NSW Car and Truck Museums

If you’re a motoring enthusiast, a family looking for a unique road-trip detour, or someone curious about Australia’s automotive history, New South Wales offers some of the best car and truck museums in the country. Across regional towns and cities, you’ll find collections that preserve the engineering, innovation, and nostalgia of our motoring past. From racing legends and Holden classics to massive transport trucks and fire engines, these museums celebrate the vehicles that helped shape Australia.

Below, we highlight ten of the best car museums and at least five incredible truck museums in NSW. Each one includes essential visitor information such as opening hours, contacts, and what to expect when you visit.

1. National Motor Racing Museum – Bathurst

Located beside the famous Mount Panorama racing circuit, the National Motor Racing Museum celebrates Australia’s rich motorsport history. It features legendary race cars, bikes, and memorabilia from Bathurst’s biggest races, including the iconic Bathurst 1000. The exhibits change regularly, and motorsport fans can enjoy rare footage and personal stories from racing legends. Address: 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst NSW 2795. Open daily from 9am to 4:30pm. Phone: (02) 6332 1872. Website: https://museumsbathurst.com.au/nmrm/.

2. Cooma Car Club Motor Museum

Nestled in the Snowy Mountains, the Cooma Car Club Motor Museum showcases a collection of vintage cars, motorbikes, and memorabilia celebrating Australia’s motoring culture. The museum is managed by passionate volunteers and often hosts local motoring events and car rallies. Address: 11 Bolaro St, Cooma NSW 2630. Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Phone: (02) 6452 3377. Website: https://www.coomacarclub.com.au/Motor-Museum.

3. National Transport Museum – Inverell

Home to one of the largest collections of transport memorabilia in NSW, the National Transport Museum houses over 200 vehicles, including vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, and fire engines. The displays cover Australian automotive history from the early 1900s to today. Address: 69 Rifle Range Rd, Inverell NSW 2360. Open daily from 10am to 4pm. Phone: (02) 6721 2270. Website: https://www.nationaltransportmuseum.com.au/.

4. Australian Motorlife Museum – Kembla Grange

This museum showcases the early years of motoring and transport history, with more than 100 vehicles and rare memorabilia from the early 1900s through to the 1950s. It’s one of the largest museums of its type in Australia and a must-see for fans of vintage engineering. Address: Integral Energy Recreation Park, Darkes Rd, Kembla Grange NSW 2526. Open Thursday to Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Phone: (02) 4261 4100. Website: https://australianmotorlifemuseum.com/.

NSW Car and Truck Museums

5. Gosford Classic Car Museum (now Central Coast Auto Museum)

Previously known as the Gosford Classic Car Museum, this popular attraction was one of the largest private car collections in the Southern Hemisphere. While the original museum closed, the new Central Coast Auto Museum continues to celebrate exotic and Australian classics. Visitors can explore a wide range of vintage and modern vehicles from across the globe. Address: 3 Stockyard Pl, West Gosford NSW 2250. Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Phone: (02) 4329 0000. Website: https://motormuseum.net.au/.

6. Bathurst Holden Museum

Holden fans will love the Bathurst Holden Museum, located near Mount Panorama. The museum celebrates the brand’s incredible Australian legacy with a vast display of cars, memorabilia, and racing history, including models from the first Holden 48-215 to the modern Commodore. Address: 400 Boundary Rd, Bathurst NSW 2795. Open daily from 10am to 4pm. Phone: 0408 602 466. Website: https://holdenmuseum.com.au/.

7. Mildura Holden Motor Museum

Although technically located in Victoria, the Mildura Holden Motor Museum is a must-visit for NSW travellers near the border. It features more than 40 beautifully restored Holdens, plus memorabilia celebrating Australia’s homegrown automotive hero. The museum also includes a café and gift shop. Address: 58 West Rd, Buronga NSW 2739 (just across the Murray River). Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Phone: 0419 294 777. Website: https://milduraholdenmuseum.com.au/.

8. Parkes Motor Museum

Located in the Henry Parkes Centre, the Parkes Motor Museum is run by the Parkes Antique Motor Club and features around 50 cars, motorcycles, and memorabilia from the 1920s onward. The collection includes Australian, European, and American classics. Address: 66-78 Peak Hill Rd, Parkes NSW 2870. Open daily from 10am to 4pm. Phone: (02) 6862 6000. Website: https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

9. Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway and Museum

While still under development, the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway is a fascinating destination for vintage train and transport enthusiasts. The small museum features railway artifacts, local history, and a few classic vehicles from the region. Address: North St, Oberon NSW 2787. Open selected weekends. Phone: (02) 6336 0199. Website: https://www.othr.com.au/.

10. Coffs Harbour Heritage and Car Museum

This charming regional museum features an assortment of vintage vehicles, old machinery, and motoring memorabilia. It’s a fun and educational stop for families exploring the Mid North Coast. Address: 44 Aviation Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. Open Friday to Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Phone: (02) 6652 9983.

Car Museum

Top Truck Museums in NSW

If you’re a truck enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like seeing these massive machines up close, feeling the power they represent, and exploring the history behind each vehicle. Truck museums in New South Wales offer an incredible opportunity to step into the world of heavy transport, from vintage delivery trucks and early freight haulers to restored modern rigs. Whether you’re fascinated by the engineering, the design, or the stories of the drivers who kept Australia moving, these museums provide a hands-on experience that brings trucking history to life. Many of the museums are run by passionate volunteers who are happy to share the stories behind the vehicles, making your visit both educational and inspiring. With trucks preserved from decades past and displays that highlight the evolution of Australia’s road transport industry, a trip to a truck museum is a must for anyone who loves trucks and wants to see them in real life.

Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre (ARTHC), Gundagai

The Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre in Gundagai is one of NSW’s best-known destinations for truck enthusiasts. It showcases restored trucks, tractors, and transport memorabilia from across the decades. Visitors can explore displays on Australia’s freight history and view beautifully preserved vehicles from different eras. The museum is located at 1 Jack Moses Avenue, Gundagai NSW 2722, on the corner of Tor Street and Jack Moses Avenue. It is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 3pm. The entry fee is modest, and children under 16 are usually free. For enquiries, call (02) 6067 2106 or visit their website at arthc.com.au.

National Transport Museum, Inverell

The National Transport Museum in Inverell features one of the largest transport collections in the state, with over 200 vehicles including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and fire engines. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in the development of Australian transport and the machinery that helped build the country. The museum is located at 69 Rifle Range Road, Inverell NSW 2360. It is open daily from 9am to 4pm, excluding Christmas Day. You can reach them on (02) 6721 2270 or learn more through their website at nationaltransportmuseum.com.au.

Sydney Bus Museum, Leichhardt

Although its primary focus is buses, the Sydney Bus Museum in Leichhardt also houses a number of historic trucks and support vehicles. The museum tells the story of Sydney’s public transport and road fleet, including some of the first heavy vehicles used in Australia’s urban services. It is located at 25 Derbyshire Road, Leichhardt NSW 2040. The museum is open on the first and third Sunday of every month from 10am to 4pm. For details, phone (02) 9572 6789 or visit sydneybusmuseum.com.

Oberon Truck and Machinery Museum, Oberon

Run by dedicated volunteers, the Oberon Truck and Machinery Museum celebrates Australia’s agricultural and trucking heritage. It houses a range of vintage trucks, tractors, bulldozers, and construction equipment—many of which have been lovingly restored by local enthusiasts. Visitors can explore displays showing how trucks and machinery shaped regional industries. The museum is located at 90 North Street, Oberon NSW 2787, and is open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. For further information, call 0498 417 965.

Junee Truck and Transport Museum, Junee

Located in the Riverina region, the Junee Truck and Transport Museum is a favourite among trucking enthusiasts. Its displays include restored trucks, buses, and vintage service vehicles from across the decades. Visitors can also see memorabilia from the local freight industry and learn about the evolution of trucking in rural Australia. The museum is located at 1 Harold Street, Junee NSW 2663. Opening hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. You can contact the museum on 0428 633 004.

Ariah Park Truck and Heritage Museum

A hidden gem in the small town of Ariah Park, this volunteer-run museum houses a range of historic vehicles including early trucks and transport equipment used in the Riverina region. The museum provides insight into rural freight history and the machinery used throughout the twentieth century. It’s located on Coolamon Street, Ariah Park NSW 2665. The museum typically opens on weekends or by appointment. Contact the Ariah Park Heritage Committee through the local visitor centre for details.

Gunnedah Rural Museum

The Gunnedah Rural Museum isn’t just about trucks—it features a massive collection of more than 23,000 exhibits including tractors, machinery, and vintage transport vehicles. Among the highlights are beautifully restored trucks and equipment used in farming and mining. The museum is located on Oxley Highway, Gunnedah NSW 2380. It’s open daily from 9am to 4pm, and you can reach them on (02) 6742 5584.

Boorowa Historical Museum and Transport Collection

This small but well-curated regional museum features classic vehicles, including old transport trucks, wagons, and early service vehicles used throughout the Hilltops region. It provides a charming glimpse into rural Australian transport history. The museum is located at 26 Marsden Street, Boorowa NSW 2586. It’s open weekends and public holidays from 10am to 2pm. For details, contact the Boorowa Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6385 3966.

Itinerary Ideas for Car and Truck Enthusiasts

Northern NSW Loop

Start your journey in Inverell at the National Transport Museum, then head through the scenic New England region. Stop by Parkes to visit the Pioneer Park Antique Machinery Museum before making your way to Gundagai’s Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre. This route offers a great mix of cars, trucks, and rural Australian history.

Coastal Motoring Adventure

Begin in Sydney and head south to Wollongong to explore the Australian Motorlife Museum. Continue north along the Pacific Highway toward Coffs Harbour and visit the National Holden Motor Museum. This trip combines coastal beauty with car lover’s paradise.

Central West and Bathurst Trail

Head west from Sydney to Bathurst for the National Motor Racing Museum. Continue on to Forbes for McFeeters Motor Museum and explore nearby small towns that often host local car club displays and vintage rallies.

Snowy Mountains and Monaro Drive

If you’re travelling through southern NSW, stop at the Cooma Car Club Motoring Museum and explore the Snowy Mountains region. This area is especially scenic in spring and summer, with plenty of quiet country roads for those who love to drive.

Tips for Visiting NSW’s Car and Truck Museums

Always check opening hours – Many of these museums are volunteer-run, so schedules can change at short notice.
Group bookings – Most museums welcome group tours and may offer special presentations or guided walks for car clubs and school groups.
Accessibility – Larger museums such as those in Inverell and Wollongong offer wheelchair access and good parking facilities.
Combine with scenic drives – Plan your visit as part of a longer trip through regional NSW. These museums are often near historic towns, wineries, and national parks.
Photography – Most museums allow photos, but always check before taking flash photography or videos.
Gift shops – Don’t miss the souvenir shops; they often sell miniature die-cast cars, books, and motoring memorabilia.
Events and rallies – Some museums host classic car rallies and open days. If you’re lucky, you might time your visit with one of these special events.
Support the volunteers – Many museums rely on donations and volunteer work, so your visit helps keep this history alive.

Suggested 8-Day NSW Motoring Heritage Road Trip

Day 1: Depart Sydney and drive to Wollongong to visit the Australian Motorlife Museum. Stay overnight in Wollongong.
Day 2: Travel inland toward Bathurst and visit the National Motor Racing Museum. Explore the Mount Panorama circuit.
Day 3: Drive to Forbes and stop at McFeeters Motor Museum. Stay overnight locally.
Day 4: Continue to Inverell and spend the day at the National Transport Museum.
Day 5: Head south to Gundagai and explore the Australian Road Transport Heritage Centre.
Day 6: Travel further south to Cooma and visit the Cooma Car Club Motoring Museum.
Day 7: Drive to Coffs Harbour to see the National Holden Motor Museum.
Day 8: Return via the coast, stopping at smaller heritage museums or local car club displays along the way.

Final Thoughts

New South Wales is a paradise for anyone with a passion for vehicles, engines, and the open road. From the polished classics at Cooma to the roaring trucks at Gundagai, each museum tells a different story about Australia’s transport evolution. Whether you’re planning a family trip, a club rally, or just want to appreciate beautifully preserved machinery, these museums provide an unforgettable journey through time.

Each stop along the way offers not just vehicles, but history — stories of innovation, endurance, and community spirit. NSW’s car and truck museums aren’t just for enthusiasts; they’re for anyone who loves the idea of discovery, travel, and nostalgia. So fill the tank, grab your map, and set off on a true motoring adventure across New South Wales.