National Motor Museum

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National Motor Museum Australia's premier motor museum with over 300 vehicles on display 🚗 Be amazed by the Talbot, the first car to cross the continent in 1908. the Bay to Birdwood.
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See beyond the paint and chrome and relive the stories and experiences of Australia's motoring history. You don't have to be an enthusiast to appreciate Australia's biggest motoring collection of 300 vintage, veteran, post war, classic and modern cars, commercial vehicles and 100 motorcycles. Walk through the contemporary pavilions and constantly changing exhibition spaces and encounter the stories, people and vehicles that have shaped our motoring history through the decades. From the early imports of the 1920s - 30s, to the rise of Australian manufacturing from the 40s - 50s, sleek designs of the 60s, muscle cars of the 70s, to the latest in modern engineering and high performance racing. See famous and little known vehicles such as the 1899 steam-powered Shearer, the legendary Leyland Brothers Land Rover and Tom Kruse's 1934 Leyland Badger, to name just a few. Discover how motor vehicles have opened up our country, linking some of the most isolated communities in the world. What an incredible journey! From the stately to the absurd, hand-built to the mass-produced, see the vehicles people loved and loathed, thrashed and pampered, in the pursuit of their motoring dreams! As an international centre for the collection, research, preservation, education and display of Australian road transport history, the National Motor Museum is much more than a collection of vehicles. It is a social history of the way we were, the way we are now and the way of the future. Be a part of Australian motoring history. With extensive grounds for picnics, free BBQs, souvenir shop and free kids activities, there's something for everyone. The Museum also hosts various special events, including the finish of one of the world's great historic motoring events. National Motor Museum - drive me back

29/09/2026

📆 On this day in 1980, the inaugural RAA Bay to Birdwood run took place, travelling from Glenelg to the then-named ‘Birdwood Mill Museum’.

🏁 46 years later, we’re excited to continue this iconic legacy on Sunday, 18 October 2026. The stories, vehicles and memories have shaped an event that continues to inspire generations of motoring enthusiasts. 🤝

As we honour the past, we’re also looking to the future, with a reimagined experience set to take the RAA Bay to Birdwood to new heights.

👀Be part of the next chapter — get your tickets to this year’s event at the link in our bio. 🔗

📸 Pictured are Stephen, Christina, Gabriella and Elizabeth Boros, who won the inaugural Bay to Birdwood Concours d’Elegance in 1980 in their 1930 Ford Model A

29/09/2026

🌊🚗The Amphicar captured many hearts last year. 🤩 Don't miss out on the action at this year's Finish Festival Sun 18 Oct, tickets available in our bio.🔗

🚗💨 Fuel your curiosity these school holidays!🏁 Explore the museum and enjoy exciting activities! Check out our website t...
18/09/2026

🚗💨 Fuel your curiosity these school holidays!

🏁 Explore the museum and enjoy exciting activities! Check out our website to find out more about what's on during these school holidays: https://motor.history.sa.gov.au/what-is-on/

📆 On this day in 1949, the Hartnett Motor Company was formed. Former GM-H Managing Director, Sir Laurence Hartnett, set ...
31/08/2026

📆 On this day in 1949, the Hartnett Motor Company was formed. Former GM-H Managing Director, Sir Laurence Hartnett, set out to sell mass-produced affordable family cars in Australia. Unfortunately, supply chain problems were the demise of a car that had lots of merit.

We are fortunate enough to have on display in the museum the French prototype by Jean Gregoire.

📷 Museums Victoria, Motor Car - Hartnett, circa 1950, TL 009293
📷 Museums Victoria, Motor Car - Hartnett, circa 1950, ST 38220
📷 State History Collection, 1948 Hartnett prototype, HT 2001.0419

28/08/2026

Finish Festival tickets are on sale now! 🎟️🏁 Celebrate motoring history and indulge in gourmet food and w**e. An ideal family day out - entry to the National Motor Museum included. 🛒 Book your tickets for the Finish Fest and the ✨NEW✨ Ultimate Picnic* via https://baytobirdwood.history.sa.gov.au/buy-tickets/ 💛 RAA Members get 20% off Finish Festival tickets at checkout!

*Entry to the Finish Festival is included with Ultimate Picnic tickets. RAA Member discounts do not apply to Ultimate Picnic.

On ya bike! 🏍🛵 The RAA Bay to Birdwood does NOT just accept cars. 🙂‍↔️ Many entrants choose to bring along vintage, clas...
28/08/2026

On ya bike! 🏍🛵 The RAA Bay to Birdwood does NOT just accept cars. 🙂‍↔️ Many entrants choose to bring along vintage, classic and historic motorcycles, from OG British bikes to iconic Japanese machines. We even have a whole section of the event dedicated to bikes! Register yours > https://baytobirdwood.com.au 🗓️ Sunday, 18 October 2026.

26/08/2026
You know you're a car guy when... 😋 Register your vehicle for the RAA Bay to Birdwood >🔗 link in bio 🗓️ 18 October 2026....
18/08/2026

You know you're a car guy when... 😋 Register your vehicle for the RAA Bay to Birdwood >🔗 link in bio 🗓️ 18 October 2026.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Valmai Hankel AM PSM.Her beloved 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45, Anzen Maru, is...
14/08/2026

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Valmai Hankel AM PSM.

Her beloved 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45, Anzen Maru, is on display in our museum, sharing the story of her remarkable adventures across the Australian outback.

"My husband and I named the 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 ‘Anzen Maru’, roughly Japanese for ‘circle of safety’, meaning that she will bring you home safely. She always has. When my husband died in Katherine in 1991 on one of our trips I thought my outback travels were over, even though I had done all the driving, but in 1994 I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself, took long service leave from my job at the State Library, and planned a trip on my own. Every year since then I’ve set out north, alone, in Anzen Maru. The longest solo trip has been over 10,300 kilometres in 2004. In 2007 we completed our fourteenth annual solo outback expedition, " wrote Valmai.

Through Anzen Maru, Valmai’s story of courage, independence, perseverance, and love of the Australian outback will continue to inspire visitors for generations to come.

Our thoughts are with Valmai’s family, friends, and all who knew her.

Vale Valmai.

Address

9 Shannon Street
Birdwood, SA
5234

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

08 8568 4000

Website

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