Old Bike Australasia – July 21, 2019

42 :OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA

Home on

the Grange

Story and photosPeter Laverty

Tucked away on the New South Wales south coast is a museum that has grown from humble

beginnings as the Illawarra Motor Museum in 1992 to now fill several large buildings spread over

4,000 square metres, with an eclectic assortment of motorcycles, cars, trucks and memorabilia.

AUSTRALIAN MOTORLIFE MUSEUM

The Illawarraarea has a rich history in the

motoring field, and in motorcycling terms has

produced more than its share of champions, Wayne

Garner (a patron of the museum) and Troy Corser to

name just a couple. Fittingly, there is a dedicated

exhibition of bikes and memorabilia from the Gardner

family, although it is sealed off behind glass panels.

As well as the motor vehicles, there are extensive

displays of things like petrol pumps, workshop

equipment, gramophones, typewriters and

telephones that provide a fascinating snapshot of

the 20th century. The NMRA has an exhibition to

A Douglas ‘patrol bike’ forms

part of the NRMA exhibition.