The Royal Adelaide Show
The Royal Adelaide Show has been the annual meeting place for country and city since the first agricultural show held at the Exhibition Building on North Terrace in 1844.
Children at the Royal Adelaide Show Exhibition Building, North Terrace by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Children at the gates to the Royal Adelaide Show, Exhibition Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, in September 1922.
Children sitting on the grass at the Royal Adelaide Show Exhibition Building, North Terrace by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Children sitting on the grass at the Royal Adelaide Show, Exhibition Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, in September 1922.
Children at the Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Children at the Royal Adelaide Show, Exhibition Building, North Terrace, September 1922.
Products of the South East by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Products of the South East on display, 1922.
Grand Parade at the Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Livestock in the Grand Parade at the Royal Adelaide Show, September 1922.
Live stock being exhibited for the Grand Parade at the Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Move to Wayville
In 1925 the Royal Adelaide Show was relocated to Wayville, where it has been held ever since. In 1926 show bags, or sample bags as they were then, were introduced. The Landmark Centennial Hall was constructed between 1935-1936, since demolished for the Goyder Pavilion construction in 2007. The Show has continued to evolve over the years with new exhibits, competitions and sideshow attractions. The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia manages the show, its most public activity, which is still a meeting place for country and city.
Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
With the greater space, 56 acres (22.7 hectares), the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society was able to purpose build venues. Business houses also began building their own permanent structures.
Royal Adelaide show showing people sitting on benches by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Agricultural machinery on the new Show Ground, Wayville.
People at Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Crowds enjoying a day out at the Royal Adelaide Show with the Department of Agriculture building, or Agricultural Hall, (left) among those visible in the background.
Poultry exhibit in the Agricultural Hall, 1929.
Dairy Display at Agricultural Show, Royal Adelaide Show, Wayville by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Dairy display at the Royal Adelaide Show, Wayville.
Fruit display in the Agricultural Hall.
A display of Tobacco products in the Agricultural Hall at the Royal Adelaide Show, 1929. Tobacco was once considered a valuable economic crop and displayed along with other food produce. Displays such as this have been phased out as health awareness and societal attitudes have changed.
Prize Bull - Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Prize Bull on show.
Prize Ram at Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Prize ram with his winning ribbon.
Royal Adelaide Show Parade (c. 1948) by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
The Grand Parade on the new Wayville grounds.
People at Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Cooking Exhibition (1936) by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Cooking exhibitions in the 1930s indicate that Domestic Science was by then an established school subject for girls. They reflected gender roles at the time as well as technological developments.
Motor Pavilion Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Motor Pavilion with a variety of vehicles on display, 1927.
New Show Grounds at Royal Adelaide Show Wayville by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Woodchopping Competition - Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Wood-chopping competition, 1936.
The use of axes was important for farmers clearing the land before chainsaws were invented. Skilled axemen were also especially regarded in the forestry industry.
Woodchopping Competition (1936) by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Wine Kiosk, Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Royal Adelaide Show, Wine Display by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
Royal Adelaide Show by State Government PhotographerHistory Trust of South Australia
The Royal Adelaide Show continues to attract people from country South Australia and Adelaide, just as can be seen here in 1948. Fashion and food may have changed slightly, but many traditions remain.
All photographs featured here are from the South Australian Government Photographic Collection. These photographs are released as Public Domain.
