Pearns Steam World — Attraction in Westbury

The Pearn family agricultural contracting business operated for over 80 years in the Westbury district. In the 1950s, the Pearns recognised the passing of the steam era and began collecting engines, tractors, equipment and memorabilia. Pearn’s Steam World collection of over 200 major items receives high praise from worldwide visitors and is the best in the Southern hemisphere.

Since its establishment in the 1980s, the museum has been run by volunteers and family members dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the collection. In the 1950’s, the Pearn brothers saw that the age of steam and threshing was giving way to tractors and self propelled headers. The last contracting job completed by the thresher was carried out in 1953. All machines used by the Pearns were kept in good working condition in sheds and when other farmers sold their machines for scrap the Pearns purchased sixteen more engines throughout the years.

They decided to collect a representative sample of the steam engines operating in the state. They were already operating Marshall and Bulldog tractors on the farm and in the business. When other farmers and sawmillers sold their machines for scrap, the Pearn’s purchased many of them for their collection Spare time was not used for recreational activities, instead it was used to polish and paint the engines.

And so began the Pearns collection of steam traction engines and farm machinery, a hobby that involved all members of the family in recovering, restoring and operating the giants from the past and eventually creating the largest private collection of its kind in the Southern hemisphere.

Steam rallies were held at the family farm, “Sunnyside”, during the 1960’s with thousands of dollars raised for Red Cross and Rotary. Steam engines were taken to both Launceston and Westbury shows. The engines were driven to the shows, this slow process may have taken one engine seven hours to complete and at a speed of a fast walking pace. This commenced in 1972 and continued for another fourteen years. Other trips made by the engines were to Deloraine, Devonport, Symmons Plains and Cressy either for shows or agricultural displays.

In the 1980’s the collection moved to the present location, on the site of the old Westbury saleyards. With the help of Rotary, Apex and a few volunteers they established one shed. By fund raising, the volunteer organisation of Pearn’s Steam World managed to raise enough money to build a second shed, costing $80,000. Funds raised at the Steam Rallies built the Red Cross retirement homes in Westbury and the children’s road safety training facility in Launceston.

With the move to the present site, the Westbury Preservation Association Inc was formed to protect the collection for future generations. The collection is run and operated by members of the Pearn family and a team of...

Awesome collection of "Steam Traction Engines" and other related early Australian farm machinery, but sadly let down by lack of signage and guides. Maybe on a busy weekend there are more staff but I doubt it. Signage was kinda OK but clearly a lot of information is missing. It is starting to look and feel tired, which reflects the passing of the founders and now being run by a group of volunteers who whilst friendly enough, would not venture from the sanctuary of their man cave entry office. Clearly they had the knowledge but not the enthusiasm to wander around to interact with the visitors. They do have special "steam run" days when they fire up the steam engines, but they had not established when the next one was gong to be. If you are driving from Cradle Mountain to Launceston and need to loose an hour, then take the time to visit. If you are a Steam Engine nut like me, then you will enjoy the exhibits. If you know nothing about steam and it's history, this is not the place for you to learn, unless they change a few things which they could quite easily and make this a 4 star attraction. Interestingly, there is no gift shop and no momentos of your visit other than the brochure (also available on the web). Whilst a low rating, I still enjoyed my time here, it certainly has a lot of potential. Web photos are pretty close to...

I recently had a local produce stall at the STEAM UP held on 2-3 & 4 Nov during the same time as the Deloraine & Latrobe Craft Fairs. Unfortunately due to inclement weather, attendance was down on the first day. However, it picked up on Sunday and Monday as the rain eased. The set up was great, the staff are terrific. Lots of old nifty steam engines of all types and sizes were there. A lot of interesting stuff from yesteryear. I felt like a kid again (a 61year-old kid). Next year, I want to jump on the little steam train that chugs around the compound. If you're looking for a great long weekend in November, plan the Steam up one day,the Deloraine craft fair another, then finish up with the Latrobe craft fair. Or reverse, whatever you like, but try it! The price is right for the Steam up, I'm not sure of craft fairs prices though. With luck, the three events should get together and arrange a weekend price for all three. That would be great. See my attached pics of the event. Come and visit during the...