Car Archives - Destination's Journey

Gunnedah Rural Museum

Arriving at the museum we were greeted by a happy volunteer who gave us a map of the layout and told us to help ourselves to a tea or coffee.

With our travels we have found rural museums occupy old houses, so are quite small. Not the Gunnedah Rural Museum, it takes up several large industrial size sheds with its huge collection. Its extensive collection covers farm equipment like tractors and harvesters, cars, old children’s’ toys, old household goods and a Coca Cola bottle collection. There was even an old dentist’s chair. Walking around, you would think no one in Gunnedah had ever thrown anything out.

If you are interested in rural life in Australia from the late 1800s to late 1900s this is a fantastic place to visit. We particularly liked the tractor and car collection, as they were extensive and in good condition. The museum also has a model railway out the front for rail enthusiasts. We really enjoyed this laid back huge museum.

Old Telephone Collection Gunnedah Rural Museum — Old Telephone Collection

Gas light Gunnedah Rural Museum — Gas light

Kitchen appliances Gunnedah Rural Museum — Kitchen appliances

Meat Safe for keeping flies off meat before refrigeration

Children's Toys Gunnedah Rural Museum — Children’s Toys

1957 Caterpillar D4 bulldozer Gunnedah Rural Museum — 1957 Caterpillar D4 bulldozer

Tractors Gunnedah Rural Museum — Tractors

Steam Engine Gunnedah Rural Museum — Steam Engine

Three Zephyrs Gunnedah Rural Museum — Three Zephyrs

Telephone Box Gunnedah Rural Museum — Telephone Box

The Australian Motorlife Museum is in Kembla Grange near Wollongong. It is a member based organisation, dedicated to the preservation of motoring history in all forms. It is sponsored by the NRMA.

We arrived late in the afternoon and found the staff were all extremely friendly and helpful and went out of their way to explain the history of the cars on display.

The cars at the Australian Motorlife Museum are all very high quality and immaculately maintained. The collection ranges from the early 1900s to the 1970s, with most coming from the earlier days of car manufacturing.

Rolls Royce (5) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Rolls Royce

Metz 22 car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Metz 22

Holden (1) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Holden

Austin 6-16 Burnham (1) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Austin 6-16 Burnham

Rover 9 25 1927 (1) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Rover 9 25 1927

Summit Roadster 1923 car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Summit Roadster 1923

Minerva 1913 (6) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Minerva 1913

Whether you want to see a Model T Ford, a 1913 Minerva or a Zeta Sports you will find it here.

Zeta Sports 1954 (2) Car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Zeta Sports 1954 (2)

Among the car displays are a number of motorcycles also of high quality.

Rudge (1) Motorcycle Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Rudge

Vincent Black Shadow 1934 motorcycle Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Vincent Black Shadow 1934

Douglas Motorcycle 1924 Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Douglas Motorcycle 1924

Rudge 1911 motorbike Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com — Rudge 1911

As well as motoring memorabilia they are a significant number of other items on display ranging from old telephones, record players and typewriters to tricycles. A fascinating collection worth a look at.