Few things can spark a childlike sense of joy like a showbag filled with treats from the Royal Easter Show.

Naysayers, we hear you and we know we can pop to the supermarket and buy ourselves a selection of chocolates on any given day – but there’s something to be said for the nostalgic thrill of rifling through a showbag that really can’t be beaten.

The rides, the performances, the chips-on-a-stick… it’s all just a distraction from the real prize – a goodie bag filled to the brim with jolly bug-shaped chocolate.

This year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show will see over 400 showbags jostle for attention within the crowded Showbag Hall.

Bertie Beetle is set to be a favourite yet again this year. The OG Royal Easter Show icon has multiple bags on offer, including a celebratory 60th Anniversary Bertie Beetle Showbag ($25) chock-full of 60 Bertie Beetle chocolates plus a set of Bertie Beetle egg cups and a Bertie Beetle birthday card.

If you spent all your money on the Crazy Spinning Coaster, you can even pick up a classic Bertie Beetle Blue showbag for just $3. Or, upgrade to the Retro Bertie Beetle Bag ($18) which includes the beloved Beetle chocolates plus a choice of retro bucket hat, camping mug set, collector socks or retro tin.

The Show’s Manager of Operations and Product Development, Shane McGrath, said there is a wide range of Showbags on offer this year, ensuring there’s something for everyone’s taste and budget.

“There’s a broad value offering to choose from in the Showbag Pavilion this year, with the new and classic bag prices ranging from $3 to $35, and 93 Showbags for $10 or less,” Mr McGrath said.

A team of 39 kids from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and Bear Cottage, picked out the Top 10 Showbags for 2023. Here’s their verdict.

– Bertie Beetle Bonanza ($15)
– May Gibbs ($32)
– Bluey ($32)
– Fyna Licorice Bag ($12.50)
– Bubble Tea ($32)
– Nude by Nature Skincare ($30)
– Darrell Lea Rocklea Road ($25)
– Onesimals ($32)
– Minecraft Backpack Bag ($35)
– Super Milkybar ($16)

Suffer from decision fatigue?  You can head online to eastershow.com.au in advance of the show so you know exactly what you want before you arrive.

Organisers also recommend that you leave picking out a showbag until the end, that way you don’t have to worry about holding on to it all day. Or if you can’t wait, there are lockers available just outside the Showbag Pavilion $12 for a regular and $20 for a jumbo size. But honestly, for that dosh you could just buy yourself another showbag.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show runs from April 6 – 17, 2023. For more details, head to eastershow.com.au.