Sydney Agrodome Heritage Highlight

The Sydney Agrodome was Australia’s first live ‘Theatre of the Land’ and attracted over 18,000 people in its first six months.

Opened in the middle of the Sydney Showground in the remodelled Dairy Hall during the Easter Show in April 1976, the Agrodome wowed showgoers from the start. With live sheep, wool and dairy components, for many visiting children it was the first time they’d felt wool on a sheep’s back, watched shearing or seen a cow milked.

Modelled on the highly successful Agrodome in Rotorua, New Zealand, but with an all Australian flavour, trained sheep, cattle and sheep dogs were all brought in to entertain and educate.  Right on cue sheep would walk onstage unattended and take their places as a commentator described their attributes. Cows would be milked on stage and a multi-screen audio-visual presentation highlighted aspects of rural life and the importance of agricultural history in the growth of modern Australia.

After the show closed the Agrodome continued as a permanent sheep and wool exhibition on the Showground and attracted tourists and locals alike. Initially created as a joint venture with Expo Promotions Pty Ltd, that partnership dissolved in the first 12 months and the RAS became the sole owner. Despite its initial popularity though, the Society struggled to find promoters and sponsors for Agrodome and it finally closed down in September 1981.