National Motor Museum — Attraction in Birdwood

This place is an absolute treat for anyone even remotely interested in motoring, the national motor museum is a place dedicated to the long and rich history of motoring in Australia from the early beginnings to pretty much the present day. There is an entry fee of 22 dollars but it's well worth your time. The cars on display are all in pristine condition and are well maintained throughout the years and there's a huge Variety from Tom Kruses Leyland Badger to the Bugatti Veyron, to the Leyland brothers Land Rover to the legendary Chamberlain 8 and even the last ever Holden made in Australia, speaking of which there's a section dedicated to some of the most eye catching cars they've ever made called Holden Heroes showing of the history of Holden and showing some of the best concepts cars they've ever made from the first production Holden to the modern reimagining of the classics with the concept Torana and Sandman to the most beautiful car they've ever made, The Holden EFIJY. You can also find some oddball cars here as well that you never see anymore like the telephone car, the light burn zeta, a monster 4x4 from Mad Max beyond the thunderdome and the Sinclair c5 to name a few. There's also plenty of exhibitions outside of Holden Heroes like sunburnt country which talks about our motoring origin story and displays the Badger, there's also a motorcycle area where you can find some motorcycles from the past like the old Harley Davidsons and the legacy Indian motorcycles, there's also a assembly line which talks about how cars were made and there's even a garage that comes straight out of the 1920s. The place itself is also nice and calming as well and keeps you focused on what it has to offer, if you have kids they will absolutely love the game engine where it has racing games from the original sprint to Daytona to Forza Motorsport 7, it's spacious and gives a good rundown of cars in the video game world. I've been here plenty of times over the years and in my opinion my most recent trip felt the most special to me since every other time I've been I was either with someone who took me there or on an excursion with a big group, this time however I got there on my own accord with my motorcycle and honestly I felt accomplished being able to get there independently. But I'm rambling a bit, Overall this is an absolute must for anyone if you're planning to go to the Adelaide hills. whether it's a day trip or part of a bigger experience the museum is in my opinion one of the best...

Ok so you really need a whole day to see this place fully. I spent about four hours there and wasn't able to do it justice. There is a huge variety of great cars motorcycles and trucks on display. Allow a lot of time to check out the bikes and replica garagein the back half of the museum. The mill museum at the tail end is interesting as a little surprise. When I went, the special exhibit was the Holden concept cars including the stunning Efigy and Coupe 60. There also was some interesting exhibits such as the first attempt to cross Australia South to North and an early outback supply truck plus a nod to political correctness with the all-female garage from the 1920s. There is a detailed section about Australian car manufacturing with a lot of detail about Holden, Mitsubishi, Leyland and the Lightburn Zeta. There's the unique: the mobile phone car built by Telecom in advance of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is amusing. There's the ubiquitous: honestly, the yellow Mitsubishi Express van I didn't even bother to photograph was scraping the bottom of the barrel in historical significance. Must have been a freebie to avoid paying someone to collect it. There also was a lot of English compact cars as well such as Austin's and Rovers etc which have their place in history for a lot of people, but some of the ones on display aren't really significant, in my opinion. Then there's the obscure: the first wholly Australian made car, branded "Lincoln" and no, not THAT Lincoln, was fascinating. Then there's the Hyundai Getz electric conversion package that was ahead of its time and the owner complained about being persecuted was allegedly not allowed to exhibit at car shows(!). Overall, it's a great museum and the entry price is more...

The National Motor Museum a worthwhile visit: Extensive Collection: The museum boasts a large and diverse collection of over 300 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles, offering a comprehensive look at Australian motoring history. Australian Motoring Heritage: It provides a deep dive into Australia's unique relationship with motor vehicles and its impact on the nation's social history. Iconic Australian Cars: A highlight is the permanent "Holden Heroes" exhibition, showcasing significant vehicles from Holden's heritage. You can see historically important models like the 1948 Holden, the first mass-produced Australian car. Unique Exhibits: You'll find rare and significant vehicles, such as the 1899 Shearer Steam Carriage (one of Australia's earliest cars) and the 1908 Talbot that crossed Australia. The museum also features the 1936 Leyland Badger, famous for its role with the outback mailman, Tom Kruse. Beyond Cars: The museum also displays motorcycles, a recreated 1920s mechanical workshop, and collections of toy and model cars, offering something for everyone. Historical Setting: The museum is located in the historic Birdwood Mill, adding to the charm and providing a pleasant atmosphere. There are also gardens for picnics. Engaging for All Ages: Many reviews mention that both car enthusiasts and families enjoy the museum. Kids will find plenty to admire, and there are often interactive elements. Location: The drive to Birdwood through the Adelaide Hills is scenic, making the journey part of...