About us

Adelaide River Show Society Inc is a not for profit organisation which owns the Crown Lease in Perpetuity  of Lot 158, Dorat Road, a parcel of land (24 hectares) on the edge of the Adelaide River township. Over the years through the hard work of many volunteers and grants the magnificent current facilities have been developed.

The  ARSS precinct, known as the show grounds, is the home of the Adelaide River Races, the Adelaide River Show, the NT Adelaide River Country Music Talent Quest, the Adelaide River Christmas Tree, the Black Tie Ball, the Darwin Quarter Horse Association Bush Camp section, the Humpty Doo Polocrosse Club and The NT ARSSUM. The turf race track is the only grass track in the NT.

The ARSS precinct also acts as the town hall of Adelaide River: most major community meetings are held in the Brett Pavilion, the fun bus comes monthly, blue light discoes, the community fireworks, community groups needing a meeting place use these facilities. During emergency situations the facilities have been used to house/feed those affected by flood and those heading south with horses in cyclone times. It is the home of the Coomalie breakfast after the ANZAC service at the Adelaide River War graves and the ANZAC exhibition which has much information on the local war history only aired at that time.  It is also the home of the community pool which is used by locals in the wet season and tourists in the dry. ARSS maintains the pool all year round.

ARSS has traditionally been the glue for the local community, with local weddings, births, birthdays, wakes and even funeral services being held there.

The facilities and events only happen through volunteer labour and excellent support from our sponsors, grants and the tireless work of the Management Committee. Adelaide River may be a small town but the facilities of the ARSS precinct and the events run there stand as a testimony to the drive, generosity and vision of 60 years of volunteers.