If you’ve got a car‑mad kid or you secretly love a bit of motoring history yourself, the Motor Museum of Western Australia, located in the heart of Whiteman Park, is a brilliant spot to visit. Found next to the Whiteman Park café and just opposite a playground and pool, a visit slots nicely into a full family day out. Keep your eyes peeled for the huge mural on the side of the museum – complete with a shoe-y by Daniel Ricciardo!
The museum has a big variety of cars, and one of the best parts is that many of them change every three months or so. That means if you visited a few years back, it’s well worth going again, because there will be plenty of new things to see. The collection covers everything from vintage and classic cars, to Aussie favourites and sporty show‑stoppers.
Take the kids for a trip down memory lane as you explore the changes to motor vehicles over the last century. From horse & carts and Model T Fords to solar-powered cars and vehicles from every decade in between.
You’ll find the Governor’s Rolls‑Royce Phantom, which is every bit as grand as it sounds. There’s also the car from the Red Dog movie, which is a fun one for kids who’ve seen the film. There’s muscle cars, sporty coupes and JDM (Japanese spots cars) that my teenager particularly loves.
And of course, the main attraction for many is F1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull Racing car! I’ve been a huge Formula One fan since I was a kid in the 1990s. Seeing it up close really gives you a sense of how low, sleek and fast these machines are. The RB10, Danny Ric’s race-winning car from his breakout 2014 season, is the real deal. It’s not a shell or a replica. Its Renault engine is hidden under the shiny Newey-designed chassis. Even the steering wheel, with its multitude of buttons, is still in the cockpit. It blows my mind at how much it is worth, “seven figures”, that’s millions! We’re so lucky to have this 3-race winning car right here in Perth.
You’ll also find a drag racing car, and other racing and performance cars. WA’s racing history is well documented at the museum, the nearby Caversham track was home to a couple of F1 Grand Prix in the 1950s. The kids were almost as excited as me to see it and it’s a great photo opp.
Because these cars are rare and often irreplaceable, most of the collection is very much “hands off”, which is totally understandable. For families, the museum has done a nice job of adding a few interactive elements so the kids don’t spend the whole time being told not to touch. On our visit, the kids really enjoyed a car badge “eye-spy” activity, which kept them engaged as we wandered around.
Drive the old car that they can actually climb into and sit in, which is always a hit.
They also loved exploring the RAC Intelibus, driverless bus.
Push the button to start the Scalextric track, a colouring corner and other little hands‑on bits dotted around.
A cool exhibit was an old ford which had every element of it cut away, so kids can see what’s hidden away in the engine and below our feet in the dashboard.
I love the long saloons from the 1920s, they remind me of something from the Great Gatsby or a gangster movie. The luxury cars are beautiful. You’ll find a Bentley, Rolls Royce and more. There’s every car you can think of, even a police car.
You can also take a peek inside a repair workshop display.
There are also loads of posters, model cars and other memorabilia and merch for sale. And there are motorbike and scooters for the two-wheeler fans – even bicycles!
With over 100 beautifully restored vehicles, the Motor Museum of Western Australia is not only educational for children, but a must for every rev head. Run by passionate volunteers, be sure to have a chat with them, they’re sure to give you a fascinating insight into the cars. There’s pretty much a story behind each vehicle! The Motor Museum has something for everyone, whether you’re into vintage machinery, Australian motoring history, sporty race cars or you’re just along for the ride.
Details
The Museum, operated by the Motor Museum of WA Trust, is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
Monday to Saturday – 10am to 4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays – 10am to 5pm
Find out more by visiting www.motormuseumofwa.asn.au
Find more things to do in the Swan Valley
Find more places to visit in Perth
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots (brunching, tapas or something a little fancy), as well as fun family activities with the kiddos in tow, so Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
