Helicopter rides and a reptile kingdom to draw crowds to Goulburn Show

If helicopter rides and a reptile kingdom, plus sideshow alley rides, roaming clown performances and popular pig races, can’t tempt you to this weekend’s 141st Goulburn Show on 6-7 March, perhaps the jam-packed pavilions will.

For the first time in 10 years, the agricultural show will have a sheep competition – with 100 heavy wool and meat breeds already entered – alongside cattle, goats, alpacas, chickens, cats and rabbits.

Traditional exhibits such as flowers, jams, vegetables, homemade brews, wool and art will also pack inside the pavilions, while woodchopping, chainsaw carving, vintage machinery, horse events and dog demonstrations will grab the attention of outdoor spectators.

Goulburn Show Society president Jacki Waugh says she expects a strong crowd with warm weather on the cards and locals excited to see an event on their calendar after so many of them were cancelled due to COVID-19.

“We’ll have a lot of entries in the pavilion and there should be a really strong flower and produce section after such a good season,” says Jacki.

“The racing pigs; dog events, such as the high jump, flyball and sheep herding; and sideshow alley are not to be missed, either.”

The show society was nervous that pig races wouldn’t return to this year’s show, with the organisers located in Queensland. However, state borders reopened just in time.

Jacki predicts a large number of horse competitors in the showjumping and barrel racing events, with many keen to compete ahead of this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Animal lovers can also get up close to snakes, crocodiles and lizards inside the reptile kingdom, situated between the sheep and goat pavilions.

However, if animals aren’t your thing, check out the Young Farmers Challenge, where experienced locals roll up their sleeves to show punters how it’s done in the bush. Tasks will include moving livestock between pens, rolling up a swag and a bale of wool, which can weigh up to 204kg!

There will also be plenty of rides at sideshow alley and showbags for the young and adventurous.

If the rides don’t send you to dizzying heights, buckle up for a five-minute helicopter ride over the showgrounds and city of Goulburn.

If you’re feeling peckish after all that entertainment, the Country Women’s Association will be serving scrumptious Devonshire teas, and there will be plenty of food and market stalls all weekend.

The only difference at this year’s show will be the QR code sign-in, marshalls, limits on entries into the pavilions and the vigilant cleaning that will take place behind the scenes to ensure the show remains COVID-19 safe.

Jacki says the show society and wider Goulburn community are just thrilled the event can go ahead after some uncertainty in the months leading up to it.

“It sort of doesn’t feel real, but the community is getting really excited about it because there is going to be an event on,” she says. “I think there’s a really good buzz about it so I hope what I’m feeling is what everyone else is feeling.”

Gates will be open on Saturday, 6 March, from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday, 7 March, from 9 am to 4 pm.

There will be a free bus running every hour between Goulburn Workers Club and the show.

Admission fees: family (two adults and two children), $30; adults, $15; concession, $5; children 17 and under, $5; preschool children and under, free.

For more information, as well as the Goulburn Show’s program and map, click here.