Steamtown Heritage
HOT DEALS - FLINDERS EXPERIENCES - STEAMTOWN HERITAGE RAIL CENTRE
Once South Australia's busiest regional railway hub employing more than 1,000 people who looked after more than 100 passing trains every day, the old depot and workshop is now home to Australia's most unique and fascinating Heritage Railway museum.
You'll find Australia's only operational triple gauge turntable, a wide range of historic rolling stock including elegant steam trains, powerful diesel locomotives, unique passenger trains and freight trains, all exhibited in original settings in the heritage listed roundhouse and original work sheds.
After dark, Steamtown hosts South Australia's only Sound and Light Show, a fabulous sound and visual spectacular about railway history in Australia and Peterborough. Guests sit comfortably in a historic railway carriage, once a first class sleeper on the East West route between Sydney and Perth, and are transported visually through a 1.5 hour sound and light show that you will thoroughly enjoy. Bookings essential.
DAY TOUR
Personally guided tours take place daily between 9.00am and 5.00pm, the last tours starting at 3:30 pm. Group bookings should be arranged ahead of time. The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and gives you an amazing insight into historic locomotives, carriages and other interesting freight vehicles.
You'll be transported back to the glamorous 1920's when train travel was the most elegant way to get around - passengers settling themselves into a First Class Lounge car, sipping a long, cool drink while entertained by the on board pianist. As you sink into the warmth of the red leather armchairs, you'll understand why First Class train travel is still highly regarded as a superior way to travel.
Then you could sit in the cabin of one of the powerhouse steam locomotives, where men would shovel coal and sweat in the intense heat to keep the fires burning and the wheels turning.
Somewhere further along, you'll visit the baby health car, a child health centre on train tracks that visited rural South Australia to help mothers and children in remote farms and settlements.
Trains and railways are part of Australia's rich heritage and your day tour will help you relive the full heritage rail experience.
NIGHT TOUR
When the sun goes down over Peterborough, the Sound and Light Show gets going at the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre!
You will sit comfortably in a restored 1916 historic rail carriage which is placed on an 85 food long, 3 gauge turntable. Over 1 hour, you will move through the tunnels of time, to learn about Peterborough, about railways in South Australia and about the many fascinating personal stories associated with it.
This awesome sound and light experience will have you becoming part of the last two centuries and will appeal to everyone in the family. Pre-bookings essential and starting times depend upon time of year.
Food can be provided on request at a small additional cost for groups.
DESTINATIONS readers booking a Guided Day Tour and the Sound and Light Show receive a 10% discount.
For full booking details -- Enquiry form
Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre, 1 Telford Ave Peterborough South Australia 5422
Telephone: 08 8651 3355, Fax: 08 8651 2173, steamtown.com.au