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A red heritage carriage at the platform of Thirlmere station beside the station sign

Museum

NSW Rail Museum

In the village of Thirlmere, the NSW Rail Museum keeps one of Australia’s biggest collections of locomotives and carriages. On heritage running days you can ride behind a steam engine on the old main line through the bush.

Why visit

Thirlmere sits on the Picton–Mittagong loop line, the original main line south from Sydney, which was bypassed in 1919 by a straighter route. The quiet old line became a home for heritage trains, and the museum has grown here since the 1970s. It is a great day out for families and anyone who loves trains.

What to see

  • The exhibition halls: steam locomotives, early carriages, a royal train car and displays on how the railways shaped New South Wales.
  • Thirlmere station: a heritage country station beside the museum.
  • Heritage train rides: on running days, steam or heritage diesel trains run along the loop line through farmland and bush.

The Festival of Steam

Each autumn, usually in March, Thirlmere hosts the Festival of Steam, with extra steam train rides, a street parade, markets and food. It is the busiest weekend of the year, so book train rides early.

Tips

  • Train rides do not run every day. Check the museum’s timetable and book ahead.
  • Bring a picnic, or eat in Thirlmere or Picton.
  • Pair the museum with a walk at Thirlmere Lakes National Park nearby.
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