PART amusement park, part zoo and all fun, the Royal Melbourne Show is on again from September 24, and this year promises more emu-burgers, kangaroo-steaks and Australian honey-bee tea than ever before.
The Royal Melbourne Show is now in its 163rd year.
The Royal Melbourne Show is a Victorian institution and boasts attractions for visitors of every age. For international students, it’s a chance to experience all the different aspects of Victoria, taste its delicious (and interesting) food, meet unique Australian animals and check out local music and outback displays.
In its 163rd year, the show is primarily an agricultural festival with plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with cows, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas and many more animals in the livestock pavilion.
Animals lovers can watch the various pet competitions held throughout the event, from showjumping horses and champion dog shows, to a cat, rabbit and guinea pig competition.
Pig Racing at the 2010 Melbourne Show
This year’s show will also have an animal nursery, where you can bask in a supreme amount of cuteness and feed lots of hungry baby animals. You can even milk a cow if you feel like getting your hands dirty.
To keep with the local theme, the Royal Melbourne Show will hold a regular Australian Wildlife Show where you can interact with native Australian birds, marsupials and, if you’re courageous, lizards, snakes and crocodiles. All completely safe and supervised, of course!
But if you’re not too keen on animals, don’t stress. Over the years, the event has taken on a carnival atmosphere with plenty of awesome rides, including dizzying rollercoasters, crazy bumper cars and nerve-wrecking ghost trains, as well as showbags.
This year’s edition will also feature performances by monster truck drivers, motorcross stunt artists, and special guest, Dean Gunnarson – the world’s greatest escape artist.
Rides are aplenty at the Royal Melbourne Show. This one is called the "breakdance ride".
And when you’re tired of watching monster trucks, riding the Ferris Wheel and petting pigs, there are always the shops. Whether you’re looking for handcrafted beads, flower soaps or cooking supplies, the Royal Melbourne Show always has the best market stalls and local vendors.
But for most, the highlight of the show is always the food. You’ll be offered Victoria on a plate with stalls selling local cheeses, sweets, cakes, jams, sauces, teas, wine and beer. Foodies can talk to the farmers themselves and taste shark, crocodile or kangaroo steak. You can even try an emu-burger, which tastes remarkably like chicken. The options are endless.
The Royal Melbourne Show brings the best of Victoria and the best of Melbourne together in one place with a fun carnival atmosphere and plenty to see and do. But make sure you stay until the end. Each night closes with a fantastic fireworks display, set to the hottest music hits.
The Royal Melbourne Show is on from September 24 to October 4 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. You can catch a train direct to the show from Flinders St Station and Southern Cross. Tickets range from $10 to $30 each and the show is open from 9.30am to 9pm daily.
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