National Motor Museum

The National Motor Museum is an automobile museum in Birdwood displaying more than 350 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks, housed in a converted historic mill building. The collection spans multiple levels and shows how vehicle technology and design evolved from the earliest days to modern times.

The museum was founded in 1964 by Jack Kaines and Len Vigar under the name Birdwood Mill Pioneer, Art and Motor Museum. In 1976 it became government property and has developed into a major institution for documenting motoring heritage.

The collection shows how driving shaped Australian society and connects vehicles with major shifts in how people lived and worked across generations. Walking through the exhibits, you notice how cars changed what families could do and where communities could grow.

The museum is located in the Adelaide Hills and operates on a cashless basis, which keeps transactions straightforward. Most visitors find it helpful to plan for two to three hours to explore the different exhibition areas comfortably.

The museum serves as the finish point for the Bay to Birdwood event, where vintage car owners drive their vehicles from Adelaide's beachfront to the museum grounds. This annual gathering draws thousands of enthusiasts and spectators, turning the route into a moving collection of historic automobiles.

Location: Birdwood

Inception: 1964

Official opening: 1965

Address: Shannon Street, Birdwood SA 5234

Phone: +61885684000

Email: motor@history.sa.gov.au

Website: https://motor.history.sa.gov.au

GPS coordinates: -34.81972,138.95444

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05