We're open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM!
Motor Museum of Western Australia aims to showcase the historical connection between our vehicles and Western Australia
Motor Museum of Western Australia is located within picturesque Whiteman Park near the Swan Valley, just 30 minutes from Perth’s CBD. It is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and offers visitors a rich and immersive experience into the state’s motoring heritage.
History and Origins
The museum’s origins date back to 1983 when the idea was conceived by the Combined Car Clubs Association of Western Australia under the leadership of classic car enthusiast Maurice Brockwell. A dedicated committee was formed, including Maurice Brockwell, Kelvin Ferris, Don Stevens, David Reid, Paul Blank, Andrew Stevens, and other committed individuals. Walter Hunter, a member of the Jaguar Car Club, served as the architect for the project.
Motor Museum of Western Australia officially opened its doors to the public on 21st December 1994. The formal opening ceremony took place several months later, 2nd April 1995, officiated by the Honourable Richard Lewis M.L.A., Minister for Planning and Heritage.
The museum was dedicated to the late Percy Markam (1913–1994) in recognition of his significant contributions to the historic vehicle movement in Western Australia.
In 1991, the museum was formally incorporated under Motor Museum of Western Australia Trust, which is governed by a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Trustee. The museum enjoys the status of a Tax-Deductible Gift Recipient, allowing donors to gift vehicles or items and receive tax concessions for such contributions.
The Collection and Displays
Motor Museum of Western Australia boasts one of the largest collections of privately owned motor vehicles and motoring memorabilia in Australia. The collection includes over 200 motor vehicles, ranging from cars, racing cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even a fire engine. These vehicles span a remarkable timeframe—from as early as 1896 through to present day —offering visitors a comprehensive visual timeline of the evolution of motoring in Western Australia.
In addition to vehicles, the museum is home to an extensive collection of model cars, numbering over 15,000 scale models, including the entire collection of 1,250 model cars from Biante Models, including prototype and pre-production models in various scales such as 1/18th, 1/43rd, and 1/72nd and a large collection from Blair Allsop.
This makes the museum’s model car collection the largest held in any Australian museum and in the Southern Hemisphere.
The displays also incorporate an impressive array of motoring artefacts, including over 2,000 hubcaps, pedal cars, metal signs, and a rich archive of historic motor racing and other motoring photographs. Visitors will also find old automotive tools, petrol pumps, and various “garagenalia”—items associated with garage life and motor culture.
Among the notable special displays is “Buttercup”, a bright yellow 2003 Byfield-Jaguar sports car. This striking vehicle, featuring a mid-engined V12 and an all-aluminium handcrafted body, was built by 82-year-old Cliff Byfield in Bayswater, Perth, and remains a favourite amongst visitors.
The museum also houses an extensive reference library with almost 30,000 publications and 20,000 historic motoring images. The RAC Learning Hub, sponsored by RAC (WA), provides educational opportunities for school groups, introducing children to the history of motoring with a particular focus on Western Australia. The museum also supports local car clubs by offering meeting rooms and continuing to expand its reference resources.
Expansion and Facilities
Thanks to fantastic support from Lotterywest, private donors, Shannons Insurance, and individual contractors, the museum added a large 2,000 square metre extension (Ricciardo Hall) to increase display capacity in 2017.
Operations, Volunteers, and Funding
Motor Museum of Western Australia operates as a not-for-profit organisation and is largely self-funded. Revenues come primarily from admission fees, very generous donations and corporate sponsorships. There is no ongoing government funding, so the museum depends greatly on community support.
The museum has a dedicated team of over 70 volunteers. These volunteers play an essential role in maintaining the vehicles, cleaning and polishing displays, inflating tyres, managing the front counter and gift shop, and assisting with school groups and offering tours.
Visitor Information
Motor Museum of Western Australia is open every day, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (except Christmas Day). The museum shop offers a variety of motoring-related items including books, model cars, magnets, badges, keyrings, signs and other automobilia, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts.
