STEAMFEST 2025 will be held on 8th, 9th, 10th March 2025.
SteamFest 2025: A Whole New Look.
SteamFest is back again over the March long weekend, 8-10/3/2025
This celebration of the steam age, vintage machinery, railways, the rural way of life in north-west Tasmania and the old way of doing things was first held in Sheffield, the town of murals and gateway to Cradle Mountain, in 1994. This is the 30th annual SteamFest, and our volunteers are working very hard to make it the best ever, including some big changes to the event layout and the welcome return of wood-chopping on the Monday. Long-time crowd favourites including the steam railway, the tractor pull and the Tasmanian Lighthorse will be operating right through the three-day event.
SteamFest is held in 8ha of fields, a short stroll from the centre of Sheffield, behind the railway station on the corner of Main and Spring Streets. Although patronage of up to 10000 people is expected over the three days, everything is nicely spread out and it never feels too crowded.
What makes SteamFest so exciting and interesting for young and old is that the essence of the event is that almost everything is operational. Some of the machines date back well into the 1800s, and have been lovingly restored and maintained so that you can see them working and appreciate the ingenuity and engineering skills of generations past. Also, this means that there are many opportunities for rides, demonstrations, activities and of course there is lots of steam and noise at times!
This is what you can expect at SteamFest 2025:
Twenty or so steam traction engines operating all long weekend: threshing, chaff cutting, straw pressing, stone crushing, slow racing, children’s tug of war and a grand parade of everything that moves!
A whole new look for the steam arena display.
Steam and diesel train rides on the 2’ gauge Redwater Creek railway throughout the event, plus a visit from the Ida Bay Railway’s historic railmotor.
Miniature steam, petrol and electric train rides on the 7.25” gauge railway.
Multiple gauge model railway display.
Tasmania’s biggest tractor pull.
Vintage tractor and historic machinery displays.
Tasmanian Lighthorse training demonstrations.
Clydesdale rides, bullock team and farm animal displays.
Working blacksmith displays.
Woodchopping on the Monday.
Steampunk, Victorian and Edwardian costume competition.
A great variety of food and craft stalls.
Interactive fun for the kids including lino cut printing in the old printery.
The SteamFest grounds and passenger train are wheelchair accessible.
Dogs on lead are welcome too!
SteamFest tickets are available now online at Steamfest Tasmania – March long weekend or IWannaTicket.com.au . Entry prices have been unchanged since 2019, provided you buy online. There will also be cash and card ticket sales at the gate, at a $2 premium, but to avoid the queue we suggest you buy your ticket online, even if just five minutes before you arrive. A helpful change this year is that if your buy online in advance for say the Saturday, but your plans change or the weather
2 / 2
doesn’t appeal, you can use that ticket on a different day, provided it hasn’t already been used. No need to tell us, just arrive on your preferred day.
Entry: If bought online, Adult $20, family $40 concessions available for pensioners and children.
Steam train ride: $Adult $10, family $20, concessions available for pensioners and children.
Mini train ride: $3
Information has been taken from Steamfest Facebook page Facebook
