Established in 1992 by a group of motoring enthusiasts and renamed Australian MOTORLIFE Museum last year, the attraction offers an insight into the history of motoring including vehicles and memorabilia and, along with other exhibits, offers an intriguing snapshot into the progress of motoring in the 20th century.

The museum can be found in the Integral Energy Recreation Park which also offers amenities, picnic areas, barbecues and a children’s playground.

Wendy Muddell, along with a small core of hard-working members who are behind the re-establishment and growth of the museum, says the organising group’s mission is for the attraction to become a major regional tourist attraction and the recognised centre of excellence in NSW for the collection, preservation, research, interpretation and demonstration of motor vehicles and the many other aspects of our motoring heritage.

Wendy, who is the organisation’s president, admits to being a “car enthusiast” for as long as she can remember, came from Newcastle to Wollongong with her husband in the early 1960s and like her fellow members and volunteers – there are some 90 members – is justifiably proud of what has been achieved since the museum moved from its original home near the German Club at Kembla Grange on Northcliffe Road to Darkes Road.

Altogether there are some 52 cars and bicycles on display, the oldest being a 1908 Schacht model car.

Among the other exhibits is the oldest registered bus, a 1917 model, which belonged to local firm Doherty Coaches, a typical country motor garage dating back to 1934, a 1929 Triumph Super 7 and two caravans from the early 1950s.

The museum owns 10 of the vehicles and the two caravans, the others being on short and long term loans.

Award winner 

Wendy and her fellow members and volunteers are also proud of the fact the museum was judged the 2008 winner of Wollongong’s Australia Day Community Award.

MOTORLIFE is open six days a week, (it is closed on Mondays), and also offers light refreshments, a function and meeting room and ample parking.

A member of Museums Australia Council of Heritage Motor Clubs and a foundation member of the Australasian Motor Museums Association, MOTORWIDE also exhibits motorcycles, vehicle accessories and typewriters dating as far back as 1896.

Although Wendy admits there is still much more work to achieve at the site the museum is certainly a wonderful tourist attraction, and for people living locally is a must-visit place.

You can visit their website on www.motorlifemuseum.com.au or call Wendy on 0408 211 844.