Known variously as County Fairs, or State Fairs, Agricultural Shows have been a rural tradition world-wide since the first one was held in England by the Salford Agricultural Society in Lancashire in 1768. Agricultural Shows have been happening in Australia since the nineteenth Century, and around 580 (around 185 in NSW) occur every year, bringing fun, education and entertainment to urban and rural communities. This year 2024 will be the 86th Comboyne Show, with the first one having been held in 1933.
Something for every age and interest, the beautiful scenic Comboyne Plateau has plenty of natural attractions, but on Saturday 2nd March and Sunday 3rd March, the sleepy village will come alive and the Showground will welcome thousands of competitors and spectators to enjoy:
Comboyne Show – 2nd and 3rd March, 2024
The two days will be quite different, although all the competitive Hall Exhibits, famous for their quality, like Produce, Baking, Art, Photography, Craft, Flowers, Plants, Jams and Pickles will be there both days. Also the funfair attractions – Jumping Castle, Slide and Bungee experience, Reptile Show, Animal Nursery, Music, roving acrobats and Circartus displays will be there both days. Market Stalls will have more variety and interest than ever, and the Comboyne Plateau is well-known for its hospitality and the variety of foods available.
Displays include vintage machinery and trucks, plus the latest in timber mills and farm equipment, and the amazing Chainsaw Sculptures by Terry Everingham.
Saturday will feature Heavy Horse Competitions, and the unique Mate McMillan Stock Horse Challenge, the Championship Dog Show, and amazing Poultry Show. Beef Cattle will be judged in pens of three. On the Sunday, Dairy Cattle will be judged, with Junior handlers, and in the ring the horses take over, with all the equestrian classes and events, including jumping. You will see beautiful, large horses with tiny riders, and of course vice versa!
Comboyne Showground has some new developments you might not expect! As well as the beautiful, unique Billabong building, popular for weddings and events, there’s a new multi-purpose pavilion and Community Evacuation Centre, equipped for Sports Changing rooms, with accessible shower and toilet, impressive camp kitchen and facilities for emergencies. The Thone River as it adjoins the Showground is also being cared for, and will be a great future environmental feature, being home to Platypus species. The platypuses are a feature this year – from the (More than a ) Colouring-In Competition to the “Spot the toy Platypus” code competition involving every aspect of the Show.
The beautiful Comboyne Plateau is a wonderful place to visit, worth the one hour’s drive from Port Macquarie, Laurieton or Taree, to give you a new perspective on the Hastings.
