For many families, including ours, the spring school holidays are always marked by a visit to the Melbourne Royal Show. Every year we look forward to the mix of entertainment, agriculture, attractions and food.
The Melbourne Show is back for 2026, running from Thursday 24 September to Sunday 4 October at the Melbourne Showgrounds in Flemington — 11 days this time, one more than last year.
We’ve been visiting the Melbourne Show with Lady AB (and later, Baby 2.0) since she was 4 years old. Here are our best tips for tackling the 2026 Show, including where to find accessibility support if your family needs it.
MELBOURNE SHOW TIPS
1. You Must Prepurchase Tickets Online
Loyalty Access for 2026 tickets opens Thursday 20 August, giving past visitors and subscribers first access to the best-value prices. Public tickets go on sale to everyone from Monday 24 August.
As always, tickets must be bought online — there’s no buying at the gate.
Kids 4 and under don’t need a ticket and get in free every day.
If you’re not sure which day you’ll go, wait for Flexi-Tickets, which go on sale Monday 24 August and let you pick any single day of the 11-day Show rather than locking in a date upfront.
Seniors Card holders get a discounted ticket on Seniors Day, which falls on Day 6 this year — Tuesday 29 September.
New for 2026 is an Unlimited Rides Pass, but it’s only valid on opening day, Thursday 24 September, between 10am and 2pm (pony rides excluded). There are two versions depending on your child’s height, so it’s worth checking which one applies before you buy.
If you visit more than once a year, a Melbourne Royal membership gets you unlimited entry across all 11 days plus other perks.
2. Arrive Before Gates Open at 9:30am
The gates open at 9:30am and on Day 1 we find the lines to enter and to find parking are already huge. I would be aiming to arrive by 9am if you want a relaxed start to the day without too much waiting around.
If you are there as the gates open you can walk around and get your bearings, without the crowds and the noise.
Of course, weekends are busier than weekdays so if you have the opportunity to do so I’d recommend going in off-peak times.
3. Enter via Gate 5 if you can
Gate 5 on Langs Road has traditionally been a quieter entrance for families, away from the train station crowds, leading into the ride precinct. The Animal Nursery has moved to a new location for 2026, so it’s worth checking the Show map (released closer to the date) before you decide which gate suits your family best.
4. Take the train or ride a bike
Public transport is even better value this year. Under-18s travel free on a Youth myki, and adult fares are half price on metro trains, trams and buses, plus V/Line fares are capped at $5.70. That’s a solid saving if you’re coming from outside the city.
Metro Trains run extra services every 10 minutes into Showgrounds Station during the morning peak, departing from Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations. The first train leaves Flinders Street at 9.10am, and the last train back to the city leaves Showgrounds Station at 10.30pm — handy if you’re staying for fireworks.
Trams: the 57 runs from Elizabeth Street/Flinders Street in the city to Stop 33, Melbourne Showgrounds on Epsom Road, with extra services running every day of the Show.
Buses: the 404 runs from Footscray through Moonee Ponds to Epsom Road, and the 472 runs from Williamstown through Moonee Ponds to Langs Road/Epsom Road.
If at all possible, do not drive or take any form of road transport like a taxi, uber or bus.
I thought I was smart by not driving and choosing to take public transport via bus #472 from Williamstown via Footscray. But Racecourse Road and Langs Road were both jammed for kilometres when we arrived on Day 1 at 9:30am. The traffic on Langs Road was backed up back to Footscray Park, so most people (including us) opted to get off the bus and walk.
There were reports of people waiting an hour in the car line to get to the parking. Not a great way to start the day!
There’s a train station for Flemington Showgrounds that opens during special events which drops you off right at one of the entrances (not Gate 5 though). It’s quite a jam with more than usual prams on board, so be kind and patient.
Better still, ride a bike! In previous years we have cycled right up to Gate 5, parked our bike and strolled in. Riding home is a great way to decompress after the sensory stimulation of the show.
Car Parking at the Melbourne Show
Parking has moved to one central location for 2026: the VRC-managed car park at Flemington Racecourse, $30 per vehicle per day, card only (no cash). You can get in via Flemington Drive off Epsom Road or Stables Drive off Smithfield Road. The car park opens at 8am, with last entry at 8pm, and from there it’s a walk through the rail underpass to the Showgrounds.
One to flag: if you’re going on Saturday 3 October, parking at Flemington Racecourse will be limited because it’s also Turnbull Stakes Day at the track. The Show organisers are recommending the train for that day specifically.
Ascot Vale West Primary School is another popular car parking spot for $25 a day, raising money for the school.
Riding a bike to Gate 5 is still a great option if you’re up for it — nothing about that has changed.
5. Split up to redeem your ride pass
You can save up to 25% when you purchase your Ride Pass online at the same time as purchasing your entry tickets i.e. you cannot purchase them separately.
Ride Passes are available in a range of values, and each pass can be shared between more than one person.
You will receive your ride pass as a voucher attached to your e-ticket, which must be exchanged at any of the Show Information Booths for your Ride Pass.
The bad news is that there is no secret short line for any of the Show Information Booths – I went to every single one and they all had long queues!
The good news is that if you’re able to, the best thing to do is split up the adults. One adult stands in line to redeem the ride pass, while the other adult takes the kids to look at some of the non-ride attractions, or to the toilets, etc.
If you arrive right on opening time, then your first port of call should be the ride pass redemption line. Over the course of the day, the queue just keeps on getting longer, and longer, and longer…
Note the Kids Carnival is best for under 5s, while the Thrill Seekers is for older kids and many rides have height restrictions of 140cm+.
Ride passes now come in Digital or Physical formats. Digital passes load straight to your Apple or Google Wallet; physical vouchers still need to be exchanged at an Information Booth. One thing worth flagging: if you go digital and don’t use all the credit, it’s forfeited at the end of the Show, so make sure the kids use it up across your visit.
If you’re going on opening day only (Thursday 24 September), the new Unlimited Rides Pass between 10am and 2pm might work out better value than a standard pass — see Tip 1.
6. Agree on a budget before you go
Budgets can really blow out at the show if you don’t agree with your kids beforehand on how many rides/showbags/treats they’re allowed.
It doesn’t stop the nagging but at least you can consistently refuse if it hasn’t been agreed. After a while, I just say “I’m not answering that question,” every time a child asks to buy/ride something that isn’t pre-agreed.
We always go on the Ferris Wheel as it provides excellent views of the Showgrounds and Melbourne city and is a great way to absorb the atmosphere, colour and lights. We try to ride it as soon as we arrive to avoid the queues.
Note the most popular, high-quality showbags are typically around $32 each and most rides are $10 each, with some being $8 and others being $15.
7. What to see for free at the Melbourne Show
The Melbourne Show offers lots of included activities with the entry fee, so it’s possible to spend the whole day at the show on a tight budget.
In my experience, the lines can be long for the Animal Nursery, where you get to feed and pet farm animals, so head there first.
The Animal Nursery has moved to a new, bigger location for 2026, with more room to get up close with lambs, piglets and goats. It’s open daily from 9.30am to 7pm, and feed cups are $3 if you want to make some furry friends. If you time it right, there’s a Pat a Pig session daily at 12.15pm, 2pm and 5.30pm.
You have to pay a small amount for animal feed if they are allowing it this year.
Afterwards, there are more farm animals to view in the outdoor Animal Farmyard. Sit under the shade of the beautiful blossom trees and watch the animals go about their business.
Other free animal-related activities are inside the Livestock Pavilion where you can watch events like sheep shearing demonstrations and outdoor animal demonstrations happen all day all over the site.
We always enjoy admiring the handiwork inside the Spotlight Makers Pavilion.
PAW Patrol Playland
New for 2026 and included in your entry ticket, PAW Patrol Playland is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Kids can putt around the PAW Patrol-themed mini golf course, race the scooter track, dig for dinosaurs in Rubble’s Dino Construction Zone, learn to draw their favourite pups, and meet Marshall, Chase, Skye and Rubble in person throughout the day — plus climb aboard the PAW Patroller for photos. Worth building into your morning if you’ve got Paw Patrol fans in tow.
8. Where to eat at the Melbourne Show
If you’re on a tight budget, then BYO food and drinks. I always BYO snacks, but like to buy something to eat at the show as well, such as ice-cream. Just don’t take glass or eskies into the show; bags are checked on entry.
In previous years, we’ve headed to Eat Street for the famous cheese toasties and the Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion contains some artisan, gourmet producers inside.
Here are some of the fun snacks we’ve had in previous years!
9. Dress in bright colours and take a photo
One of my enduring memories is visiting the show on a cool and blustery day, so I have to buy an emergency onesie for Baby 2.0 (who is optimistically sporting a T-shirt and shorts).
Turns out the dino outfit is a godsend for finding him amongst the crowds! If you don’t have kids that you can restrain in a pram then dress them in bright colours or headwear so you can spot them when they inevitably walk towards some new temptation.
I also recommend giving your child a wristband or lanyard where you can write your name and phone number (or write it on their hand or arm).
Readers have also suggested the following advice for lost kids:
- ‘I gave my son, 3, a card with his name and my phone number on it and put it in his pocket. I told him that if he gets lost to go up to a grown-up and give them the card. We got separated for 2 mins at the animal nursery, and when I found him he had the card in his hand about to approach an adult for help.’
- ‘The most important thing for going to the show with kids (in addition to the wristbands) is to photograph them, in the clothes they are wearing on the day before you go. If you lose them, report to the “pie in the sky”, and show the photos. The photos are sent to the control room and on to security at all the gates. This is the advice from the safety manager of the Showgrounds.’
10. Bring a water bottle, snacks and sunscreen
Walking around the showgrounds is hot and thirsty work, and you don’t want to keep buying bottled water.
Bring a bottle to refill from the many free drinking fountains and maybe some healthy snacks too.
And of course, be sun smart. Wear a hat and put on some sunscreen so you have the stamina to enjoy the attractions.
11. Use the Quiet Space if you need
On Level 1 of the Spotlight Makers Pavilion you’ll find a quiet space with facilities by ONCALL Group Australia for people with sensory processing issues. (In case the location has changed this year, it will be marked on the Show map once it is released closer to the Show).
The Sensory Room has comfortable seating, soft lighting, calming jellyfish lamps, weighted animals, sensory tents. Fully trained support workers are on-hand from 9:30am-7:30pm daily.
Hot tip: the Show in general is very noisy even for those without sensory issues, so packing some ear muffs or headphones can help alleviate the stress. I carry around a pair of noise-cancelling AirPods everywhere I go, whether for me or the kids.
Accessibility tips for the Melbourne Show
If someone in your family needs extra support to enjoy the day, the Association for Children with a Disability has put together an accessibility guide for the Melbourne Royal Show. A few of the highlights:
- Go at quieter times. Weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded, giving you more room to move at your own pace.
- Accessible parking and drop-off are available close to the entrances. Read below.
- A Changing Places toilet and a sensory room are on site to make the day more comfortable for the whole family.
- Staff wearing a sunflower badge are on hand to support visitors with disability.
- The Ferris wheel is wheelchair accessible, so everyone can take in the view from above.
- Carer Card holders get concession entry, and Companion Card holders can bring a support person in free with a paid ticket.
- Equipment hire: standard manual wheelchairs can be hired on-site for $5 per hour (credit card deposit required) from the Lost Persons/Lost Property Centre. Mobility scooters aren’t available for hire.
There are 48 accessible parking bays on-site, accessed via Gate 7 (the VIP & Accessible Carpark off Leonards Crescent), from 9.30am daily — $30, eftpos only, and you’ll need a valid accessible parking permit displayed. If that car park fills up, there’s also accessible parking off-site at Flemington Racecourse, but it involves an uphill walk through the underpass, so the Gate 7 drop-off is the easier option if that’s a concern. Taxi and rideshare drop-offs for accessible access are via the Epsom Road entrance.
Read the full guide, including planning tips, on the ACD website.
12. Don’t expect to stay the whole day
The showgrounds are big, busy, noisy and really over-stimulating for everyone after a while, especially in the sun.
In previous years we last about 2.5 and up to 4.5 hours – it really depends on your family’s stamina.
In my view, pushing a pram through noisy crowds is no fun for anyone and in many places e.g. the Animal Nursery you have to park your pram. So personally I don’t think the show is a great place to take babies or toddlers.
If needed, you can get a pass out.
13. Showbag management
Plan what showbags you’re going to buy (if any) by checking them out online beforehand.
The Showbag Pavilion is attached to the main indoor food area Eat Street, so it’s harder to avoid than when it was in a separate building. So we agree with the kids that they can buy one showbag only and preferably not one full of plastic junk.
So Lady AB ends up with the Bubble Tea showbag and Baby 2.0 gets the Pokemon showbag. Each of the showbags is $32 (!) but at least there are some practical items in there such as a backpack, drink bottle, pens and writing sets.
I recommend buying your showbags at the end of your visit or hiring a $2 locker in the public stand (a good midway point between all the attractions) so you’re not hauling stuff around everywhere.
Note also that while the crowds are much smaller towards the end of the show period, popular showbags do sell out.
14. Support your family’s wellbeing at the Show
Farm Angels is the Official Charity Partner for the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show. It’s a not-for-profit that supports Australian farming families through hard times — droughts, floods, fires and other setbacks — with practical help like essential goods, bill assistance and a listening ear when things get tough on the land.
You’ll see the charity woven into a few spots around the Show. There’s an encouraged donation point at the Alpaca Encounter in the Animal & Farm Experiences area, and you can also add a donation when you book your tickets online if you’d like to support their work.
Given the Show’s roots are in Victorian agriculture, it’s a fitting cause — every visit and every donation helps keep farming families going through the seasons that don’t go their way.
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Melbourne Show
1. It’s nearly 180 years old. The first Show was held in 1848, making the 2026 event one of the longest-running traditions in Victoria.
2. More than 5,000 animals turn up each year. From prize cattle to tiny chicks, the sheer number of animals on site is part of what makes the Show feel different from a regular day out.
3. Showbags are a genuinely Australian thing. You won’t find anything quite like them overseas — they started as a way for exhibitors to hand out product samples and turned into a Show institution in their own right.
4. The Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout is one of the country’s most prestigious riding events. It’s been running since 1934 and is named in memory of Violet Murrell, a champion horsewoman who died trying to save her horse, Garryowen, from a stable fire.
5. Over 2,200 blue ribbons are handed out every year, across everything from livestock to cookery and craft.
6. It runs on volunteers — more than 1,000 of them help bring the Show to life each year.
7. It started life as a ploughing match. The very first Show in 1848 was organised by the Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society.
8. Bertie Beetle has been a Show staple since 1963. He first turned up as a bonus in the Hoadley’s Chocolate showbag, before earning his own showbag a couple of years later — and he’s still a favourite today.
9. The Show earned its “Royal” title in 1890, when Queen Victoria granted the honour.
10. Over 400,000 people come through the gates each year. If you’re one of them this September, you’ll be in good company.
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