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Peterborough
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Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
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Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre

See all things to do
See all things to do
Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
4.5
About
the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre is a museum where people can sit in the historic carriages; enter the driver's cabins of the various locomotives and marvel at the rolling stock in the 1926 built roundhouse and admire the still functioning turntable what has all 3 gauges. Steamtown is ideal for families and is pet friendly also. Stay the night in Peterborough and attend the stunning sound and Light show that tells the story of the creation of Peterborough, about railways in South Australia and the history and personal stories associated with it and the linking of East Australia to West Australia
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
234 reviews
Excellent
170
Very good
53
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Glen h
Parrearra, Australia125 contributions
Very well presented show of the history of steam trains & how the town was the centre of it.
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Light & sound show of the history of the steam train in the north of South Australia & the huge amounts of ore moved from Silverton & Broken Hill to Port Pirie for processing.
Peterbrough was the northwest hub for all trains until 1970.
Great sound & light show, very well put together & the show is in a AC carriage, heated for winter, luckily as it was windy & cold when we were here.
Totally recommend.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandra
Canberra, Australia12 contributions
Definitely worth a visit. Dog friendly and day and night tours.
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Great place to visit. If you can, recommend that you see the sound and light show first (in the evening) and then go back the next day for the guided tour. Both are very good. Allow up to 2.5 hours for the guided tour as it’s longer if there are questions. You can turn up anytime for the day tour as you just join where the tour is up to.

There are many exhibits and it is done very well. You can climb into a number of the trains and carriages on display. The sound and light show is in a carriage and included a movie you watch which gives the history and background. We are not train buffs but still really enjoyed this. It’s a good way to understand how rail developed in the area and across to Broken hill as well.

There is no cafe at steamtown so bring your lunch or eat before you come. Parking is available.

If you are going to do both the day tour and the sound and light show bug the combined ticket, it cost us $45 each. Book for the sound and light show.

This place is dog friendly too.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Hi Getaway101938, Thank you for visiting and sharing how much you both enjoyed everything. Your detailed review really gives a great idea of what’s available here and we appreciate you being such amazing Steamtown ambassadors as well! Kind regards, Megan Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre/ Visitor Information Centre
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Meg S
Adelaide, Australia99 contributions
Very worthwhile, unless you are in a wheelchair
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Very well presented Museum. Except for some limitations for wheelchair access which prevented us from doing light show and put us off visiting the roundhouse, had a great time.
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Thank you for visiting and providing such a positive review mysticmeg13, considering the lack of access. We are getting closer to being majority wheelchair accessible at Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre. Your feedback helps with this so much. Kind regards, Megan Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre/ Visitor Information Centre
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adventurers049
Brisbane, Australia3,377 contributions
Fantastic museum
Mar. 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic "living" museum.
We went on a day tour which was phenomenal and then came back later and went on the sound and light tour. This was just as fantastic!
Don't miss it!
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Wow Adventurers049 it sounds like you both had a great time here with us in Peterborough, thank you for sharing your experiences. Kind regards, Megan Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre/ Visitor Information Centre
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neville S
Port Lincoln, Australia91 contributions
Well worth doing.
Mar. 2023 • Friends
So pleased to finally stay in Peterborough to do its rail history justice. Well worth it. The tour was informative and the displays where so clean and looked after.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Hi 642nevilles, Thank you for finally making tracks to Peterborough and letting us know how much you enjoyed your visit with us Neville. Your kind words are priceless and all of the work our team does wouldn’t mean a thing without visitors like you. Warm regards, Megan Manager Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre/ Visitor Information Centre
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower, Australia3,009 contributions
The Light show was a bit lack lustre
Mar. 2023 • Friends
We had visited here a few years back and loved the experience. Our friends were coming to join us for two nights in Peterborough and we suggested we book in here for the light show. When they arrived we drove up to the Steamtown Museum to book in for that night. We turned up on time for the show after dinner and we were led through the shed out to the carriage overlooking the area where they hold this display. I can't remember exactly what we saw last time we were here but both my husband and me thought it wasn't as good this time. Our friends were less than impressed with the show. Our friend returned the next day to take a guided tour and was a bit disappointed, we had taken a tour of the museum last time and enjoyed it. The shed is looking a bit shabby and we wondered if they are suffering a little bit from lack of interest in the community.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Hello Lorraine & friends, thank you for your feedback. We appreciate it as it’s all about you and your experiences. We strive to maintain a one-of-a-kind historical facility with equally amazing attractions and any constructive criticism is very important to its continuous improvement. We apologise your visit wasn’t as enjoyable as last time and your feedback has already helped so much. Kind regards, Megan Manager Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre/ Visitor Information Centre
Written 6 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deirdre and Gerry
6 contributions
Train history experience
Oct. 2022 • Couples
Very interesting and informative.Thr Light and Sound show well worth attending .Staff very knowledgeable
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Thank you Gerrydeirdre for taking the time to leave us a positive review. We're so glad you enjoyed our famous Sound and Light show! We have excellent staff here, very knowledgeable and always willing to help. I will be sure to pass your kind words onto them. Kind regards, Megan
Written 11 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kiwijoandsreve
Adelaide, Australia80 contributions
Fantastic tour and light show
Jun. 2022 • Couples
Wonderful day exploring trains and history of railway junction town. Loved trains displayed and stories.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Thank you Kiwijoandsreve for your review! We're so pleased you enjoyed exploring our fascinating railway museum, and the stories to go with it! Kind regards, Megan.
Written 11 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dave R
6 contributions
The best railway museum experience in South Australia
Oct. 2021
The best railway museum experience in South Australia! The tour is sensational, our tour guide was Darryl, he was very knowledgeable and personable and was good with our kids. The place has a fantastic range of Loco's and Rail Cars, many of which you can actually enter and interact with. We were pressed for time and were only going to do the Diesel Shed self tour, but we're so glad we opted for the longer guided tour. Allow 2 hours at least to see and do everything. Highly recommended.
Written 10 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Hi Dave, thank you very much for your stellar review! We will be sure to provide your feedback to Darryl personally. Very glad you enjoyed your time here at Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre and hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, Megan Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
Written 24 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MacLachlan
Adelaide, Australia444 contributions
Excellent tour
Sep. 2021
I am writing this on behalf of my husband who thought his visit was exceptional. He enjoyed every minute of the two hour tour and took stacks of photos. We visited Peterborough just so that he could visit the Heritage Rail Centre.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T199Steamtown
Hi Mr & Mrs MacLachlan, we are so glad to hear you thoroughly enjoyed yourselves at Steamtown. If you have any photos you would like to share please send them to manager@steamtown.com.au. Kind regards, Aaron Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
Written 24 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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