Australian Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst – Is It Worth It?
If you’re visiting Bathurst and have even a passing interest in Australian motorsport, the Australian Motor Racing Museum is well worth adding to your itinerary. Located at Murray’s Corner on the famous Mount Panorama circuit, it offers a fascinating look at the events, drivers and machines that have shaped Australian racing history.
One of the things that surprised us was how immersive the experience feels. It’s more than just a collection of cars behind barriers. Historic race cars, memorabilia, trophies, photographs, videos and interactive displays help bring decades of Australian motorsport history to life. Whether you followed the Holden versus Ford rivalry or simply want to learn more about Bathurst’s racing heritage, there’s plenty to keep you engaged.
For many visitors, the museum works best as part of a broader Mount Panorama experience. After exploring the exhibits, you can drive the public road that forms the race circuit and see iconic corners such as Skyline, The Dipper and Forrest’s Elbow for yourself.
Australian Motor Racing Museum at a Glance
Location: Murray’s Corner, Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Entry Fee: Adults from approximately $15 (check current pricing)
Wheelchair Friendly: Yes
Souvenir Shop: Yes
Allow: 1–2 hours
Good for Rainy Days: Yes
Family Friendly: Best for visitors interested in motorsport
Combine With: A drive around the Mount Panorama circuit.
Thinking of going to the Great Race, read my guide on Bathurst 1000 for First Timers first.
What You’ll See Inside
The museum’s collection is heavily focused on the events that made Bathurst famous:
- Mount Panorama and the Bathurst 1000
- The Bathurst 12 Hour
- Targa Tasmania
- Historic touring cars and racing memorabilia
- Trophies, photographs, racing suits and driver artefacts
The displays do an excellent job of telling the story of Australia’s most famous endurance races and the legends who conquered them. Even if you weren’t around during the golden years of touring car racing, you’ll likely recognise many of the names featured throughout the museum.
Racing Legends on Display
Motorsport fans will appreciate the tributes to some of Australia’s greatest drivers, including:
- Peter Brock, the legendary “King of the Mountain”
- Dick Johnson
- Mark Skaife
- Jim Richards
- Craig Lowndes
The exhibits provide a nostalgic journey through decades of Holden versus Ford battles, Bathurst victories and iconic moments that remain part of Australian sporting folklore.
A Great Rainy-Day Activity in Bathurst
Bathurst is best known for its outdoor attractions, but the Australian Motor Racing Museum is one of the best things to do when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Because the museum is entirely indoors, it’s an excellent rainy-day activity in Bathurst, allowing you to spend an hour or two exploring Australia’s motorsport history while staying warm and dry. If rain or extreme heat disrupts your plans, this is an easy addition to your itinerary.
What the Museum Doesn’t Cover Well
While the museum excels at documenting Australian touring car racing and Bathurst history, it feels less comprehensive when it comes to Australia’s achievements on the international stage.
Visitors looking for extensive coverage of:
- Formula 1
- MotoGP and Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- The Dakar Rally
- Other major international racing categories
may find those areas underrepresented. Given Australia’s significant contributions to global motorsport, a broader international perspective would make the museum even stronger.
Is It Suitable for Kids?
This depends entirely on their interest in motorsport.
Children who love cars, racing and motorsport history will likely enjoy seeing the race cars and memorabilia. However, much of the museum consists of static displays and historical exhibits.
If your kids aren’t already interested in racing, they may become bored fairly quickly. Motorsport fans, however, will likely be fascinated.
Accessibility
The Australian Motor Racing Museum is wheelchair friendly, with accessible facilities and level access throughout much of the museum, making it suitable for visitors with mobility requirements.
Souvenir Shop
Before leaving, be sure to browse the museum’s souvenir shop, which stocks a range of motorsport-themed gifts, books, apparel, model cars and memorabilia. It’s a good place to pick up a keepsake from your visit to Mount Panorama.
Opening Hours
Opening hours may change seasonally or during major race events, so it’s worth checking the official website before visiting.
Typical opening hours are:
- Daily: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Entry Fees
Entry fees are generally affordable and help support the preservation of the collection.
At the time of writing:
- Adult: approximately $15
- Concession: approximately $10
- Children: approximately $7
- Family passes available
As prices can change, check the museum’s website for the latest admission costs before your visit.
How Long Do You Need?
Most visitors spend 1–2 hours exploring the Australian Motor Racing Museum.
If you’re a casual visitor with a general interest in cars and Australian sporting history, around an hour is usually enough to see the major exhibits and iconic race cars. Dedicated motorsport fans will likely want two hours or more, especially if they take the time to read the displays, watch the video presentations and examine the memorabilia from Bathurst’s rich racing history.
Many visitors combine the museum with a drive around Mount Panorama, a visit to the lookout points, or lunch in Bathurst, making it an easy half-day activity.
If you’re visiting on a rainy day, allow a little extra time to fully appreciate the exhibits and browse the souvenir shop before heading back out.
Would We Visit Again?
Yes, especially if you’re a motorsport fan. The Australian Motor Racing Museum does a great job of preserving the stories, cars and personalities that made Bathurst famous. While we’d love to see more coverage of Australia’s success in international motorsport, the museum’s focus on Mount Panorama and the Bathurst racing scene is exactly what most visitors come to see.
Combined with a drive around the circuit, it helps turn a visit to Mount Panorama from simply seeing a racetrack into understanding why it’s such an important part of Australian sporting culture.
Roam With No Regrets Tip: Combine your museum visit with a drive around the Mount Panorama circuit. Seeing the memorabilia inside the museum and then experiencing the elevation changes and famous corners of the track yourself creates a much richer Bathurst experience. If you’re heading to the race itself, don’t forget to read our Bathurst 1000 for First Timers guide before you go.
