It is held during the school holidays in September each year, and is obviously a major attraction for families. It is usually filled with families and teens, though you will find fun-loving, young-at-heart childless adults there as well!

Some of the highlights of the Show are:

• the animal nursery (the baby animals are so cute!)
• the various animals (from cows, horses, and dogs and cats, chickens, and fish)
• the rides (from the huge ferris wheel to roller coasters to ghost trains)
• the show bags (bags filled with samples from toys to lollies to Coke to magazines, for kids and adults)
• the horticulture pavilion (filled with fruit, vegetables, and more to buy and to taste)
• the dairy pavilion (lots of dairy products, from ice cream to Big Ms to buy and to taste)
• the government expo (activities, displays, and information on all types of things!)
• the main arena (where you can watch the grand animal parade to precision driving to fireworks!)

You can get there from Melbourne by car (parking costs about AUD$10), bus, tram, or train. If I am in the city, I prefer to take the train--it's a direct route, costs the same as a normal train ticket, and the station is right at one of the showground's entries.

Prices are about AUD$20 for an adult, AUD$15 for concession, and AUD$10 for children. A family pass costs about AUD$60 for two adults and three children. Entry after 5pm is cheaper, as are group bookings. Seniors get tickets for AUD$10 on Seniors' Day. Tickets can be purchased at the Show itself and at various outlets (check at the website to see where).