Do The Royal Adelaide Show for 150 Bucks

It’s Show Time baby!

The Royal Adelaide Show is back from 30 August – 7 September 2025, and we couldn’t be more excited! We know that with rising costs these days, planning a fun family day out can sometimes feel like a balancing act.

If your kids are dreaming of carnival rides, piling up showbags, and tasting every sweet treat in sight, the budget can quickly add up. But don’t worry, with a bit of savvy planning, you can still enjoy a fantastic day at the Show for around $150 for a family of four.

That’s right… your crew can experience the magic of the Show, with rides, laughs, and tasty snacks, without breaking the bank.

And fingers crossed the kids have been saving their birthday money, tooth fairy cash, or even those 10-cent bottle refunds because every little bit helps!

ENTRY FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR: $67

In 2025, weekday entry is your best bet for the most affordable option. This year too, you NEED to pre-purchase them online here or at any Drakes Supermarket store. Plus, kids under 5 years old get in FREE, so if you’re a family of five with a little one under 5, you’re still covered!

Whoops, there’s a big chunk from your budget gone on tickets… however keep reading to make sure you take advantage of the HUNDREDS of activities that is included in your ticket price.

GETTING THERE AND PARKING: FREE or $17

If possible, have someone drop you off and pick you up. It’s free and means less walking and waiting. There are dedicated passenger zones on Rose Terrace and Leader Street for easy drop-offs. And hey, maybe you can return the favour one day!

If that’s not an option, you’ve got choices. Driving and parking, taxis, or public transport all work. Public transport is a winner with the train station right at the Showgrounds and buses stopping nearby. Check the Adelaide Metro website for details. (Kids under 5 travel free!) Parking costs start at $17 if you choose the Parklands (Park 21W or Park 22) or the Netball SA Stadium, which has a free shuttle bus to the Showgrounds. With tickets for a family of four at $67 and parking at $17, you’ll have $66 left from your $150 budget to enjoy rides, snacks, and all the fun the Show has to offer.

Once inside, be sure to grab a free Show Map from any kiosk near the entrance. The entertainment schedule is on the back, so you won’t miss a thing.

ANIMALS: FREE

We recommend heading to some of the animal areas first. All of the animal experiences at the Show are FREE (when we say free, we mean included in your ticket price) and who doesn’t love some animals! Here are some of our top picks:

• The Learning Centre
  An interactive area where you can hold baby chicks, pat animals, watch sheep shearing. You can even feed the baby animals (10:30 am and 3:30 pm) and milk a cow (9:30 am and 4:30 pm).
• Farmyard Nursery
  Kids (and big kids at heart) can cuddle miniature horses, alpacas, goats, and more, including a cow with her calf, a donkey with a foal, and playful lambs.
• Aggie’s Farm
  Kids can become mini farmers, exploring a faux chicken coop, orchards, fishing, and wool shearing. Trade produce for farm dollars and a special sticker.

SNACK TIME: $0

Everyone is probably hungry by now, so give your hands a good wash and sit down to watch some woodchopping while you eat some snacks you brought from home. That’s right – you’re on a budget remember! Don’t forget your water bottles and find a refill station around the grounds.

LET THE KIDS BURN SOME ENERGY: $0

After a quick snack, head over to the Climbing Tree pop-up nature paly space and let the kids expend some energy! This FREE play area, located at Goyder Plaza, features a cubby building zone and nature pods for endless exploration and imaginative play. It’s the perfect spot to get active and have fun in a natural setting.

BOULEVARD STAGE: $0

Just north of the Main Arena, the Boulevard Stage runs family shows from 11:30am to 9:15pm daily. Catch SO FRESH! Hits of the 2000s – Chloe Castledine and crew bring all the nostalgic early 2000s bangers that’ll have you dancing. Don’t miss UNO; One of Many, a hilarious juggling and clowning show with unique props and audience fun as Uno searches for his long-lost family. All this entertainment is included with your entry ticket!

YELLOW BRICK ROAD: $24

The Yellow Brick Road is a beloved Show tradition and a fantastic way to add some local flavour to your day. These bags take you on a journey around the Showgrounds and are filled with delicious South Australian produce and treats from brands like Citrus SA, Gelista, San Remo, and more. For $24, you’ll get two value-packed bags, leaving the budget at $42

LUNCH: $14

Head to the Dairy Food Hall for lunch. With toasties priced at just $3.50, it’s a budget-friendly treat that won’t disappoint. Plus, you can sample a variety of delicious dairy products like cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream while you’re there. It’s the perfect spot to satisfy your cravings and enjoy some cheesy goodness! Four toasties will put your back $14, leaving $28 in the budget for the rest of the day. You got this!

HIT THE PAVILIONS: $0

Let’s start with Jubilee Pavilion, where over 160 exhibitors are divided into four fun zones: Lifestyle, Kid’s Zone, Home & Outdoor Living, and Hello SA. Even if you’re watching the budget, there’s plenty to enjoy, from window shopping and the latest trends to kid-friendly activities and home inspiration.

Over in the Goyder Pavilion, take in the stunning horticulture display, then head to the food and wine area for some delicious free samples – perfect if you’re still a little hungry. While you’re there, DO NOT MISS the Goyder Stage, packed with entertaining shows for the whole family. Catch Bluey – New Live Interactive Experience, join Peppa Pig’s Mini Show for muddy puddle fun, or meet George the Farmer with his toe-tapping songs and farmyard stories. It’s all free – and we LOVE that so much!

Bluey – New Live Interactive Experience | August 30 – September 5 | 11:00 and 1:00 pm
Peppa Pig Mini Show | 1 – 5 September | 3:00 pm
George the Farmer | August 30 – September 7 | 4:00 pm daily

Next up, it’s time to choose your adventure based on your kids’ interests. Will they step back in time or dive into some hands-on fun?

SHOW MUSEUM: $0

For the little history buffs, take the kids on an educational journey at the Show Museum. They’ll explore the lives of early farmers, gardeners, cooks, creators, animal lovers, and winemakers. It’s a fun way to learn about history but might not be for everyone.

GOLDEN GRAINS: $0

If your kids have curious minds, head over to Golden Grains for some hands-on fun! This exhibit is a playground of interactive displays, with a full-time science communicator ready to guide them through exciting activities and learning experiences. We love this one.

TASTE SA PAVILION: $0

By now, everyone might be getting hungry again. Which means it’s the perfect time to head to Taste SA and sample some of the fantastic SA produce on offer. You’ll find Kytons Bakery, smallgoods, olives, confectionery, beverages, baked goods, honey and more! Get sampling and you might even find a new South Aussie favourite.

A COUPLE OF RIDES THAT WON’T BLOW YOUR BUDGET

A ride on the popular Dragon Wagon will set you back $16
Or this year how about the Helter Skelter Slide which is $6 for one slide or two slides for $10

SHOW BAGS: $12

Time to breeze past the showbag hall. We love the Cadbury bags for $6 – I mean, come on, who doesn’t?! There’s so many to chose from, Freddo, Furry Friends, Curly Wurly, Crunchie plus more. Let’s grab the kids one each. But handy to know – there’s actually quite a few showbags on offer for $6-$7

STILL GOING?

If you have little ones, this might be a good time to start wrapping up and head home. But if your kids are a bit older, stick around for the Southern Lights Spectacular, lighting up the sky at the end of each day.

While you wait, there’s plenty more to see on the Main Arena. Catch thrilling motorbike stunts with the Airtime Freestyle Motor X Team, laugh along with the Farmyard Dash, or cheer for your favourite in the Holden v Ford V8 Ute Challenge. Check the schedule here.

By the end of the day, we expect everyone will be happily exhausted and ready for bed! So there you have it… the Royal Adelaide Show for just under $150. With a bit of smart planning, you bring your own food, enjoy rides, and even come home with two showbags each for the kids. Sure, you won’t be lugging around armfuls of prizes and random stuff you didn’t really need, but with $0 left in the budget, that’s pretty impressive value for a full day of fun without breaking the bank!

TOTAL SPENT = $150 SPOT ON (we did it!)

For more ideas, head to our post on Royal Show Tips plus our Top 100 Things We Love at the Show

You can grab your tickets online here