THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Peterborough
Things to Do in Peterborough
Category types
18 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Speciality & Gift Shops
What travellers are saying
- Mark TPort Kennedy, Australia345 contributionsVisited 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.Written 4 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ruth_M6911 contributionsI never knew there was such a diversity of motorcycles. Ian has curated a collection of the unusual and he will willingly talk about them.Written 24 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jacg845Adelaide, Australia12 contributionsThere's a sign telling you where to stop and what to do - follow the instructions then be amazed as your car rolls up the hill!
The science nerds in our car spent a while trying to figure out how our brains were being fooled here, to no avail. One of us wasn't fooled though - he was completely missing out on the illusion, and couldn't understand why the rest of us were so bemused.
Another car passing by stopped to give it a go - those guys described it as a "spin out" and had to go back and try it a second time!Written 14 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mark SWillunga, Australia481 contributionsGreat printing works in Peterborough. Very good tour by Mary. Excellent to see the printing machines working. Highly recommended!Written 17 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tracey S53 contributionsExceptional service. Very friendly service from the ladies. So helpful too. Had a lovely time to there. Very informative.Written 13 February 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David BBruce, Australia994 contributionsBob the railway dog loved trains. He travelled extensively, mostly on the coal tender. He even got as far as Sydney.
There is a book about his life and adventures which is a highly entertaining and informative read.
This site is a statue of him.Written 25 April 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mark SWillunga, Australia481 contributionsThis is a great introduction to the history of Peterborough and the region. Sit and watch the passing view in the cabin. Free. Highly recommended!Written 17 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Christine DPeterborough, Australia137 contributionslove this place they have made it a slice of fantasy just to see it and to know how much effort they have put into this lovely garden, even better at Christmas with the light displayWritten 12 July 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Meg SAdelaide, Australia102 contributionsGreat display of history of town in the well presented 'N' gauge model train that runs for 10 minutes with the press of a button, and series of mural panels. The shop was well stocked also! Accessible by wheelchair - small step at entrance, and wide access lanes once inside BUT need to be able to stand or be held at standing height to see the train model.Written 9 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- C...Victoria, Australia86,127 contributionsInteresting! So at the top of the Town Hall it's clearly stamped as 1926...but a memorial stone at on the front is dated March 1927... it was laid by J. H.Koch Esq.
What's interesting is that the facade is incorrect... it really was built in 1927. That was the year that the town's council finally, unanimously were in favour of building a new hall... there had been years of debate.
The Architect for this was Chris Smith... he built it in Art Deco style. Chris is recognised as one of the leading South Australian exponents of the Art Deco style. Although registered at birth as Arthur Christopher, all subsequent official records cite him as Christopher Arthur. His father, Thomas Edwin Smith, was a sailor then labourer. His mother, Elizabeth Ellen Williams, signed her wedding certificate with a cross, suggesting she was illiterate.
This was the centre for local entertainment once ... it has been a cinema, a wedding venue, a funeral venue, dance hall, debutante balls venue, a place for concerts and a venue for many other things over time. The hall can seat up to 1000 people.Written 18 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Meg SAdelaide, Australia102 contributionsThe views were amazing. Great place to go for sunset and experience the local birdlife. Wheelchair accessible, even up to the viewing platform along a properly graded long ramp after a 180 metre walk of very slight gradient.Written 9 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- C...Victoria, Australia86,127 contributionsAs you are leaving town to head towards Yongala, this is on your left... a few kilometres out... you will see a sign to say there is a historical marker. The area is dirt, but it's easy to pull into and is off the road safely.
The memorial runs alongside the railway line. It tells us that in 1865 Surveyor-General G.Goyder marked on his map a line delineating drought-affected country. The line that passes through this area became an important factor in settlement in the state. The line gave an indication of the lands that were considered reasonable to settle and to develop.
Goyder's Line is a line that runs roughly east–west across South Australia and, in effect, joins places with an average annual rainfall of 10 inches (250 mm). North of Goyder's Line, annual rainfall is usually too low to support cropping, with the land being suitable only for grazing. Related to that, the line also marks a distinct change in vegetation. To the south, it is composed mainly of mallee scrub, whilst saltbush predominates to the north of the line.
So what sounds like mumbo jumbo actually had science to it... and truth. And this man noted that back in 1865. He wasn't even born in this country... he was English. he migrated to Australia at the age of 22. That's pretty impressive.
Further, when he was in Glasgow in his life before Australia George studied surveying and was articled to a railway engineer.So it's a little bit interesting that the monument now stands next to a railway line.Written 19 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - C...Victoria, Australia86,127 contributionsOriginally named Petersburg after the landowner, Peter Doecke, who sold land to create the town. It was one of 69 places in South Australia renamed in 1917 due to anti-German sentiments during World War I. The first settlers started to arrive here in 1875.
The town has a substantial history -with wealth generated as the railways offered up a lot of employment. The town has a lot of heritage listed buildings and for anyone with an interest in history, you will enjoy being in this town.
You can collect a map from the Visitor Information Centre, or alternatively google 'Peterborough Heritage Walk' and find a copy online. The walk takes about an hour and a half to complete...the area is for all fitness levels as most of it is flat.
35 buildings are listed on the map. BUT if you want to walk around without this map, the signs are also along the edges of the pavement explaining the significance of the buildings.Written 18 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ian MMildura, Australia687 contributionsAn interesting museum full of the history and life in Peterborough. Well set out displays with each room set up with focus on different parts of past life in the Peterborough area. A brilliant display and entry by donation.Written 28 February 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- C...Victoria, Australia86,127 contributionsPeterborough is known for its Railway culture so it's very fitting that a memorial should be here... not too far from the War Memorial.
The memorial is a tribute to Railway Workers who died whilst on duty and were based at Peterborough at the time of their passing. The first death listed was from 1901 , the last is 1985.
The pavers leading up to and alongside the monument depict the names of the people who worked on the railways in Peterborough. They were paid for by the families of the railway workers but these only represent some of the thousands of people who worked on the railway here since 1881.
The monument has been here since 2005 and as unveiled by John Evans (South Australian Tourism Commission)
Behind the memorial is a Y class locomotive that you can step into.Written 17 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.