Hunter Valley Steamfest is an annual event held at Maitland in the Hunter Valley. Although focused around steam trains it also includes a large number of stalls selling local produce. There were also plenty of options for refreshments from stalls and shops to pubs and restaurants.
The main attractions are the steam locomotives 6029 “The Garrett” and 3642 along with the diesels Red Rattler and Tin Hare. During the event you can purchase tickets for a ride in the carriages. It is suggested that you purchase them beforehand so that you don’t miss out.
Red Rattler
Steam Locomotive 3642
Locomotive 6029 “The Garrett”
There is a large display of steam traction engines, which are down on a field next to the train station. Several steam engines were driving around the outside of the arena. Seeing these huge machines driving past was a great experience. There were also a large number of stationary steam engines most if which were working. The engines were constantly tended by their owners to make sure they kept working properly.
Traction Engines
Near the traction engines was a steam powered car something we didn’t know existed until we saw this one. It was in immaculate condition and would have been great to see drive around, but unfortunately, not while we were there.
As a related interest there were a large number of steampunk cos-players attending which added a lot of character to the festival as they walked around. For those interested, they had stalls selling steampunk related merchandise which was interesting.
Steampunk
Penny Farthing Steampunk
A great day out at Hunter Valley Steamfest seeing steam locomotive history live. A great atmosphere from everyone attending as they were obviously enjoying themselves.
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
The Blacktown Medieval Fayre is an annual event held at the Nurragingy Reserve in the Sydney suburb of Blacktown. The reserve only had limited parking, so we chose to travel by train. At the train station there was a free shuttle bus running to the event. These ran every half hour. We were on one of the early ones and it was only half full.
Entry
The queue of cars to enter the car park was huge, so we were glad we chose to take public transport. A great bonus for the Blacktown Medieval Fayre is there is no entry fee. The council wants to attract people to the area and attend the event and this is a great way to do it.
Princess Fiona Cosplay
Similarly themed re-enactment groups are gathered together around the reserve. These varied from medieval knights, archery, swordplay and cosplay so it was easy to find an area you were interested in.
Activities
There are several small arenas set up so there is always something happening, from men at arms demonstrating sword fighting, falconer showing birds of prey and armored knights jousting. The program was full for the whole day so it was difficult to get bored as something interesting was on somewhere. We started by sitting on the hill overlooking the main arena and watched the jousting. Watching armored knights charging at each other with lances was great fun.
Charging Knights Jousting
After the jousting competition finished, we walked around and watched the swordsmen fighting. This was very interesting because they used many different weapons, from swords, staves to pole arms.
Knights Fighting
Medieval Knight
Taking the re-enactment of the day seriously, the medieval warrior, sat down to an authentic medieval lunch.
Medieval Lunch
There was also a huge variety of stalls selling everything from food to replica weapons and armor and crafts and everything in between. A great day out and lots of fun.
Ironfest is an annual event held in Lithgow New South Wales. It showcases many genres of cosplay and historical re-enactment. The venue is the Lithgow Showgrounds which gives the event plenty of scope to place similar themes together. We found that it was easy to find a specific performance or theme, using the timetable and map provided on Ironfest’s website.
Cosplay and Steampunk at Ironfest
As you meander around Ironfest, you will meet the characters and participants that make this kind of event special. People dressed as steampunk and wastelanders predominated, although there were plenty of US Civil war veterans and Vikings.
In the World War Two section, Germans, Russians and American camps were all next to each other and getting on amiably. Even the French Resistance was represented. The detail in the camps was amazing and the historical accuracy is something they were all dedicated to.
US Army GeneralUS SergeantFrench ResistanceThe RussiansGerman Guards
Military Equipment
There was a huge section of military vehicles, from World War Two and later. There were several examples of Ferret and Saracen as well as a huge Abbot 105mm self-propelled artillery piece and an M3 Stuart tank.
Ferret Armored CarSaracen APCAbbot
Vikings
Towards the rear of the show grounds was a Viking camp. Interested people were able to try out Viking chain mail and weapons. The camp was working as a real Viking setting, with cooking and cleaning done historically. Washing was demonstrated using wood ash and lots of physical effort to clean clothes. There was even a minstrel playing a lute.
Clothes Washing Viking styleViking Minstral
US Civil War
Near the Vikings was a US Civil War camp, with both sides present. Again historical accuracy was very important from tents to equipment. The first display in the main arena involved these people demonstrating their muskets and canons in a mass firepower display. In addition to the smoke generated the noise was amazing.
March in For Firepower DisplayCivil War Camp SiteCampCivil War Headquarters
Main Arena – Tourney Ground
Major activities took place in the arena. The MC was the Iron Monk, who did a fantastic job, managing to keep things reasonably on time as well as being very entertaining. After the mass firepower display, the knights demonstrated their skill at arms. This was all done on horseback as it would have been in medieval times. They used lances and swords to hit targets, including rings and cantaloupes thrown into the air.
The view from the grandstand was great with no problems being able to see the events. There was room between the grandstand and the arena, if you wanted to get closer to the action. Neither area was overcrowded and the crowd was very relaxed and enjoying themselves at Ironfest.
The Iron MonkMounted Knight Charging TargetMounted Knight Charging TargetKnight Charging TargetMounted Knight Charging TargetMounted Knight Charging TargetSquire and Mounted Knights
Later in the day the medieval foot soldiers put on a display of sword fighting. Initially as one on one and then as a large melee. They all seemed to be having fun and played the part very well.
If you weren’t keen on the historical food on offer, there was plenty of modern food stalls available. We had a fantastic time at Ironfest and can see why people keep going back each year. A great day out in Lithgow.
For other places to visit in New South Wales, please read some of our other stories.
