There’s something about seeing a hulking locomotive puffing steam and chugging along a railway track that brings many people’s inner child to life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Maitland City Council has done well to seize on that feeling and use it to build a premier tourist event for this region over the past 29 years.
The Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest attracted strong crowds again this year when it was held in the area around Maitland railway station on the weekend.
Children and adults alike flocked to central Maitland to get a glimpse of steam powered machines of yesteryear – many of which were still in working order.
It is a credit to the event organisers from council that a major festival, involving several significant road closures, can be held in the middle of the city without a hitch.
Part of the ongoing success of the event is undoubtedly the willingness of organisers to embrace change and bring new attractions into the fold each year.
Who wouldn’t want to see a souped up tractor have its pulling power tested?
It’s also easy to see how the Great Train Race, which pitted a vintage tiger moth biplane against two steam trains at this year’s event, was a popular part of the festivities.
There were so many people wandering the market stall-lined road between Pender Place and the station on Saturday afternoon that it was easy to forget that you were walking down Church Street.
With a calendar that features the likes of Groovin The Moo, Bitter and Twisted, Taste, Aroma and Steamfest, Maitland continues to build on its potential as an events destination in the Hunter.