Explore Beyond the Convention
Make the most of your Lions 2026 experience by stepping outside the Adelaide Showgrounds! We have organised a few offsite experiences, excursions, and tours to give you the chance to connect, explore, and discover the best of what Adelaide and South Australia have to offer.
Whether you’re interested in hands-on service projects, meeting amazing local communities, or enjoying iconic sights and hidden gems, there’s something for everyone.
Volunteer at the Hutt St Centre
Lions Convention attendees have the chance to give back by volunteering at the Hutt St Centre (258 Hutt St, Adelaide). We have five lunch shifts available, each from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with four volunteers per shift.
Volunteers will help prepare and serve meals for clients, providing hands-on support to those in need. After your shift, you’ll also enjoy a short tour of the facilities to see the Centre’s work up close.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To get involved, please register your expression of interest via the form. Successful applicants will be contacted with further details.
This is a practical, rewarding opportunity to contribute to the community and experience the Centre’s incredible work firsthand.
Available shifts (4 per shift):
- Tuesday, 19 May 2026 (11am – 1pm)
- Wednesday, 20 May 2026 (11am – 1pm)
- Thursday, 21 May 2026 (11am – 1pm)
- Tuesday, 26 May 2026 (11am – 1pm)
- Wednesday, 27 May 2026 (11am – 1pm)
Important Notes:
If successful, your name and email will be provided to the Hutt St Centre. You will then be asked to complete a short online food safety course before volunteering (the Hutt St Centre will email you the details). It will also be each volunteer’s responsibility to organise transport to and from the centre.
Register Your Interest to Volunteer
Please note this form is for individual registrations. Each person must register their interest separately with their own email address.
Offsite Excursions & Tours
Please note that these tours/experiences are available on Monday, 25 May 2026 after the close of the convention (approx. 1pm). You must first be registered to attend the Convention before registering your interest in the excursions and tours. If you have any questions, please contact us at convention@lions.org.au.
Haigh's Chocolates
Self-Guided Chocolate Experience Tour – A self-guided tour through the original Haigh’s Shop & Factory. There will be plenty of time to explore their shop to browse and purchase (if you want to) from their vast range of delicious products.
Plants for Space
2.5 hours of the world renown Adelaide University Waite Agricultural Science research campus. The Plants for Space project is a worldwide research project led by the Waite Campus, which involves the world’s leading universities, for NASA. This project is about growing food in space e.g. for the International Space Station, or later expeditions to the moon, Mars and beyond. There will of course be important agricultural learnings for here on earth as our agricultural processes have to change due to climate change.
Lions Assistance Dogs Training Centre
Step behind the scenes and experience something truly special with a visit to the Lions Assistance Dogs Training Centre in Verdun.
This one-hour guided tour offers a unique glimpse into the incredible work being done to change lives through highly trained assistance dogs. Your visit will begin with a short introduction, followed by a live demonstration showcasing the skills of a hearing dog (or another assistance dog, depending on interest).
You’ll then enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility, with the opportunity to meet and interact with dogs currently in training. And for an extra heart-melting highlight, if timing allows, you may even meet adorable puppies on site, around 6 weeks old!
Whether you’re a dog lover or simply passionate about service and community impact, this tour is a heartwarming and memorable experience not to be missed.
Australian Space Agency - Lot 14
Experience Australia’s contemporary work and excellence in the national and global space sector.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre, home of the Australian of the Year, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, features over 20 exhibits, an interactive space gallery, a ‘Close to Home’ exhibition, and a theatrette that hosts a range of space-related events and activities