This year the popular Steampunk Fair will be channeling the creativity of famous French novelist and playwright Jules Verne.

Verne (1828-1905) was one of the first authors known to be published in the science fiction genre.

Some of his books include Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (1864), From the Earth to the Moon (1865), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). 

Special guest Tara Moss will once again host the costume parade.

Activities on the day include a performance by the New Empire Ballroom Ragtime Orchestra, Oriental dancers, Sideshow Annie, a red train ride, Steampunk stalls and the opportunity to catch the working steam engines. 

Goulburn Mulwaree Council waterworks officer and organiser, Julianne Salway, said the day was about like-minded people celebrating their passion in a welcoming and supportive environment.

“We had nearly two thousand [visitors] last year,” Ms Salway said. “We expect that we will get more this year, given that the local community has embraced the theme. This was evident in the attendance at the Steampunk ball.”

The event also won a prestigious recognition at the beginning of this year, giving the day greater exposure.

Ms Salway thought of the idea during a visit to the UK about six years ago when she noticed a Steampunk ball held at a vintage waterworks. 

“People who are into Steampunk are looking for events to attend and they will travel from far and wide,” she said. 

The 2017 Steampunk Fair will be held this Saturday, October 14 at the Goulburn Historic Waterworks at Marsden Weir. Enter from Fitzroy Street. No general parking is available on site. A shuttle bus from the council car park will be running throughout the day. Entry is $5 per adult, u16 free.