The National Motor Museum - South Australia
Since 1965 millions of people have enjoyed discovering their motoring heritage at the National Motor Museum (NMM)
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.
The NMM has an exciting education program that offers a range of hands-on experiences for both primary and secondary students. Nestled in the scenic Adelaide Hills wine region, the National Motor Museum's grounds are perfect for picnics or a barbecue.
The NMM is renowned for hosting special events such as the Bay to Birdwood (September) - the largest continually staged vehicle run of its kind in the world.
Exhibitions
The NMM exhibitions and displays tell the stories of the people and vehicles that have shaped Australia’s motoring history, from the stately to the absurd, from the hand-built to the mass-produced. The museum has the vehicles people loved and loathed, thrashed and pampered.
The ReAssembled Exhibition looks back over the history of automobiles in Australia from the hand-built invention of a South Australian jeweller, to the first Australian car (the Holden 48-215), to the beloved family cars of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. An assembly line from Holden’s Elizabeth factory hangs above the exhibition and demonstrates the different stages of construction. The final car off the assembly line is the renowned signature car, which Holden staff have signed over the last few years.
The award winning exhibition Game Engine Digital Legends is an exhibition that looks at the relationship between, and history of, motoring and video gaming.
The museum also has one of the world’s most expensive and fastest cars on display: a 2008 Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 as well as the Chamberlain 8, the only custom racing car wholly designed and built in Australia.
Bay to Birdwood
The National Motor Museum is home to the Bay to Birdwood the largest, continually held motoring event for veteran, vintage and classic vehicles held anywhere in the world.
The Bay to Birdwood is a vehicle run held annually. Historic motorcars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles travel the 70 km route from the coastal suburb of West Beach to the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills town of Birdwood. With a history spanning back to 1980, the Bay to Birdwood is a well-known and highly respected historic motoring event that brings the community and citizen-collectors from across the globe together for a celebration.
There are two Bay to Birdwood events
The Run is held on even-numbered years and the Classic on odd-numbered years.
The Run is an event for vehicles manufactured up to 31 December 1959 and is held in ‘even’ numbered years ie. 2020, 2022, 2024 etc. The Classic is an event for vehicles manufactured between 1 January 1956 to 31 December 1986, held in ‘odd’ numbered years ie. 2019, 2021, 2023 etc.
The Bay to Birdwood is a community event – from the five thousand participants in entrant vehicles – to the hundreds of volunteers – right through to the tens of thousands of spectators lining the route to watch this historic motoring cavalcade as it travels through metropolitan Adelaide and the Hills. At the National Motor Museum Finish, motor enthusiasts and spectators enjoy an afternoon of displays, entertainment and the very popular judging of the Concours d’Elegance and Preservation Award vehicles. The South Australian community has truly embraced the event with their continued support on the last Sunday in September each year.
The NMM has an exciting education program that offers a range of hands-on experiences for both primary and secondary students. Nestled in the scenic Adelaide Hills wine region, the National Motor Museum's grounds are perfect for picnics or a barbecue.
The NMM is renowned for hosting special events such as the Bay to Birdwood (September) - the largest continually staged vehicle run of its kind in the world.
Exhibitions
The NMM exhibitions and displays tell the stories of the people and vehicles that have shaped Australia’s motoring history, from the stately to the absurd, from the hand-built to the mass-produced. The museum has the vehicles people loved and loathed, thrashed and pampered.
The ReAssembled Exhibition looks back over the history of automobiles in Australia from the hand-built invention of a South Australian jeweller, to the first Australian car (the Holden 48-215), to the beloved family cars of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. An assembly line from Holden’s Elizabeth factory hangs above the exhibition and demonstrates the different stages of construction. The final car off the assembly line is the renowned signature car, which Holden staff have signed over the last few years.
The award winning exhibition Game Engine Digital Legends is an exhibition that looks at the relationship between, and history of, motoring and video gaming.
The museum also has one of the world’s most expensive and fastest cars on display: a 2008 Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 as well as the Chamberlain 8, the only custom racing car wholly designed and built in Australia.
Bay to Birdwood
The National Motor Museum is home to the Bay to Birdwood the largest, continually held motoring event for veteran, vintage and classic vehicles held anywhere in the world.
The Bay to Birdwood is a vehicle run held annually. Historic motorcars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles travel the 70 km route from the coastal suburb of West Beach to the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills town of Birdwood. With a history spanning back to 1980, the Bay to Birdwood is a well-known and highly respected historic motoring event that brings the community and citizen-collectors from across the globe together for a celebration.
There are two Bay to Birdwood events
The Run is held on even-numbered years and the Classic on odd-numbered years.
The Run is an event for vehicles manufactured up to 31 December 1959 and is held in ‘even’ numbered years ie. 2020, 2022, 2024 etc. The Classic is an event for vehicles manufactured between 1 January 1956 to 31 December 1986, held in ‘odd’ numbered years ie. 2019, 2021, 2023 etc.
The Bay to Birdwood is a community event – from the five thousand participants in entrant vehicles – to the hundreds of volunteers – right through to the tens of thousands of spectators lining the route to watch this historic motoring cavalcade as it travels through metropolitan Adelaide and the Hills. At the National Motor Museum Finish, motor enthusiasts and spectators enjoy an afternoon of displays, entertainment and the very popular judging of the Concours d’Elegance and Preservation Award vehicles. The South Australian community has truly embraced the event with their continued support on the last Sunday in September each year.
Museum Shop
Located in the Museum’s foyer, the gift shop has a wonderful range of merchandise. The products relate to the themes and collections of the Museum and include automobilia, books, clothing, DVDs and toys.
Facilities
The Museum has ample parking, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. The museum grounds are the perfect location for an Adelaide Hills picnic. The outdoor barbecue area is surrounded by green grass and trees and includes tables and chairs.
Children
Children are very welcome at the Museum. Not only are there close to 400 historic and significant vehicles to look at, there are also lots of fun, hands-on interactive activities.
Wheelie Good activity book
At the front counter each child will receive a free copy of the Wheelie Good Activity Book, which is chock full of games and puzzles to encourage interaction with the Museum collection. After exploring the Museum visit the Museum Officers at the front counter and they will issue your child with a Junior Driver’s Licence!
For the little ones and children
For children under 5, as part of the Model Behaviour display, there is a dedicated play space filled with toy cars, blocks and books. There is also an array of coin-operated rides scattered throughout the Museum. Children can enjoy sitting in the 1928 Chevrolet Tourer and taking a photo.
Address and opening hours
Located in the stunning township of Birdwood in Shannon Street, Adelaide Hills, the National Motor Museum is a pleasant drive, around sixty minutes, from the centre of Adelaide. Open daily 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Christmas day.
Admission: Adult: $17.50, Concession $14.50, Children $7.50 (under 5 free), Family $41.00 (up to 6 children).
Note: The NMM was started by Jack Kaines and Len Vigar in 1964, and was purchased by the South Australian Government in 1976. It holds a large and historically important collection of cars, motorcycles & commercial vehicles.
They provided me with content and photos.
Websites and local attractions
https://motor.history.sa.gov.au
National Motor Museum - Classic Restos Series 35
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-25/bay-to-birdwood-vehicle-run
History Trust of South Australia presents the 2020 Bay to Birdwood Broadcast
Hahndorf Farm Barn www.farmbarn.com.au
Melba’s Chocolate Factory www.melbaschocolates.com.au
The big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory https://thetoyfactory.com.au
Bend Motorsport Park is an hours drive from the Museum at Tailem Bend www.thebend.com.au
Located in the Museum’s foyer, the gift shop has a wonderful range of merchandise. The products relate to the themes and collections of the Museum and include automobilia, books, clothing, DVDs and toys.
Facilities
The Museum has ample parking, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. The museum grounds are the perfect location for an Adelaide Hills picnic. The outdoor barbecue area is surrounded by green grass and trees and includes tables and chairs.
Children
Children are very welcome at the Museum. Not only are there close to 400 historic and significant vehicles to look at, there are also lots of fun, hands-on interactive activities.
Wheelie Good activity book
At the front counter each child will receive a free copy of the Wheelie Good Activity Book, which is chock full of games and puzzles to encourage interaction with the Museum collection. After exploring the Museum visit the Museum Officers at the front counter and they will issue your child with a Junior Driver’s Licence!
For the little ones and children
For children under 5, as part of the Model Behaviour display, there is a dedicated play space filled with toy cars, blocks and books. There is also an array of coin-operated rides scattered throughout the Museum. Children can enjoy sitting in the 1928 Chevrolet Tourer and taking a photo.
Address and opening hours
Located in the stunning township of Birdwood in Shannon Street, Adelaide Hills, the National Motor Museum is a pleasant drive, around sixty minutes, from the centre of Adelaide. Open daily 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Christmas day.
Admission: Adult: $17.50, Concession $14.50, Children $7.50 (under 5 free), Family $41.00 (up to 6 children).
Note: The NMM was started by Jack Kaines and Len Vigar in 1964, and was purchased by the South Australian Government in 1976. It holds a large and historically important collection of cars, motorcycles & commercial vehicles.
They provided me with content and photos.
Websites and local attractions
https://motor.history.sa.gov.au
National Motor Museum - Classic Restos Series 35
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-25/bay-to-birdwood-vehicle-run
History Trust of South Australia presents the 2020 Bay to Birdwood Broadcast
Hahndorf Farm Barn www.farmbarn.com.au
Melba’s Chocolate Factory www.melbaschocolates.com.au
The big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory https://thetoyfactory.com.au
Bend Motorsport Park is an hours drive from the Museum at Tailem Bend www.thebend.com.au
