Clear your calendar for Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April (the last weekend of the school holidays), as the Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest returns to Maitland in 2026.
This popular festival of all things steam attracts tens of thousands of people to Maitland each year.
See two of Australia’s legendary historic steam locomotives, 3265 (the Maroon engine) and 3526 (fondly known as ‘The Nanny’) roll into Maitland Station, enjoy market stalls and roving entertainment at the Maitland Station and Railway Street Precinct, see history in action at The Rally Ground, visit the Annual Show ‘n’ Shine, and more!
This year, Steamfest stretches into the evening with Steamfest After Dark, until 9pm on Saturday night.
Centered at the Maitland Station Precinct, Steamfest 2026 spans two massive areas packed with history. It’s a weekend dedicated to the Hunter’s industrial roots, with plenty of steam-powered action and family-friendly fun to keep enthusiasts of all ages entertained.
MAITLAND STATION PRECINCT
You’ll find the heart of the action at the Maitland Station and Railway Street precincts. This area is free to visit. Enjoy the entertainment, market and food stalls from 9am – 4 pm. This is also where the trains depart.
Saturday night at Steamfest is all about the After Dark experience! Until 9pm, the whole family can enjoy live music and great food, plus a special opportunity to explore the legendary steam engines on-platform under the evening lights.
THE RALLY GROUND (GARNHAM GROUNDS)
Head to the The Rally Ground (Garnham Grounds), located a short distance away, for The Bloomfield Group Steam Rally. This area is a steam enthusiast’s dream, a bustling hive of activity, showcasing engineering ingenuity across a range of machinery from the era of steam.
Explore a massive assembly of heritage machinery, including traction and portable engines, or watch a silversmith, glassblower, and leatherworker at work in the ‘Maker and Merchant’ area.
Entry into Steamfest Rally Ground is $5. Persons under the age of 16 years are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult.
TRAIN TRIPS
Go on a train journey as part of your Steamfest experience. Grab your tickets and ride on one of the many unique train trips visiting various Hunter destinations including Branxton, Paterson, and Port Waratah Coal Loop.
If you wish to take a rail journey on a steam or diesel engine then you will need to purchase a ticket. There’s a rail experience for everyone at Steamfest! While the steam journeys are the headliners (tickets range from $35–$92), they can sell out fast.
If the steam trips are full or outside your budget, look for the Diesel Rail Motors. These include the CPH ‘Tin Hares’ and the 621/721 ‘Red Rattler.’ They are much more affordable for families ($12–$45) and offer a fantastic heritage experience with windows that open so the kids can hear the tracks.
To avoid missing out on your preferred trip it is recommended that you purchase your ticket in advance. Although tickets are sold out for trains participating in The ARTC Great Train Race, there are still Steamfest train tickets available through Ticketek for other train rides.
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.
Please note: You cannot take prams onto the heritage carriages. There is a secure cloakroom at Maitland Station where you can leave them while you ride.
GREAT TRAIN RACE
The highlight of the Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest program is the ARTC Great Train Race which will feature steam engines running parallel together whilst racing a Tiger Moth aeroplane. It’s always a fun event to watch if you don’t have tickets on the participating steam locomotives.
ALTAPAC SHOW ‘N’ SHINE
The Annual Show ‘n’ Shine takes over Maitland Park on Sunday 19 April. See over 500 cars of all makes and models from classic cars and hot rods to vintage beauties and muscle cars. As well as the incredible car display, you will also find a range of food stalls, live entertainment, and fun for the whole family! It’s just a short walk from the station precinct.
For more information visit the Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest website.
Photo credit: Maitland City Council
Want more inspiration for family fun in the Hunter Valley? Check out our article 15+ Things to Do in Hunter Valley with Kids.