Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
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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- Monica DSydney, Australia89 contributionsReally interesting!If you like trains, make sure you visit this one! We had a great guide who had actually worked at the rail yard and knew all the history. Very interesting and you can go inside many of the exhibits. Well worth the visit.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 12 March 2024
- MargD107 contributionsFascinating rail historyA most interesting collection of rail history. Our guide was passionate about every aspect of this collection. It was great to be able to join the tour when you arrive and leave when you have completed your tour. There were so many engines and carriages that you could view and so much rail history - a must do for anyone interested in rail history.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 May 2024
- PhilthetravellerXIAvoca Beach, Australia886 contributionsFantastic Rail ExperienceThis fantastic place is a must to visit and gives you a good reason to visit and stayover in Peterborough. It occupies a large site on the edge of the town centre and has a large collection of old rail engines, carriages and memorabilia. It has one of the two remaining turntables in the country. We went to the sound and light show in the evening and it was fantastic. Bookings are required and numbers limited. The video presentation of the history of rail in the country was excellent. Staff were very helpful and there is a small souvenir shop which is a great hit with children and enthusiasts alike – it offers a good range of books as well as toys. There is also a small museum dedicated to Radium Hill and the history of radium in the outback and the role of Sir Douglas Mawson – all news to our group especially given the debate about the role of nuclear energy. Well worth a visit.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 2 August 2024
- Mark TPort Kennedy, Australia345 contributionsPreserving a vital part of our rail history, and doing it very well!Visited here with friends. Due to safety reasons a tour guide is necessary and Abbie was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The exhibits are beautifully presented, displaying a wonderful part of Australia's rail history. In particular the woodwork in the carriages looked terrific and the old corridor cars sparked a lot of good memories. It's such a pity that Steamtown no longer has a section of railway line to conduct love steam operations as it would be a wonderful attraction for the town. But as it stands, the museum is already a standout part of Peterborough and a great credit to the many volunteers who work there. I really enjoyed it.Visited September 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 4 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
240 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
54
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10
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0
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1
Robert W
Edwardstown, Australia394 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
After seeing this place on Facebook. We booked our trip only a month after and drove our way up from Adelaide. Looking up history of steamtown and peterborough we looked more around the area as well. All worth the trip.
The museum itself is definitely worth a visit. Yes it has historic carriages and trains like other places but does offer the best building also. A large round house still with turntable from a hundred years ago. And sheds more so. A fine array of engines from steam to diesel. Carriages from original use to their final set up before being left alone. Our tour through the place was very informative which allowed us entry to all carrieges inside and even on some of the trains. As a train buff it's more then worth it. But also for anyone if you love trains or not or love history. We booked our tickets for the day tour and night tour which is a unique experience in itself. Sitting in a carriage on the turn table you watch a video of the rich history of the area and a light spectacular in the carriage house bringing alive the engines once more. A fitting end to these once great work horses of our outback.
The museum itself is definitely worth a visit. Yes it has historic carriages and trains like other places but does offer the best building also. A large round house still with turntable from a hundred years ago. And sheds more so. A fine array of engines from steam to diesel. Carriages from original use to their final set up before being left alone. Our tour through the place was very informative which allowed us entry to all carrieges inside and even on some of the trains. As a train buff it's more then worth it. But also for anyone if you love trains or not or love history. We booked our tickets for the day tour and night tour which is a unique experience in itself. Sitting in a carriage on the turn table you watch a video of the rich history of the area and a light spectacular in the carriage house bringing alive the engines once more. A fitting end to these once great work horses of our outback.
Written 3 August 2020
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.
Dave R
6 contributions
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.
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.
Jeff_8mile
Melbourne, Australia277 contributions
Sept 2021
Came to Peterborough especially for a visit to Sreamtown. Was not disappointed. Tons of railway history here and very well presented. Our guide, Peter, was very knowledgeable and full of information. The nightly sound and light show which is a documentary on the railway history of the area is a must see. There is also a small museum dedicated to the former mining town of Radium Hill and this is well worth spending some time in.
Written 8 September 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.
Hello Jeff_8mile, Thank you very much for visiting and leaving such an amazing review for us. We will let Peter know how much you appreciated your tour with him.
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.
Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower, Australia3,581 contributions
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.
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.
Paul E
Adelaide, Australia251 contributions
June 2020
Excellent walk back in time and to see how those dedicated people have restored and nurtured this part of our history. I am by no means a 'train buff' but we were told by friends that this worth seeing. And it was. The characters we met in Shirley, Colin and Tamara were great hosts and very keen to tell us the stories of the place. We also took in the light show in the evening and again that was worth every cent. Its not what I expected but I left thinking this was unique and extremely good value.
Written 14 June 2020
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.
Jillian2232014
Newcastle, Australia40 contributions
Apr 2021
A superb museum. Excellent guided tour. Wonderful original carriages you can actually walk in and sit down. A proper round house and turn table sort of like "Thomas the Tank Engine"
Lots of close up inspection of the engines.
In the evening there is a simply fabulous sound and light show, not to be missed.
Lots of close up inspection of the engines.
In the evening there is a simply fabulous sound and light show, not to be missed.
Written 20 April 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.
Hi Jillian2232014, thank you for your kind review and taking your time to come visit us, we really appreciate it. The Roundhouse is currently being restored, so we hope to see you back again next year.
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.
Glen h
Parrearra, Australia136 contributions
July 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.
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.
Mark T
Port Kennedy, Australia345 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
Visited here with friends. Due to safety reasons a tour guide is necessary and Abbie was extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
The exhibits are beautifully presented, displaying a wonderful part of Australia's rail history.
In particular the woodwork in the carriages looked terrific and the old corridor cars sparked a lot of good memories.
It's such a pity that Steamtown no longer has a section of railway line to conduct love steam operations as it would be a wonderful attraction for the town. But as it stands, the museum is already a standout part of Peterborough and a great credit to the many volunteers who work there. I really enjoyed it.
The exhibits are beautifully presented, displaying a wonderful part of Australia's rail history.
In particular the woodwork in the carriages looked terrific and the old corridor cars sparked a lot of good memories.
It's such a pity that Steamtown no longer has a section of railway line to conduct love steam operations as it would be a wonderful attraction for the town. But as it stands, the museum is already a standout part of Peterborough and a great credit to the many volunteers who work there. I really enjoyed it.
Written 4 September 2024
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.
PhilthetravellerXI
Avoca Beach, Australia886 contributions
June 2024 • Friends
This fantastic place is a must to visit and gives you a good reason to visit and stayover in Peterborough. It occupies a large site on the edge of the town centre and has a large collection of old rail engines, carriages and memorabilia. It has one of the two remaining turntables in the country. We went to the sound and light show in the evening and it was fantastic. Bookings are required and numbers limited. The video presentation of the history of rail in the country was excellent. Staff were very helpful and there is a small souvenir shop which is a great hit with children and enthusiasts alike – it offers a good range of books as well as toys. There is also a small museum dedicated to Radium Hill and the history of radium in the outback and the role of Sir Douglas Mawson – all news to our group especially given the debate about the role of nuclear energy. Well worth a visit.
Written 2 August 2024
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.
Ross
Adelaide, Australia82 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
Great day tour and nightime sound and light show.
They are doing a great job preserving an irreplaceable part of our history.
Besides your entry spend $5 and by a pane of glass for the roundhouse.
Where are the Corporate sponsors and State and Federal governments when you need them.
They had a successful training program for school students but the insurance and work safe requirements killed it off.
Please come and visit as it is only a day run from Adelaide or use it for a base.
They are doing a great job preserving an irreplaceable part of our history.
Besides your entry spend $5 and by a pane of glass for the roundhouse.
Where are the Corporate sponsors and State and Federal governments when you need them.
They had a successful training program for school students but the insurance and work safe requirements killed it off.
Please come and visit as it is only a day run from Adelaide or use it for a base.
Written 16 September 2020
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.
Thank you for your review. We try our best to preserve our wonderful heritage.
Written 17 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
what is the cost to visit the museum please
Written 3 February 2018
$30pp for Seniors for the Combo of Guided Tour of the Rail sheds & display, & the Sound & Light Show, which we returned
for, in the evening.
Written 3 February 2018
T199Steamtown
Peterborough, Australia
Good afternoon glen, during Nov to Feb guided tours are from 10am to 2.30pm and the sound and light show is on at night if we have 6 or more people. During our high season Mch to Oct tours begin at 9am and finish at 3.30pm and the sound and light show is on regardless of numbers. Hope to see you one day!
Written 13 November 2017
Steamtown is open between 0900 and 1700hrs. If you want to see all of it, you will need to book a guided tour which we found very informative, even being rail fans. There is also a light and sound show of a night which is quite interesting and rather different to other light and sound shows that we had been to. Well worth a visit in our books and you can also get info on other railway things in the area..
Written 12 November 2017
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