Booleroo
Steam and Traction Rally 50th Anniversary
2 Day Tour
March 24 -25, 2018
Join Rail Tours Australia in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Booleroo Steam and Traction Preservation Society's
Annual Rally. Enjoy following sections of the old broad gauge railway alignment on the Hamley Bridge to Gladstone railway prior to travelling on the Pichi Richi Railway Twilight Explorer from Quorn to Woolshed Flat. On Sunday spend the day at
the iconic mid north steam and traction rally.
The aim of the Booleroo Steam and Traction Preservation Society is: “To foster the restoration and preservation of antique steam engines, vehicles, farm tractors and implements which show the technical
developments and skills of an era now past”. Whatever your interest
in agricultural based machines, many can be found at Booleroo
Centre, 260 kms north of Adelaide.
The BSTPS was formed by a group of local farmers in 1968. Since
then the society has acquired an enviable collection of tractors,
steam exhibits, stationary engines and equipment associated with
our rural industrial and agricultural heritage.
The annual rally is where members of the society get to share their
knowledge and showcase the fabulous machines that form an
integral part of our Australian heritage.
The working display of priceless machines allows the public to see machines perform the work they were originally built to do. The hig-hlight of the Rally day is the Grand Parade, just as at any other agr-icultural function, only here the oval is full of machines, not livestock
Bookings for this tour have now closed. For further information call 0439 627 107
DAY 1 - SATURDAY 24th MARCH 2018
Travel via luxury coach and follow the route of the now disused broad gauge railway from Roseworthy to Hamley Bridge, Balakl-ava, Blyth, Brinkworth through to Gladstone. Enjoy a number of stops to inspect old railway stations and infrastructure that are found along the way. Enjoy morning tea during the journey at one of the old railway towns.
After retracing sections of the disused railway corridor, travel to Crystal Brook to enjoy a light lunch. Follow the standard gauge main line from Gladstone to Crystal Brook where there is the chance of sighting a mainline freight of passenger train travelling past. After lunch continue north to the iron triangle and old break of gauge railway town of Port Pirie.
On arrival, visit the Port Pirie Regional Tourism and Art Centre located at the old Pirie railway station. Enjoy viewing some of the old railway and town memorabilia including model and miniature railways of the region.
We then continue north up Highway Number 1 to Port Augusta where we have an early check in to our night’s accommodation. After freshening up, we will be making our way into the majestic Flinders Ranges to the home of the Pichi Richi Railway at Quorn.
On arrival, enjoy a tour of the Pichi Richi Railway depot followed by a journey aboard their Twilight Explorer train to Woolshed Flat and return. Experience travelling aboard the historic 1928 built Brill Railcar through the Flinders Ranges as the shadows grow longer and the sun sets over the Ranges. Enjoy nibbles aboard the train prior to sitting down to dinner on arrival back in Quorn at the Austral Inn Hotel.
After dinner enjoy the drive out of the Flinders Ranges to your overnight accommodation in Port Augusta.
DAY 2 - SUNDAY 25TH MARCH 2018
Awaken to a fully cooked breakfast and an early morning check out. We travel South from Port Augusta through Wilmington and onward to Booleroo Centre for the Booleroo Steam and Traction Preservation Society’s 50th Anniversary Rally.
We will arrive shortly after the gates open at 10 am to maximise our time and to enjoy a full 4 hours of entertainment, historical machinery, demonstrations and much more.
After experiencing the rally, the tour coach will depart Booleroo Centre shortly after 3 pm to travel to Adelaide, with a comfort and refreshment stop to be made at Port Wakefield.
Arrive back in Adelaide at approximately 7.30 pm.
For a full description of what is included and additional information, please download the brochure.