After being cancelled due to flooding in 2022, Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest is back on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April 2023 to celebrate its belated 35th anniversary.
This popular festival of all things steam attracts tens of thousands of people to Maitland each year. See one of Australia’s most loved steam locomotives, the iconic 3801, roll into Maitland Station, browse the Railway Street Collectors Market, enjoy family-friendly activities and more.
The 2023 event will include an expanded program that stretches into the night, with diverse activities honouring the Hunter’s rich steam and industrial heritage and activities that appeal to enthusiasts of all ages. Steamfest is spread over a large area of Maitland, with the Maitland Station Precinct being the central event area.
On Saturday night, at Steamfest After Dark, attendees can stick around to enjoy food trucks, carnival rides, live music, traction engine displays and an up close and personal experience with 3801 on the station platform right up until 9pm.
Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest are hosting a range of activities suitable for kids and families including train trips, carnival rides and coal shovelling.
It is free to visit the Maitland Station Precinct, market stalls and entertainment area. Entry into the Steamfest Rally Ground is $5, however persons under the age of 16 years are free.
If you wish to take a rail journey on a steam or diesel engine then you will need to purchase a ticket. Any rail journey tickets not sold out prior to the festival will be available to purchase from the ticketing tent located outside Maitland Station over the Steamfest weekend.
TRAIN TRIPS
Go on a train journey as part of your Steamfest experience. Grab your tickets and be part of the annual ARTC Great Train Race or take a ride on one of the many unique train trips visiting various Hunter destinations.
To avoid missing out on your preferred trip it is recommended that you purchase your ticket in advance. Tickets are now on sale for the Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest
RAILWAY STREET COLLECTORS MARKET
An exciting addition to Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest this year is The Railway Street Collectors Market. The market will be filled with old world charm, nostalgic memorabilia, rustic relics, forgotten crafts and rare trades.
MAKER AND MERCHANT DISPLAY
In 2023, Hunter Valley Steamfest will host it’s first Maker and Merchant display, located on The Rally Ground. Be transported back to a time when the art of handmade was an essential skill, with a silversmith, tool maker, artist, glassblower, woodworker, jewellery maker, stonemason and leatherworker allowing audiences to engage, interact and be educated by ‘The Maker and Merchant’.
CARNIVAL LANE
Carnival Lane, located in the Maitland Station Car Park, will be packed with all of your kids favourite carnival rides as well as show bags, face painting, fairy floss and more. Carnival Lane will be open from 9am until 9pm on the Saturday and from 9am until 4pm on the Sunday.
PAINTING A PORTABLE
An exciting addition to the kids’ activities is ‘Painting a Portable’. The team at Steamfest have been given an old Steam Portable engine, thanks to the Maitland Steam and Antique Machinery Association, that will allow kids’ creative flair to fly and use their craft skills to decorate the portable during Steamfest.
COAL SHOVELLING
A favourite for kids, on the Rally Ground, is Steamfest Coal Shovelling Races. Kids will be put into teams and will have to tackle a course in a relay!
TRACKLESS TRAIN
Another crowd favourite at Steamfest is the trackless train, the perfect way to make your way through the entire Rally Ground.
GREAT TRAIN RACE
The highlight of the annual Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest event, is the ARTC Great Train Race. It’s always a fun thing to watch if you can’t get tickets on the participating steam locomotives.
SHOW ‘N’ SHINE
Held in Maitland Park on the Sunday, the Show ‘n’ Shine is a spectacular display of motoring history. See over 500 cars of all makes and models from classic cars and hot rods to vintage beauties and muscle cars, as well as live rock n’ roll music and dancing. As well as the incredible car display, you will also find a range of food and general stalls for your browsing while in the park. Steamfest Show ‘n’ Shine is sure to be hit with car enthusiasts both young and old.
Tickets for Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest 2023 train journeys are now on sale. For more information visit the Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest website.
Want more inspiration for family fun in the Hunter Valley? Check out our article 15+ Things to Do in Hunter Valley with Kids.
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