credits from your rides pass.”
Yes, there are ATMs inside the Royal Melbourne Show at the following locations:
– Entry to The Weekly Times Livestock Pavilion
– RACV Members Café
– Grand Boulevard opposite the Ferris Wheel
– Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion
– China as a Guest Nation Pavilion
– Outside Winning Tastes Pavilion
Regards,
Jess
Is entry cheaper on the final day?
Hi Traceace,
Unfortunately no, tickets are the same price for each day.
Regards,
Jess
If you pay the $30 for $40 worth of rides, how many rides do you think you could go on within that budget?
Hi Gigi,
Rides at the Royal Melbourne Show vary in cost from approximately $5 – $20 so it depends on the rides you will be taking. The Royal Melbourne Show hasn’t published the ride prices this year, so unfortunately this is the best info to hand.
The larger rides such as Kamikaze and the Big Drop will cost more than the smaller children’s rides, Carousel or the Ferris Wheel.
Regards,
Jess
Hi What time is the motocross show on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th. Thanks
Hi Jen,
On both days the Freestyle Motorcross Stunt Show will be on at 1.15pm & 7.45pm at the Herald Sun Arena (weather permitting) and runs for approximately 30 mins.
Have a great time at the Royal Melbourne Show!
Regards,
Jess
Do you know if ride passes purchased online can be shared between multiple parties?
Hi Dylan,
I have read the terms and conditions and there is nothing that prevents it.
The process for redeeming the passes also seems to allow multiple parties to use the same pass. After purchase, you will receive an email with your ride e-voucher attached. The Melbourne Show website states: “Take a printed copy of your e-voucher, or show the e-voucher barcode from your mobile device, to any information booth or ride redemption booth to receive your activated rides pass. Go to the ticket box office of the ride operator of your choice to swipe your card and use the ride credits from your rides pass.”
There appears no reason why the pass can’t be swiped twice or three times for multiple people on the same ride.
Hope this helps,
Jess
Hi,
Roughly how many rides will I be able to go on at the Royal Melbourne Show with a $20 ($26 worth) ride pass and the $30 ($40 worth) ride pass? Thanks
Hi Carla,
Rides at the Royal Melbourne Show vary in cost from approximately $5 – $20 so it depends on the rides you will be taking. The Royal Melbourne Show hasn’t published the ride prices this year, so unfortunately this is the best info to hand.
The larger rides such as Kamikaze and the Big Drop will cost more than the smaller children’s rides such as the Carousel and the Ferris Wheel.
Regards,
Jess
Hi, I will be visiting the show on Sunday. Are the additional prices (apart from the entry fee) only for rides only or are they applicable to various other shows during the day?
Regards,
Sam
Hi Sam,
The admission fee gets you into all events and exhibits at the show apart from “meet and greet” sessions with singers which require the purchase of a single or album to get an autograph.
All other shows including dog shows, fireworks, Loony Tunes Live, Motorcross show, etc are all included in your admission price.
So the only extra things you will need to pay for extra are any rides, food and showbags.
Regards,
Jess
How many days will home and away cast be there??
Hi Makaila,
The Home and Away cast were at the show on the 18th of September, so unfortunately you have missed them.
Regards,
Jess
What’s the best way to get tickets for me and my 2 children 7 & 9? I have RACV. I am hoping to take them on Thursday
Hi Suz,
You can purchase discounted RACV tickets here.
Regards,
Jess
Do you accept carers card if so what is the cost of a carer and adult
Hi Amanda,
Yes, careers cards are accepted. Carer card holders coming to the Show with the person they are caring for will be admitted free.
Companion Card holders are eligible to purchase the concession rate entry into the Show.
So the Concession rate if you purchase online is $22.50.
Regards,
Jess
Hi I have RACQ membership. Can I use it to get a discount on entry?
Hi Jane,
Sometimes RACV and RACQ have reciprocal discount offers and other discounts are unique to the state