The Royal Hobart Show is returning to its roots and heading back to the city that bears its name.
The Show started on Hobart's Parliament Lawns in 1822 before the City of Hobart even existed, with the young colonial outpost known at the time as Hobart Town.
It moved around the city, including the City of Hobart's Town Hall and New Town's St John's Park, before finding a permanent home at the Glenorchy site in 1904.
But due to the Showgrounds redevelopment now underway – an upgrade to secure the event's future – Australia's oldest show will be centred on the Regatta Grounds for the next three years.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Show's return was a welcome event for the City, providing an opportunity for Showgoers to enjoy themselves at the event before dining out in the CBD just a short walk away.
"When you go to the Show you're walking in the footsteps of generations of Hobartians," Cr Reynolds said.
"You are a part of the great history that is this meeting place for people of the city and regional Tasmania.
"Importantly, the Show is a community undertaking with various volunteer committees drawn from our community who organise everything from Art on Show and Creative Crafts to sheep and cattle competitions."
Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas said the City of Glenorchy would warmly welcome the Show back once the Royal Agriculture Society of Tasmania's redevelopment of the Showgrounds is complete.
"The Showgrounds at Glenorchy is the heartbeat of the Royal Hobart Show and it won't be long before it will be back bigger and better at its spiritual home," Cr Thomas said.
"But in the meantime, we thank the City of Hobart for hosting the much-loved event and urge everyone to get along and support the Show at the Regatta Grounds."
Being next to the River Derwent opens up new opportunities for the Show, which will feature water skiing and jet pack acrobatics on the water for the first time, as well as all the traditional favourites such as thoroughbred pig racing, bullock displays, show bags, woodchopping, show dog competitions and a Friday night fireworks display.
Scott Gadd, the chief executive officer of the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, which operates the Royal Hobart Show, said it had been a perfect partnership with the City of Hobart.
"We've been really happy with the cooperation we've received from everybody involved at the City of Hobart," Mr Gadd said.
"They have facilitated meetings and couldn't have done enough for us.
"They have made us feel so welcome to bring the Show to the Regatta Grounds, I couldn't be happier."
Car access and parking for the Show will be set up the same as per the Hobart Regatta.
The Royal Hobart Show will start at the Regatta Grounds with dog competitions and woodchopping on Wednesday, with the rest of the event running from Thursday to Saturday.
