Maitland Steam Festival

Day 1 L, D

Home - Newcastle - Fort Scratchley - Maitland
After our Queensland passengers fly into Newcastle, we will travel via the giant Stockton Bridge, and along the water line where you will see the massive coal ships being loaded. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the beautiful Newcastle beaches before exploring the tunnels of Fort Scratchley. This afternoon we will settle into our accommodation.
3 Nights Hunter Gateway Motel

Day 2 B, D

Steam Trains and Traction Motors
Today we will enjoy two different train rides, venturing west to Branxton and north into the farmland of Paterson. Your tickets allow you enjoy the smell of steam, water and coal as the boilers build pressure. Later we explore the festival where traction and other steam engines, vintage cars and mini railways are all on display. Tonight, enjoy the buffet at the East Maitland Bowls Club.

Day 3 B, D

Great Train Race and Morpeth
Take your seat on the Great Train Race, with up to four steam engines racing side by side from Newcastle to Maitland racing the tiger moth airplane overhead. This afternoon, visit historic Morpeth, once a destination for a direct passage from England, this town still has most of its heritage and charming shops to match.

Day 4 B, L

Light Rail - ANZAC Walk - Fighter World - Home
No steam today but we are still riding the rails. The new light tramway in Newcastle uses cordless technology and retractable pantographs at each station for rapid charging. Take in the views from ANZAC Walkway before a visit to Fighter World. After lunch, our Queensland passengers will fly home to Brisbane and our coach will return to Thornton.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner