Australia's oldest Holden museum gets second life in New South Wales

The National Holden Motor Museum has found a new home in New South Wales, becoming a permanent feature at Coffs Harbour’s Bunker Gallery.

Originally opening in Bayswater, Victoria in 1984 before moving to Echuca in 1993, the National Holden Motor Museum closed its doors earlier this year with its contents auctioned off.

Now, Coffs Harbour dealership owner Geoff King has donated 25 Holdens and memorabilia from the former museum to the Bunker Gallery, where they will now be on display permanently.

News of the Area reports a replica of Peter Brock’s 1985 VK SS Group A Holden Commodore Bathurst challenger, as well as a Holden 48-215 FX – the first model to be built in Australia – are among the vehicles on display.

Memorabilia includes ongoing footage of historical Holden advertisements and documentaries, which are being run in the revived cinema section as seen at Echuca.

The gallery is housed in an underground World War II bunker that has been converted into an exhibition space, and which also houses the National Cartoon Gallery.

If you’re keen on viewing Australia’s automotive history but can’t make the trek to Coffs Harbour, alternative options include:

• National Motor Museum – Birdwood, South Australia
• National Motor Racing Museum – Bathurst, New South Wales
• Trafalgar Holden Museum – Trafalgar, Victoria
• National Automobile Museum of Tasmania – Launceston, Tasmania
• Museum of Vehicle Evolution – Kialla, Victoria

MORE: Australia’s oldest Holden museum is closing its doors MORE: Five museum to visit if you love Australian cars