Arts & Culture
17 October, 2026
Steampunk enthusiasts converge on Goulburn for annual festival
Thousands of steampunk enthusiasts from across the country have converged on the Southern Tablelands for Goulburn’s annual steampunk festival.
Thousands of steampunk enthusiasts from across the country have converged on the Southern Tablelands for Goulburn’s annual steampunk festival.
Steampunk Goulburn – officially opened on Saturday afternoon by Goulburn-Mulwaree mayor Nina Dillon – is running over two days at the Goulburn Historic Waterworks.
It is offering live entertainment as well as market stalls, hands-on workshops, carriage rides and plenty of food.
The centre of attention at the festival on Saturday was ‘Miss Twisted’ – an award-winning cosplayer who travelled from Melbourne for this weekend’s event on the invitation of organisers.
She was one of the judges in Saturday’s ‘Best Dressed’ competition but spent most of the day posing for photos with festival goers in her dragon-inspired costume.
This year’s program is the biggest in the event’s history but it is still the costumes – a fusion of Victoria-era fashion and futuristic fantasy – that attract the most attention.
There was a huge crowd on hand to watch competitors vie for the title of this year’s best dressed under the watchful eye of judges Miss Twisted, Kiki Bittovabitsch (Tamara Campbell) from international comedy, circus and variety act Kiki and Pascal and well-known steampunk personality Sanjax Seratti.
There was a varied line-up of entertainers on the main stage for the first day of the festival including Melody and Mayhem, The Crooked Fiddle Band, Kiki and Pascal and the Lilac City Brass Band – offering everything from magic and music to contortion and comedy.
Kiki started her act by squeezing her entire body through the head of a tennis racket.
The festival will continue on Sunday from 10am to 2pm with the full program available online at www.steampunk.com.au
· Keep reading The Southern Wire for our Steampunk Goulburn photo gallery.
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