Museums that have caravans

[cobber]

Shesgotthelook posted on the 11th June 2014

Took a drive from Cobram to Tocumwal on the long weekend. A delighful collection of caravans is housed at Chrystie's museum.
(Please move to the 'Museum's that have caravans' thread if you think appropriate)





























Don't let these photos stop you from visiting the museum.... it has much more to offer than just caravans.



Cobber.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Cobber,

Just letting you know that the "other" Kaesler caravan (the first one built in 1928) is on show at the National Trust Museum at Goolwa in South Australia: www.nationaltrust.org.au/sa/goolwa-museum

Maybe you'd like to add it to the museum listing at the top of this thread?

It needs to be noted that the Museum is only open for short and somewhat unpredictable hours, so it is best to try and ring before hand to make sure it is going to be open before you visit. It took me three or four days of hanging around over two visits before I caught a day when it was open. (No criticism of the museum management or staff is intended - I'm sure it is hard to run a museum entirely with volunteer labour.)

Don Ricardo

[cobber]

Thanks Don R,

I have added it to the list and have been careful to maintain the controversy as to when 'Pop' actually built these two vans    

Isn't it great you can see both of these 'Motor Homes' / Caravans whilst on a tour of South Australia ?

Cobber.

[Don Ricardo]

G'day all,

I had a message from Son No 1 today to tell me that he'd visited Campe's Motor Museum in Hamilton, Victoria. One of the items on display is the following caravan:





As you can see the caravan is labelled "My 1950 Teardrop", but it is a (small) full-sized caravan, not a teardrop. I thought I might be able to figure out who built it, but so far I've only worked out that it probably isn't either a Gypsy or a Carapark, both of which built 8, 9 or 10 ft vans without a back window. Any other suggestions as to the brand?

Another 'museum that has caravans' for the list Cobber, if you wouldn't mind.

Don Ricardo

[cobber]

G'day Don R,

Thanks to you and your well trained No.1 son for that info.  ..... she's on the list   

The Camps tell me they bought the van from a Tamworth resident who told them he made the van in the 1950s. They would dearly like to get hold of a vintage teardrop to put on display.
The also said they have about 80 cars on display in the museum.

www.visitsoutherngrampians.com.au/campes-motor-museum

Cobber

[Don Ricardo]

Hi all,

I saw a video clip posted by Cruz on Facebook today about a new motor museum established in Deniliquin by the Purtill family. There are a couple of vintage caravans on display, including a 1930’s Paramount.

The details are:

The Depot Historic Collection
158 Hardinge Street
Deniliquin NSW 2710

Phone: [phone]

Looks like it’s definitely worth a visit.

Don Ricardo

[cobber]

G'day Don R,

Thanks for that info regarding The Depot Heritage Collection at Deniliquin, it looks like a top spot and they have a pretty cool web site too
I've added them to the list 😉

Cobber.

[thegeneral]

Wagin Caravan Museum,     With the committee formed an work already started and a lot to do so the June 1 long weekend 
we are planning a weekend camp out at the Wagin R.V. camp.   No booking required but you can ring Brian 0408 090 962 
to let him know that you are coming.   For those who are interested we are having a work bee going or just drop in for a look
or put your 2 bob's worth in.   All V.V. and Classic vaner's welcome.  Come for a day or stay the weekend.
  Any queries you can ring Graeme  0419096883..

[Mustang]

Mar 4, 2020 8:07:53 GMT 10 cobber said:

G'day Don R,

Thanks for that info regarding The Depot Heritage Collection at Deniliquin, it looks like a top spot and they have a pretty cool web site too
I've added them to the list 😉

Cobber.

What a family heritage, we will certainly visit when that way again.

[cobber]

Thanks Graeme for mentioning the Wagin caravan museum, I have added them to THE LIST even though at the moment they are open only by appointment.

Cobber.

[thegeneral]

Hi Cobber nice to hear from you,  over here they will open up the local region limit's on Monday so we can do a little journey.
The museum wont be officially open for a while there are things to do also who can pass up a chance to get out
and go somewhere in our van's .  There are a couple of van's l need to dust and clean [you know which one's].
  Graeme 

[kenny]

The York Motor Museum in Western Australia has a caravan
www.facebook.com/yorkmotor/photos/186770712053998

[kenny]

Feb 23, 2010 10:57:57 GMT 10 cobber said:

G'day Sweeper four fives,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for raising this subject.

Scattered around the forum there is mention of museums that have a caravan or two in them..... now is the opportunity to get them all in one place state by state and put them in DHL

NOTE ! NOT ALL MUSEUMS HAVE THE CARAVANS ON PERMANENT DISPLAY.... CHECK BEFORE YOU GO THERE. If any of the links don't work try doing a google on the name of the museum -------------------------------------------------------


VICTORIA

Dunolly.

[/b]
Members of this forum
Graham & Linda’s Vintage Caravan Museum is located at 68 Broadway, Dunolly.
Open to the public most Fridays – Saturdays – Sundays – Mondays.
$2 entry , group bookings by appointment.
Contact :
03 54681380
0409173461
[e-mail]. Click here to see an article about the collection.

In Victoria at Buangor there is a collection of old and very old caravans owned by Kevin Wild Ph # 0408503914... phone before you go there.

Museum Victoria apparently has a 1957 “Skyline” caravan on display.
museumvictoria.com.au/treasures/colldetails.aspx?pid=54

The Lockington Heritage complex in Victoria has a 1939 pop-top caravan on display.
www.lockingtonvic.com.au

Camp's motor museum 226 Coleraine Rd. Hamilton Vic. Phone [phone] or 0419168400 .. Larger than a teardrop, home made 1950s but they do have about 80 cars on display also.
www.visitsoutherngrampians.com.au/campes-motor-museum

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

In South Australia there is the "National Motor Museum" at Birdwood... mostly cars but they do have a couple of caravans.
www.history.sa.gov.au/motor/motor.htm

In South Australia at Hahndorf the painter Hans Heysen's 1932 caravan (actually a camper trailer) is apparently on display at his house "The Cedars":
www.hansheysen.com.au

At Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley at the “Barossa Valley Tourist Park” you can inspect one of the “Motor Homes” built by “Pop” Kaesler in the late 1920s.... and you can buy a post card featuring the motor home

At Goolwa 'The National Trust' of South Australia have a museum containing the first of 'Pop' Kaesler's caravans, built in 1929 it was bought by the Mayor of Goolwa later that year when Pop & family visited the town while touring.
The Museums web site is HERE.   Advisable to contact them before travelling there to visit.

The second 'Pop' Kaesler van built during 1930/31 is on display at The Barossa Valley Tourist Park

( Often some speculation as to when each of these vans was built I have relied on This document ) 


NEW SOUTH WALES

In New South Wales at Tocumwal there is “Crystie's Museum” which is a collection of all sorts of farm equipment including some very interesting caravans. Ph # 0358743358. See some photos on page two of this thread.

Also in NSW is the “Australian Motor Life Museum” at Kembla Grange (near Wollongong). It is mainly a motor museum supported by the NRMA... but it does have a couple of caravans.  www.australianmotorlifemuseum.com


The Powerhouse museum in Sydney has a propert caravan and a home made caravan on display.
www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/search_tags.php?tag=caravans

Don't miss the “Harry's Cafe De-Wheels” and the Gypsie caravan they have on display at their Castle Hill “Powerhouse discovery centre”
www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=46876&search=caravans&images=&c=&s=

AT Deniliquin.
THE DEPOT HISTORIC COLLECTION
158 Hardinge Street
Deniliquin NSW 2710
Phone: [phone]
www.depotdeni.com.au. (Click on the 'about us tag' 😉)

In New South Wales at Coffs Harbor, Watsons Caravans has a Propert with an unusual lift up roof section on display.

Mulwala pioneer museum at Yarrawonga.
www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au/companies/608/44/Pioneer-Museum.html.

Inverell there is the www.nationaltransportmuseum.com.au/index.php “NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM with one vintage caravan on display ( home made I think)

Corrimal near Woollongong. A Vintage Caravan and memrobilla specific Museum.
You need to book to arrange an inspection..Ph: 0408 671770

At forbes you can visit [/b][/a] McFeeters Motor Museum that does have a caravan..... but if you don't think you will ever get there you can see some of it HERE (Thanks Max )

Lockhart N.S.W. Greens Gunyah Museum..... (The town is Heritage listed)
greens gunyar museum

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

At Wagin :
The Wagin Caravan Museum.
Started by one of our forums long time members 'Nobelsgarage' together with a few friends. At the moment it is open by appointment only so ring Brian on 0408090962 before turning up at the 'Wagin Woolorama Showgrounds' where the museum is located. Read a bit about it HERE



ACT.

The “Australian National Museum” in Canberra has a couple of caravans on display.
www.nma.gov.au/index.html

There is a good inter-active game you (or the kids) can play if you click HERE



TASMANIA

In Tasmania the "Queen Victoria Museum" at Inveresk has a 1930s caravan that was built in Tasmania, see some photos of the van lower down on this page.
www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/

QUEENSLAND

The Queensland Auto Museum @ 67 Erbacher Rd Hampton has a 1948 “Holiday Home” caravan that was restored by our very own Mark T.
www.australianmotorlifemuseum.com/

There are others scattered around OZ and I invite anybody who has first hand knowledge of them to mention them on this thread and I will add them to the above list.

Cobber. [/b][/b][/quote]

[kenny]

Hi Cobber,

Queensland Update:

* Auto Museum @ 67 Erbacher Rd Hampton ceased to exist in 2017.



However another 'museum' has popped up near Bundaberg:


* www.searlesrvcentre.com.au/australian-caravan-museum/ and:

* www.youtube.com/watch?v=erqPcJBOfXo

[cobber]

G’day Kenny,

Thanks for the update regarding caravan museums in Queensland.

Shame the Hampton one has closed it was apparently highly recommended, it still has a Facebook site  with lots of good photos.

I hope SEARLS at BUNDABERG goes from strength to strength.

Cobber.

[kenny]

Agree!

Cobber, don't forget the WA update I provided just above the Qld post re York WA. (The VW in the background is the oldest VW in Australia. One day I caught the earliest flight from Brisbane to Perth, hopped in a rental car and drove to York. I made it just in time before closing)!

[cobber]

Yeah, thanks again Kenny I hadn’t noticed that post ☹️  The York Museum has been a must go to Museum for such a long time.

Cobber.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Cobber,

One more for your Caravan Museum directory. The Queensland Museum includes a home built caravan constructed by Duncan (Len) Macpherson in about 1945: blog.qm.qld.gov.au/2021/05/26/caravanning-in-queensland/

It is quite interesting to note that although the caravan was built post-War, it is definitely a pre-War design.

The commentary on the Macpherson van, written by Jeff Powell in 2021, states: "Caravans were not completely unknown in the late 1930s, but were generally considered an American phenomenon, yet to have much impact in Depression era Australia." In fact there was a thriving caravan industry in Australia prior to World War II, but it seems most people are unaware of what was happening, including in Queensland!

Don Ricardo

[Don Ricardo]

Dec 21, 2011 8:43:12 GMT 10 cobber said:

G'day Frances,

Thanks for letting us know about The Shepparton Motor Museum..... Sorry for the slow responce
It opened on the 18th December 2011 and they are having their official opening in February 2012, according to their new web site.

I have contacted them and they tell me they don't have a vintage caravan yet... but it is on their list of "things to do".

Looks like a good spot to visit...... have a look at their web site and Facebook page, HERE and HERE.

Cobber.

Hi Cobber,

This museum is now known as the 'Museum of Vehicle Evolution - MOVE'. It's website is: www.moveshepparton.com.au/

Don Ricardo

[cobber]

Thank you Don R for letting us know about those two museums.
I have added the Queensland one to the list and drawn attention to their excellent web site.

I have not included the Shepparton Museum in the list as I don’t think they ever achieved their ambition to get a vintage caravan in the collection, if anybody knows different let me know 😉
 
As mentioned at the introduction to this thread, Before making a trip to any one of these museums if your main interest in doing so is to see a vintage caravan contact the museum first to confirm that they have one, museums and their collections tend to come & go, I have just heard The Holden Museum in Echuca is about to close down 😢

Cobber.