Royal Adelaide Show | Accessibility & Inclusion for Everyone

The Royal Adelaide Show isn’t just a fun, family friendly experience, it’s also well thought out, accessible and inclusive for all.

Review by Angelica-Hazel Toutounji

Growing up I never thought about accessibility. I was too concerned with the latest show bag, getting my thrills on the rides and eating as much sugar as my stomach allowed. However, visiting the show as a parent (and someone who has had their own health challenges), I find myself older, wiser and much more aware of not only my surroundings but other people too. Something that struck me this year when visiting the Royal Adelaide Show was how well it caters to people from all walks of life, with various needs and differing abilities.

Visiting the gardening section in the Goyder Pavilion we were struck by the awe and beauty of the bonsai trees, colourful flowers and garden displays. We were also fortunate enough to strike up a conversation with popular television personality Costa Georgiadis. Costa was kind, warm, passionate and while speaking with him we noticed so many people were drawn to him, young, old and people of various abilities. Costa mentioned that he remembers many people that visit him over the years and spoke about how gardening is supportive for mental and physical wellbeing. It was a short interaction but a lovely one and it made us reflect on how exhibits like “Grow- All Gardens Great & Small” are not only pretty to look at but interesting and engaging for all walks of life.

Moving through the showground, we noticed that the exhibits were well spaced allowing wheelchair and stroller access throughout. We spotted ramps, lifts, wheelchair friendly toilets as well as wheelchair viewing platforms in the various grandstands. We also tried out a new Ferris Wheel on our visit – the Crown Wheel – which is 35 metres tall, fully enclosed and able to be accessed by wheelchairs and those with additional needs.

Sensory Hours

Something else that we found inclusive about the show is their sensory hours, scattered throughout the week. During designated hours carnival operators turn off the lights, strobes and music, making the space more accessible for people with additional needs. Alongside this there is a SACARE carers lounge and change facilities in the Vili’s Dog pavilion with a chill-out zone and area for food and medicine.

Last but not least, with the cost of everything around us seeming to rise, it was great to see so many free activities available at the Royal Adelaide Show, making the event enjoyable for individuals and families across a wide range of financial circumstances and budgets.

DISCOVER THE BEST FREE ACTIVITIES AT THE ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW

With so much to see and so much to do, there is a lot to love about the Royal Adelaide Show and so many compelling reasons to enjoy a day (or night) out with your family!  

For more information and all enquiries please visit the Royal Adelaide Show website.

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (2026).

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