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 2024, Dates, Map, Times & Museum Address
Delivered in partnership with Transport Heritage NSW, Wollondilly Shire Council and the NSW Rail Museum, New South Wales’ premier steam event will see a superstar line-up of locomotives return to the Loop Line for the two-day extravaganza.
Returning favourites to this year’s festival include steam train rides, traction engines, a vintage car show, the annual parade, and live entertainment. Plus, don’t miss exciting new additions, including fireworks, a bigger carnival, and more!
Locomotives
From 120-year-old suburban locomotive 3001 to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest operating steam locomotive, Beyer-Garratt 6029, visitors will be spoilt for choice with the biggest display of historic NSW railway steam engines at this year’s Thirlmere Festival of Steam.
All locomotives will either feature on display in steam or operate one of the many steam train rides throughout the weekend along the historic Loop Line. Enjoy a 40-minute steam train ride through the picturesque Wollondilly, towards Picton or Buxton, behind a variety of historic steam locomotives.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be a range of smaller steam traction engines in and around the NSW Rail Museum.
Entertainment
The NSW Rail Museum comes to life with an array of steam, including several historic steam locomotives, live model steam engines, full-size and miniature steam traction engines and a display of vintage machinery. Plus, don’t miss roving performers, mini-train rides, railway art displays and more!
On Saturday, youngsters of all ages will find fun and entertainment with a range of amusement rides and display attractions to enjoy from 12:30pm – 9pm. There will also be a selection of carnival food trucks and treats, and fireworks at 9pm.
On Sunday from 9am – 4pm, come along to the stage area and watch a variety of live performances from some amazing local community groups and performers.
The Thirlmere Festival of Steam parade is a key feature and a much-loved element of the Sunday Festival activities. Oaks Street will again become the backdrop for the spectacular float displays and Parade routines, performed by local community groups, schools, and performance groups. This will create a colourful, vibrant, and mobile entertainment display with fantastic prizes to be won.
The street parade will begin at 11am on Sunday.
Wander through the streets of beautiful Thirlmere Village and browse all the artisan wares. Why not also sample some of the delicious food, sweet treats, and drinks that are available at the same time.
Huff ‘N Puff Run
Returning in 2024, the iconic Huff ‘N Puff Run is back to challenge competitors racing against a historic steam engine. This year, the Huff ‘N Puff Run, brought to you by Simec – Tahmoor Coking Coal, will offer two run options with a 6.7km run from Buxton Station to Thirlmere Station and a 3.5km family fun run from Couridjah Station to Thirlmere Station.
The Huff ‘N Puff Run will take place on the morning of Sunday, 26 May, and will conclude the 2024 Festival of Steam.
Offering a unique run experience, the Huff N’ Puff will offer competitors and spectators an exclusive Steam Train ride from Thirlmere Station to Couridjah Station for the Family Fun Run & Buxton Station for the competitive Race, where competitors will disembark to commence their return race against the Steam Train.
6.7km Run Includes Huff N’ Puff Race Entry, Race Bib, Timing Chip, Medallion, Train Ride & Museum Entry
3.5km Family Fun Run includes Race Entry, Train Ride & Museum Entry, Race Bib, Drink Bottle & Ribbon (child 16 under)
Transport
Thirlmere is located 5 minutes southwest of Picton, at the edge of the picturesque Southern Highlands of NSW. It’s an hour south of Sydney and 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 to nearby Tahmoor Station from the Southern Highlands and Campbelltown / Sydney.
A free shuttle bus will operate courtesy of the NSW Rail Museum from Tahmoor and Picton train stations on Sunday, March 19, only. You can either drive and park at Picton or Tahmoor train stations and catch the free shuttle bus, or catch the train and then hop on board the bus.
Car Parking
Saturday 18 May – Thirlmere Festival of Steam
Street parking will be available throughout Thirlmere
For spectators wanting to watch the Huff N Puff Road along the course, street parking will be available outside of the road closures
Sunday 19 May – Thirlmere Festival of Steam
Street parking will be available outside of the road closures
Free Shuttle Bus services will also be available between Thirlmere, Picton & Tahmoor Stations
Sunday 26 May – Huff N Puff Road Race, Rail Museum Activities & Family Carnival
Street parking will be available throughout Thirlmere
For spectators wanting to watch the Huff N Puff Road along the course, street parking will be available outside of the road closures
Road Closures
Sunday 19 May – Thirlmere Festival of Steam (6am – 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
Sunday 26 May – Huff N Puff Road Race (9am – 12pm)
- East Pde between Matcham Rd & Bargo River Rd
- Railway Crossing from West Pde to East Pde
- Bargo River Rd between East Pde & West Pde
- Station St between Bargo River Rd & Thirlmere Way
So bring your friends and family along to the beautiful township of Thirlmere for this annual festival!
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