Illawarra Live Steamers Travel Guide

The Illawarra Live Steamers, located in North Wollongong's Stuart Park, is a captivating attraction for train enthusiasts and families alike. This non-profit organization has been sharing the joy of model engineering and live steam locomotives since the early 1960s, with the first official meeting of the club being held in April 1965. In the late 1970s, the club moved to its current site in Stuart Park, North Wollongong, with operations commencing in 1980.Visitors can experience the thrill of riding on miniature trains that wind through 1.5km of ground-level track, traversing bushland and wetlands. A 250m elevated track adds to the excitement, catering to various gauges of model trains. The club also features a Gauge 1 (45mm) dual mainline track in the center of the grounds.Illawarra Live Steamers operates public running days on the fourth Sunday of each month (except December). Gates open around 8:30 am, with trains running from 10:00 am until mid-afternoon. The train rides last for approximately 5-7 minutes. The organization also holds an annual Hot Pot Run, an invitational event for live steam enthusiasts.The Illawarra Live Steamers is more than just a train ride; it's a community of dedicated members who meticulously maintain the grounds and locomotives. The locomotives are roughly 1/12th scale models of their full-size counterparts. Some highly detailed models can take over 20 years to build. The steam locos work just like the real ones, with a coal fire and water to create the steam pressure.Visitors can enjoy the picnic grounds, complete with tables, BBQ facilities, and toilet facilities. A canteen is also available, selling snacks, drinks and ice cream.