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.