Do you have a mini train conductor on your hands? Whether it’s the influence of TV shows like Thomas the Tank Engine & Chuggington, or if kids are just naturally drawn to trains, now’s your chance to enjoy a family day out doing something you all can enjoy! Here’s 9 amazing Winter steam train events in Sydney.
It’s time to bundle up and jump outdoors to enjoy a little bit of history, a dash of culture, and a huge amount of fun. Lock these dates in the diary and check out these 9 Winter steam train events in Sydney.
- Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society
- Hunter Valley Steam Fest
- Galston Valley Railway Open Day
- Catch the Train, Illawarra Light Rail Museum
- Down the Track, Illawarra Light Rail Museum
- Day Out With Thomas, NSW Rail Museum
- Steam Train Rides, NSW Rail Museum
- Nurragingy Miniature Railway
- Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Winter Steam Train Events around Sydney
Galston Valley Railway
Nestled in the bushlands on the outskirts of Galston, The Galston Valley Railway is a picturesque miniature railway, with 1km of track winding throughout the bush and up the hills.
The Galston Valley Railway is open to the Public on the 2nd Sunday of every month.
Trains run from 10am – 3pm continually throughout the day. With all trains stopping at between 12:30pm and 1pm for volunteers to have lunch.
- Stationary Engine Display
- BBQ Stall ~ between 11.30am and 1:30pm.
- Canteen (tea & coffee, cold drinks, ice creams & lollies).
Entry is via pre-purchased entry ticket only. Tickets for next event come online on the 1st of the month. Book now.
- Where: 29 Mid Dural Road, Galston
- When: 2nd Sunday of every month
- Times: 9.30am – 3.00pm
- Cost: Adult $10 | Children <18 Free | Train Rides $3.50 per person regardless of age. Please Note: Children under 3 years of age must be accompanied by a Ride Ticket holder 18 years or older.
- More info
Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society
The Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society was formed in 1948 on its present site. They are located behind West Ryde shopping centre in Sydney and open on the third Saturday afternoon of each month from 1.30pm to 4pm. They now have an online booking arrangement for entry on their Miniature Steam Train.
- Where: Cnr Anthony Rd & Betts St, West Ryde
- When: Third Saturday of every month
- Times: 1.30pm-4pm
- Cost: Adults: $6, Child: $3, rides: $2.50 each
- More info
Hunter Valley Steamfest
Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest will celebrate its 35th anniversary. Hunter Valley Steamfest is one of Australia’s premier festivals of steam. Steamfest was established in 1986 following the closure of the last coal powered steam hauled freight service in Australia on the South Maitland Railway Line in 1983, and the event pays homage to the end of an industrial era and the men and women involved in its operation.
- Where: Maitland Station, Central Maitland
- When: Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 July 2022
- More info
Illawarra Light Railway Museum
Catch the Train
Ride the Rails with a Diesel Train Ride and Miniature train ride and relive those grand old days of railways. An experience for a Saturday outing with the family is a great adventure for all when looking around the museum. Kids will also love the trains and the playgrounds.
- Where: 48A Tongarra Road, Albion Park Rail
- When: Saturday 25 June 2022
- Times: 10am-2pm
- Cost: Adults: $15, Child (3-16 years): $10, Child under 3 free with adult
- More info
Down the Track

Down the Track
Catch the Steam Train and Travel down the line for a great experience of Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotive Operations and then ride the Miniature Train.
- Where: 48A Tongarra Road, Albion Park Rail
- When: Sunday 10 July 2022
- Times: 10am-2pm
- Cost: Adults: $15, Child (3-16 years): $10, Child under 3 free with adult
- More info
NSW Rail Museum
Day Out With Thomas
Thomas and Friends return to the NSW Rail Museum for three days of feature-packed family fun! It’s the perfect Winter steam train event in Sydney! Day Out With Thomas is a great outing for the entire family… and don’t forget the grandparents! Enjoy a 45-minute steam train ride hauled by Donald the black engine from Thirlmere to Buxton and return.
- Where: 10 Barbour Road Thirlmere NSW
- When: 2, 3, 4, 10 & 11 September
- Times: 9.30am-3pm
- Cost: Adults: $30, Child (2-17 years): $25, Child under 2 free with adult
- More info
Steam Train Rides
Enjoy a 40-minute steam train ride every Saturday and Sunday and during school holidays at the NSW Rail Museum. Departs Thirlmere Station several times for a 40-minute train ride from historic Thirlmere Station to Buxton and return. They will also be operating during the school holidays every weekday.
- Where: 10 Barbour Road Thirlmere
- When: Sunday 1 May to Sunday 19 June
- Times: 10am-2pm
- Cost: Adults: $35, Child (2-17 years): $15, Child under 2 free with adult
- More info
Richmond Vale Railway Museum

Richmond Vale Railway Museum
Richmond Vale Railway Museum is located in an attractive bushland setting off Leggetts Drive Richmond Vale, just south of the Hunter Valley township of Kurri Kurri. It is the only operating heritage railway north of the Hawkesbury.
Kids can enjoy unlimited full-size train rides, miniature train rides, historic films, and much more.
- Where: 262 Leggett’s Drive, Richmond Vale
- When: The first three Sundays of each month AND every School Holiday Sunday
- Times: 9.30am – 3.00pm
- Cost: Adult: $16, Child (5-15): $7.50, Child under 5: Free
- More info
Nurragingy Miniature Railway

Nurragingy Miniature Railway
Turn up at any time on their running day, buy a ticket, join the queue and catch the next available train! Up to 4 members of the same household can ride together on the same carriage. The ride will be about 6 minutes in duration (including loading and unloading from the train) All train passengers must wear fully enclosed footwear
- Where: Nurragingy Reserve
- When: Sunday 19 June, Sunday 17 July, Sunday 21 August, Sunday 18 September, Sunday 23 October
- Times: 10am-3.30pm
- Cost: $3 per person
- More info