Gates open for Field Days

Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Thousands of people began pouring through the gates at the Yorke Peninsula Field Days site near Paskeville this morning.

The biennial event, running from Tuesday, September 30, to Thursday, October 2, features more than 500 exhibitors along with a range of free activities, events and displays for all ages.

The YP Field Days is not only one of the region’s largest events but also Australia’s oldest field days, dating back to trials held near Bute in 1895.

This year’s event is expected to inject between $5 million and $8 million into the local economy through spending on accommodation, food, fuel, exhibitor site fees and other services. Attendance could reach up to 30,000 visitors over the three days.

Copper Coast Council chief executive Dylan Strong said the field days were nationally significant and a huge drawcard for the area.

“The YP Field Days showcase the innovation and strength of our farming community, and deliver a major boost to local tourism and hospitality, with places like Wallaroo Holiday Park fully booked,” he said.

“In a period when uncontrollable events like the algal bloom or drought affect our industries and communities, it is fantastic to see the community buzzing with excitement and the associated uptick in the local economy.”

YPFD president Greg Stevens said, in addition to sales by exhibitors and spending with local providers of food, accommodation and other goods and services, the event was a unique opportunity for local sporting clubs and other community groups to raise money.

Among those groups is Paskeville Sporting Bodies, representing the local football, netball, basketball, tennis and bowling clubs.

PSB operates three canteens at the field days and offers evening meals and caravan and camping sites for four nights this week at its community centre in the Paskeville township.

“The money goes towards things such as town maintenance, sporting facility upgrades and reduced sporting club fees and memberships,” PSB president Marty Daniel said.

“Between 1500 and 2000 hours of volunteer work goes into this from our awesome community members, and it’s great to see such a tangible effect on not just the Paskeville community, but the YP community, from this event.”

Other local groups involved at the field days include the Lions Clubs of Wallaroo and Kadina, Clinton Centre Uniting Church, Stansbury Community Centre, Moonta Football Club, and the Wallaroo Football and Netball Clubs. Making their field days debut this year are the Port Hughes Bowling Club and Futures Church Copper Coast.

The field days were officially opened this afternoon by Member for Grey Tom Venning, who highlighted his commitment to supporting regional industries and reducing the cost of doing business in regional Australia.

“Everyone on the planet needs a farmer,” he said.

“You need a farmer every day, three times a day, for breakfast lunch and dinner.”

Slow down around Field Days site

Motorists are being urged to slow down and observe special speed limits in place around the Yorke Peninsula Field Days site at Paskeville.

A community event speed restriction of 60km/h is in place this week on roads leading to the site, as indicated by signs.

YPFD president Greg Stevens appealed for drivers to take care following an accident about 400 metres east of the site midmorning yesterday, Monday, September 29.

An SA Police spokesperson said a Kia sedan hit the rear of a truck which had slowed down and was travelling in front of it.

The truck driver was not injured and the Kia driver, a 76-year-old woman from Moonta, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

She was issued with an expiation notice for following too close to another vehicle.

Free bus service

A free bus service is available to and from the Yorke Peninsula Field Days, departing and returning each day of the event from Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta.

The 48-seat bus will leave from the car park opposite the Kadina Mobil service station on Frances Terrace at 8.30am, Wallaroo Town Hall at 8.45am and Moonta Town Hall at 9am.

The bus will depart from the YPFD front gate at 4pm for passengers returning to the three towns.

The service is provided by YPFD and run by Yorke Peninsula Coaches, phone 8821 2755 or call YPFD on 8827 2040 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 30 September 2025.