Free entry for children at the Melbourne Royal Show amid concerns over ride costs

While children under the age of 14 will be able to go to enter the Melbourne Royal Show for free this year, there are concerns about the rising costs of showbags and rides.

The Victorian Government is providing $3.5 million to Agricultural and Pastoral Societies hosting show’s this year to defray the cost of free entry for children under the age of 14, at more than 100 rural and regional shows across Victoria. $2 million has been pledged by the government to provide free entry to the Melbourne Royal Show.

While free entry will be welcomed by most families attending the Melbourne Royal Show, the free entry is being overshadowed by rising prices.

At yesterday’s launch of the Melbourne Royal Show, Chief Executive Brad Jenkins focussed on the excitement of the event returning after a two-year, pandemic-enforced break noting  “the 2022 Melbourne Royal Show will be a celebration like no other for Victorians, with family fun and farm experiences by day and a feast of fabulous food, entertainment and live music by night.”

The free entry for children allows more families to enjoy all the quintessential favourites including the wood-chop, arts and crafts, showbags and carnival rides - plus the new Show After Dark featuring 11 nights of live music.

However, as reported in The Age, prices have increased across the board, with adult tickets costing $45, up from $42; ride prices up from $6 to $8 for basic rides with some of the larger rides expected to cost $25; and showbags rising from $2 to $3 for a Bertie Beetle bag and from $30 to $32 for a Pokemon or Harry Potter-themed bag. 

Presented by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, the Show remains one of the state’s largest and most iconic annual community events and is a tradition among families and friends, contributing $244 million annually to Victoria’s economy and in previous years has attracted up to 460,000 visitors.

Victorian Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney commented “Agricultural shows are a fixture of Australian society and the Melbourne Royal Show is an institution. It’s great to have the event back on the calendar and to know kids will go free and experience all the Show has to offer.”

The Melbourne Royal Show is at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 22nd September to 2nd October. For more information about the Melbourne Royal  Show visit the royalshow.com.au.

Image top: Credit: Melbourne Royal Show