Roll Up, Roll Up! It’s the Royal Melbourne Show!
An experience that is a rite of passage as much as a fun spring holiday adventure, the Royal Melbourne Show enjoys a special place in our collective childhood memories. Do you remember your first visit to the Royal Melbourne Show, dagwood dog in hand and ticket to the ferris wheel in pocket? In today’s C&G blog we feature some of the best activities of 2014’s show (running from the 20th September – 1st October) across the categories of food, agriculture, entertainment and the all-important SHOWBAGS!
With children and adults increasingly living in densely populated urban surrounds and engaged with technology, we’re at risk of losing our connection to the land. A trip to the show is a fun way to learn about Australian agriculture, and a wonderful way of introducing your kids to farm animals they may never have seen ‘up close’ before. Feed and cuddle over 450 baby animals (mini-goats, piglets, lambs and chickens) at the Jayco Animal Nursery with adjoining Educational Hub where you’ll learn about life on the farm from the farmers themselves. Come to terms with the circle of life at Paddock To Plate, an interactive pavilion full of educational exhibits that highlight the origins of our food. Be ‘udderly cool’ at the Legendary Milking Barn, where you can try out hand milking a cow – you’ll never look at a carton of milk the same way! Beef up your knowledge (see what we did there?) of the local cattle industry at the Beef Experience, showcasing different breeds of cattle and offering in-depth context on their rearing, care and (eventual) slaughter. There’s also sheep-shearing to watch – and even participate in if you’re feeling enthusiastic!
Game on, foodies! The Royal Melbourne Show has improved from its past of hotdogs and jam ball donuts. Enjoy fantastic food experiences at the Tastes of Victoria Pavilion and get your tastebuds prepped to sample delicious seasonal produce from around the State. Home to the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Deli, the Tastes of Victoria Pavilion presents award-winning coffee, wine, cheese and smallgoods for you to sample and purchase – in addition to the moreish Brew Bar & BBQ featuring craft beers and ciders alongside your preferred cut of Texas BBQ meat. Sweeten things up afterwards with a cheeky treat from the Burch and Purchese Sweet Studio – think crumbling tarts, oozy pies and chocolate everything.
What’s a visit to the Royal Melbourne Show without an armful of showbags to take home and ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over? There’s something for everyone – confectionary showbags (remember the Bertie Beetle Bag?), novelty showbags and the Super Show Trailbag.