The Thirlmere Festival of Steam is a fun community event held annually at the NSW Rail Museum in Autumn.
Come with your family and friends and explore this beautiful little town as you enjoy the festival atmosphere with market stalls, live music and train rides!
Thirlmere Festival of Steam 2025, Dates, Map, Times & Museum Address
Join us as the NSW Rail Museum and the charming town of Thirlmere come alive with the sights, sounds, and excitement of steam-powered history.
Enjoy a ride aboard an authentic steam train, marvel at vintage machinery, and explore an array of interactive displays, demonstrations, and family-friendly festival fun all weekend long.
Whether you’re a history buff, a train enthusiast, or just looking for a fantastic day out, the Thirlmere Festival of Steam is an event not to be missed!
For over 30 years, the annual Thirlmere Festival of Steam has been a community celebration of steam and nostalgia.
Originally held in March to officially ‘open’ the steam season, New South Wales’ own premier steam event now takes place during the cooler month of May.
The event is delivered in partnership with Wollondilly Shire Council and Transport Heritage NSW, operators of the NSW Rail Museum.
STEAM TRAIN RIDES
Step back in time and feel the raw power of steam as you journey behind a former NSW Government Railways steam locomotive.
Climb aboard at Thirlmere Station and embark on a 45-minute ride through the picturesque Wollondilly region, heading towards your choice of either Picton or Buxton. Listen to the rhythmic chug of the engine, smell the coal-fired steam, and soak in the nostalgia of rail travel from a bygone era.
But don’t wait – this festival highlight sells out fast!
Steam train ride tickets include admission to the NSW Rail Museum.
DISPLAYS AND ATTRACTIONS
Go beyond trains and see incredible technology from the steam era.
Climb into the cab of working a steam locomotive, watch steam traction engines in action, see an array of historic machinery, learn about the science of steam with a range of experiments and activities, and enjoy live blacksmithing, leather working and coal grab demonstrations.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Uncover the incredible history of steam at the NSW Rail Museum!
Explore Australia’s largest collection of rollingstock and experience the power of steam with these special on-site activities all weekend, including:
- Steam train cab visits – Step inside the driver’s seat of a real steam locomotive.
- Roaming steam traction engines – See these mighty machines in action.
- A working steam coal grab – Watch steam power in motion.
- A steam-powered brake instruction van – Learn how braking systems operated in the age of steam.
- A vintage pump trolley – See operating demonstrations of this unique piece of rail history.
- Live physics shows & experiments – Discover the science behind steam power.
- Leatherworking demonstrations – See traditional craftsmanship up close.
FAMILY CARNIVAL
Get ready for fun for all ages at the Thirlmere Festival of Steam Family Carnival!
Enjoy thrilling rides, classic attractions, and unforgettable moments together. From gentle spins to heart-racing adventures, there’s something for everyone – an adventure awaits you!
A ticketed sensory carnival session will also run on the morning of Saturday, 17 May, from 10:30AM to 12PM.
FESTIVAL STREET PARADE
The annual festival street parade returns!
On Sunday, 18 May, the streets of Thirlmere will come alive. Watch vibrant stilt walkers, talented community groups, dancers, and beloved characters from iconic children’s shows.
FESTIVAL AFTER DARK
The festivities continue into the evening on Saturday, 17 May, with Festival After Dark!
Enjoy a rare opportunity for a steam train ride at night, featuring a double-header of steam locomotives.
Catch live entertainment, wander through a selection of markets and food stalls along Oaks Street, see a range of displays at the NSW Rail Museum, and cap off the night with fireworks at 8PM!
FOOD AND MARKET STALLS
On Saturday, May 17, explore a boutique selection of Market stalls and Food Trucks offering a variety of cuisines and products.
Then, on Sunday, 18 May, Thirlmere’s streets will be closed to transform into a bustling marketplace and culinary heaven with Eat Street! Discover unique crafts, delicious treats, and one-of-a-kind finds.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Across the weekend, enjoy a huge range of FREE live entertainment and music.
On the main stage, you can see local acts, community performance groups, and dance troupes. Plus, across the festival, enjoy children’s pantomime, roving bands, entertainers, and more!
VINTAGE CAR SHOW
Supplement steam with petrol power at our vintage car show! Explore excellent hot rods, classic cars and vintage beauties from a range of enthusiast groups, guaranteed to put a smile on any car enthusiast’s face.
HUFF ‘N’ PUFF ROAD RACE
Do you think you can outrun a steamtrain? On Sunday, 25 May, put yourself to the test in the Huff ‘n’ Puff Road Race!
Returning in 2025, the iconic Huff ‘N Puff Foot Race is back again to challenge competitors racing against a historic steam engine. The Huff ‘N Puff Run will offer two run options:a 6.7km run from Buxton Station to Thirlmere Station and a 3.5km family fun run from Couridjah Station to Thirlmere Station.
Complete your day with FREE entry to the NSW Rail Museum afterwards!
Enjoy an exclusive Steam Train ride from Thirlmere Station to Couridjah Station before disembarking for the Family Fun Run! This 3.7km run back to Thirlmere Station is the perfect entry for beginner runners, families, or those wanting to enjoy a great morning out!
PLUS, all entrants receive Da rink Bottle & Ribbon at the finish line!
Want a bigger challenge? Stay onboard and make your way to Buxton station for the Road Race. There, disembark, put on your race bib and get your timing chip to race against the steam train back to Thirlmere!
All participants receive a race bib, timing chip, medallion, certificate, and FREE entry into the NSW Rail Museum!
PRIZES
- 1st Place Male & Female : $250
- 2nd Place Male & Female: $150
- 1st Place Junior Male & Female: $100
TICKETS
Entry to the festival is FREE! Enjoy live entertainment, see steam machines in action, and watch steam trains depart from Thirlmere Station.
Want to really experience the magic of steam? There’s more to see and do with a ticket to enter the NSW Rail Museum, where you can jump on a steam train ride. Or enjoy carnival rides for the whole family at the Festival of Steam Family Carnival!
Shuttle Bus
Courtesy of the NSW Rail Museum, a FREE shuttle bus will operate to the Thirlmere Festival of Steam from Tahmoor station on Saturday and Sunday.
Buses will operate every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except between 12 and 1 p.m., when they will operate every 30 minutes. Services will continuously loop between Tahmoor Railway Station (George Street) and Thirlmere Station (Thirlmere Way).
Road Closures & Detours
Several road closures will be in place across Thirlmere on Sunday, 18 May, from 6AM to 5PM:
- Oaks St between the railway station roundabout and Carlton Rd
- Mason St from Barbour Rd to Goodlet St
- Close St from Barbour Rd to Campbell St- accessible parking will be provided on Mason St
- Barbour Rd between Oaks St and Lakes St
- Westbourne Ave from South St to Oaks St
Getting There
Nestled in the heart of the Wollondilly region, the town Thirlmere is located 5 minutes southwest of Picton and has been home to the NSW Rail Museum since 1975. It’s an hour south of the Sydney CBD and just 30 minutes from Campbelltown, Wollongong, and Bowral.
Driving to the Thirlmere Festival of Steam offers the most flexibility. However, parking in and around the event will be limited.
NSW Trainlink operates regular train services near Tahmoor Station from the Southern Highlands and Campbelltown / Sydney.
Courtesy of the NSW Rail Museum, a FREE shuttle bus will operate to the Thirlmere Festival of Steam from Tahmoor station on Saturday and Sunday.
Buses will operate every 15 minutes, except between 12 and 1 p.m., when they will operate every 30 minutes. Services will continuously loop between Tahmoor Railway Station (George Street) and Thirlmere Station (Thirlmere Way).
Parking
Street parking is available in Thirlmere. However, due to road closures on Sunday, 18 May, parking will be limited and/or may require you to walk from your vehicle to the festival.
Limited wheelchair-accessible parking locations are available in front of the NSW Rail Museum’s main exhibition building.
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