When it comes to motoring, WA boasts a rich and passionate history and a surprising variety of well-stocked museums. Whether you are interested in Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 red bull car or vintage cars, tractors, trains and agricultural history, Perth’s motoring museums have you covered.
Motor Museum of Western Australia
The home of Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull F1 racing car, the Motor Museum of Western Australia is open seven days a week and is located in the heart of scenic Whiteman Park. Housing one of the largest collections of privately-owned motor vehicles in the country, dating from the early 1900’s up to present day, the museum hosts an exciting visual timeline of Western Australia’s motoring history. Offering vehicles with local historical stories as well as a variety of rare models, this kid-friendly exhibit is great for a day out with the family.
Admission is $16.50 for adults, $13 for concession and seniors, $7 for children and free for children under seven.
For group bookings get in contact through their website. Open 10am — 4pm, 7 days. Whiteman Park 223a Drumpellier Dr, Whiteman
York Motor Museum
Housing the motoring collection of uber-wealthy car enthusiast Peter Briggs, the unassuming York Motor Museum showcases a truly extraordinary range of cars including classic vintage and racing cars from the 1920’s and 30’s, American cars from the 50’s and Australian race cars from the Bathurst races of the 70’s. Visitors can also enjoy an expansive collection of posters, photographs and other motoring memorabilia.
Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and students and $3 for children under 12.
Group bookings and guided tours are available, for more information contact +61 8 9641 1288 Open 9am — 4pm, seven days. 116 Avon Terrace, York
Bassendean Railway Museum – Rail Heritage WA<
Significant for its expansive collection of locomotives and rail memorabilia which tell the history of all railways across the state, the Bassendean Railway Museum is the leading railway history museum in WA. Home to a large collection of vehicles and machinery including heavy freight steam locomotives, small gauge mine locomotives, passenger carriages, freight wagons and four different railway gauges, the exhibition also features a collection of artefacts and photographs spanning the spectrum of railway history.
Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for concession, $4 for children up to 14 and free for children under four.
For group bookings contact bookings@railheritagewa.org.au Open 1pm — 5pm, Sundays.
Tractor Museum of WA
With a collection of close to 40 tractors, including the rare 1923 Bailor cultivator built in America, the Tractor Museum of WA is a chance to explore relics from Western Australia’s agricultural past and a fun day out for both motoring and agriculture enthusiasts. The collection includes the original prototype tractor developed in WA’s own, now closed down manufacturing company ‘Chamberlain Industries’. Visitors can also view a range of stationary engines, vintage trucks and artefacts and photographs depicting country life.
Entry cost is by donation.
Open 10am – 4pm, Wednesday, Friday – Sunday. Whiteman, WA
Revolutions Transport Museum
Home to Lew Whiteman’s Whiteman Collection of antique machinery, Revolutions Transport Museum is Western Australia’s only land transport and heritage museum. Showcasing the history and continuing impact our transport choices have on the way we live and the landscapes we live within, this collection examines the stories and transportation developments that have not only shaped the past but that will affect the future. You can also experience a set of mini-movies in the museum’s theatre depicting our land transport story.
Entry by donation, fees for some special programs apply.
Open 10am — 4pm, daily. Lord St, Whiteman
Hugh Manning Tractor & Machinery Museum
Also known as Serpentine Tractor and Machinery Museum, the museum is home to the personal collection of founder Dr. Hugh Manning, an avid collector of tractors and agricultural machinery since the 60’s. Over 60 vintage tractors restored to working condition are on display as well as a vast array of vintage machinery employed by the farming communities of WA since the early 1900s. It’s a rare chance to learn more about the working history of rural Australia.
Free for children under 12, admission fee of $5 for children over 12 and adults. Bus tours and school groups can be catered for during the week for visits. To book contact them through their website.
Open 10am — 3pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Wellard Street, Serpentine WA
