Destination's Journey

Category: Vehicles

  • Our Town Model Show Newcastle 2019

    Our Town Model Show Newcastle 2019

    Our Town Model Show

    An annual event held at the Newcastle Jockey Club, Our Town Model Show  caters for a wide range of hobbies from model trains and planes to doll houses and boats. Anyone interested in models making or collecting will enjoy this event, because everyone who attends is passionate about their hobby.

    Model Trains

    There was a great display of trains running with amazingly well detailed dioramas. The effort that went into constructing them was outstanding, making it just as interesting as the trains were.

    • Railway Model
      Railway Model
    • Railway Model
      Diorama Railway Model
    • Railway Model
      Railway Model

    Model Ships

    The model boat displays were truly awesome. On static display was a range of 72 scale destroyers and other ships by Task Force 72. At around 2 m long, these huge models are amazingly detailed replicas of the original ship.

    There was an indoor pond displaying remote controlled boats, which we found extremely interesting, because of the variety and detail of the ships. Many of them were zooming around, especially the tugboats which were very manoeuvrable. At 1:100 scale, these models show the dedication their owners give to their hobby to produce such great replicas.

    • HMAS Hobart by Task Force 72
      HMAS Hobart by Task Force 72
    • Indoor Pool and Remote Controlled Ships
      Indoor Pool and Remote Controlled Ships
    • HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
      HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
    • A Ship on the Inside Pool
      A Ship on the Inside Pool

    Model Aircraft

    Model aircraft were present in a huge array covering all eras of flight and different scales. There was a huge display showing the skills of the model builders.

    Scale Model Aircraft Display at Our Town Model Fair
    Scale Model Aircraft Display
    • Large Remote Controlled Tiger Tank
      Large Remote Controlled Tiger Tank

    Science Fiction Models

    Science fiction models from Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Gundam were on display, making an interesting alternative to the “real world” models elsewhere at the Our Town Model Show.

    • Gundam Models at the Our Town Model Fair Newcastle
      Gundam Models

    Die Cast Models

    An extensive display of Corgi and other brands of cars, buses and machinery catered for collectors of die-cast models.

    • Corgi Bus Display at Our Town Model Fair Newcastle
      Corgi Bus Display
    • Cars Models at Town Model Fair Newcastle
      Cars Models

    Hobby Supplies For Sale

    For anyone interested in adding to their hobby Frontline Hobbies had a huge stall with models for sale, which was great if inspiration struck you to build something as you walked around the displays.

    A second had stall selling deceased estates was doing a good trade in model kits for anyone looking for some older models at a cheaper price.

    Tools and accessories were available from Tinkering Tools, who had a large
    range of high-quality products for sale.

    If you got hungry, the NJC has its cafe operating and coffee snacks and meals were available

    Parking was excellent on site and free, which was great and the walking distance to the fair was very short.

    The entry fee of $10 each was good value for a few hours of entertainment and profits were donated to Benwerrin Rural Fire Service, so a good cause was supported too.

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Sydney Bus Museum

    Sydney Bus Museum

    Sydney Bus Museum

    About The Museum

    The Sydney Bus Museum is a not-for-profit organisation first established in 1986 at Tempe, and now permanently based within the Old Tramshed at Leichhardt in Sydney’s inner-west.

    It is a working museum made up of over 250 members who together help to preserve a rare, and invaluable collection of historic buses dating from the 1920s to 1980s.

    How to Get to the Sydney Bus Museum

    We caught the light rail from Central Station getting off at North Leichhardt. From here it’s a short walk to the Museum. As you walk along City West Link Road you will see gaps in the noise reduction barriers. Take the second of these into the roads behind and you will find the museum 100m up the road

    The Museum’s Collection

    The Sydney Bus Museum’s collection consists of over 70 vehicles ranging from primitive 1920s type buses, through to 1940s and 50s Leyland’s and AEC’s as well as the more modern 1980s Mercedes-Benz city buses. The Museum also houses Australia’s largest collection of historic double deckers, including those from Sydney, Adelaide and London.

    The museum’s collection is impressive and they are well laid out in the old workshop building. Many are open for inspection and you are able to enter them although usually only in the passenger areas not the driver’s position . This is great as you get to experience what it was like to ride inside the busses.

    • Canberra AEC Regal III 60160 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Canberra AEC Regal III 60160
    • AEC Roadmaster 1708 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      AEC Roadmaster 1708
    • Albion Venturer CX19W 1892 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Albion Venturer CX19W 1892
    • Bedford 100 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Bedford 100
    • Dennis Lancet II 1492 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Dennis Lancet II 1492
    • Leyland OPS2 2599 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Leyland OPS2 2599
    • AEC REGENT- 1694 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      AEC REGENT- 1694
    • Albion Venturer Type 80 1187 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Albion Venturer Type 80 1187
    • Leyland OPS2 2599 Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Leyland OPS2 2599
    • Sydney Bus Museum Australia
      Pioneer Coaches AEC Reliance 634

    There is an excellent gift shop selling bus related souvenirs as well as cold drinks.

    Bus Trips

    On open days the museum runs one of its busses into Sydney. The price of the trip is included with the entrance ticket. An excellent experience for anyone interested in old busses or wants to try something different.

    For a photo gallery showing more of the museum’s collection, click here.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

    For other interesting places to visit in Sydney, please read some of our other stories.

  • Bathurst

    Bathurst

    Bathurst New South Wales

    We drove to Bathurst New South Wales from Lithgow, after visiting the Abercrombie Caves The main reason for our visit was to see the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama. While in the town, we took the opportunity to look around and experience what the town had to offer.

    We stayed at the Quality Hotel Bathurst, which was clean and comfortable, with friendly staff.  Breakfast was including with our stay and was delicious and filling. For dinner, we went to the Bathurst RSL, where we had a great meal at a good price.

    Abercrombie House

    Abercrombie House located on the outskirts of Bathurst gives the visitor an insight into the life of the rich. Open to the public, to help fund its upkeep, cost of the interior is accessible. Ample parking is available on the grounds in front of the house.

    The father of the current owner spent time in China and the decorations reflect this. We were fortunate that the owner was there during our visit, and he spoke about the origin of some of the decorations and furniture on display.

    You are free to wander around the house, but are asked not to enter closed doors or pass through roped off areas.

    The exterior of the house and surrounding garden make an interesting addition to the building A  collection of old cars rusting in one field and an old blacksmith’s barn being worth seeing.  Went beyond our expectations.

    • Abercrombie House Bathurst NSW Australia
      Abercrombie House

    Chifley Home

    This house was the residence of Ben Chifley and his wife Elizabeth from 1914 until his death in 1951 and hers in 1962. The house has been maintained as a museum since 1973 as a memorial to the late Prime Minister and his family.

    Interesting from an historical point of view, we only looked at the outside, but guided tours are available at limited days and times if you are interested.

    • Chifley Home Bathurst NSW Australia
      Chifley Home

    Court House

    This heritage listed court house on Russel Street is a very impressive building designed by James Barnet. Opened in 1880, and still in use it can be best viewed from across Russel Street in Kings Parade where the whole facade can be seen. Next door is the Conservatory of Music, so we heard classical music while we looked at the court house!

    • Bathurst Court House NSW Australia
      Bathurst Court House

    George Evans Expedition Statue

    Located at the George Street end of Kings Parade, this large monument commemorates George Evans, the first European to survey the area. In addition, the local aboriginal people who assisted him in his journey are also commemorated.

    This is a large and impressive monument and celebrates the founding of Australia’s first large inland town.

    • George Evans Expedition Statue Bathurst NSW Australia
      George Evans Expedition Statue

    Machattie Park

    We parked here for a walk through the city centre and relaxed under the shady trees while we had lunch. There are some lovely trees and plenty of places to sit in the shade and relax. Very popular with both tourists and locals.  Great place to visit and relax.

    • Fountain in Machattie Park Bathurst NSW Australia
      Fountain in Machattie Park

    National Motor Racing Museum

    The National Motor Racing Museum is probably the largest draw card for Bathurst, outside of the main race held there annually. The collection of racing cars and bikes is impressive and any motor sports fan could spend hours here.

    The range of racing cars is extensive and includes utes, touring cars, F1, rally and even a solar powered car. The Bathurst 1000 has a section to itself, with Ford on one side and Holden on the other.  The other makes are also present, with Jaguar and others represented.

    There is a small section with the busts of famous winners and a history of the race.

    There is also an impressive collection of motorbikes and rally cars and a good selection of old open wheel racers.

    Many of the exhibits are loan and rotated regularly, so it’s worth checking if there is a particular vehicle you want to see. 

    • Peter Brock Memorial National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Peter Brock Memorial
    • Holden VU/VY Commodore National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Holden VU/VY Commodore
    • Commodore VR National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Commodore VR
    • Holden VY Commodore National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Holden VY Commodore
    • 1984 Holden Commodore VK National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1984 Holden Commodore VK
    • Jaguar XJ-S National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Jaguar XJ-S
    • 1951 George Reed Special National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1951 George Reed Special
    • 1963 Ford Cortina GT National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1963 Ford Cortina GT
    • Motor Bike Collection 1984 Holden Commodore VK National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Motor Bike Collection
    • National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      National Motor Racing Museum
    • Rally Car 1984 Holden Commodore VK National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      Rally Car
    • 1988 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500 National Motor Racing Museum Bathurst New South Wales
      1988 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500

    Railway Station

    The railway station is a beautiful old building not far from the Chifley Home. Parking is easy because it has its own huge car park. Outside the station building is a preserved steam train, locomotive 5112.  Nice to be able to get up close and have a really good lock at this huge train.

    • Locomotive 5112 Bathurst Railway Station Bathurst NSW Australai
      Locomotive 5112

    South African War Memorial

    The Boer War memorial stands at the southern end of Kings Parade, not far from the Carillon.

    • Boer War Memorial Bathurst NSW Australia
      Boer War Memorial

    St Stanislavsky College

    The towers of this college are visible from many places in Bathurst, so we drove over to see it close up. An interesting building to look at, but we simply took a photo and moved on.

    • St Stanislavsky College Bathurst NSW Australia
      St Stanislavsky College

    Uniting Church

    We saw this old church from Machattie Park, so spent a few minutes checking it out and took a picture.

    • Bathurst Uniting Church NSW Australia
      Bathurst Uniting Church

    War Memorial Carillon

    The Bathurst War Memorial Carillon is a 30.5 metre tall tower structure located in the centre of Kings Parade, in the centre of Bathurst’s CBD. A memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars, the 35 cast bronze bells are rung daily at lunchtime. The picture really does not do it justice, it does look great, and you can have a close look from the outside to the inside.  Definitely worth a look. 

    • Corellen Bathurst NSW Australla
      Corellen

    What Did We Think of Bathurst?

    So, if you are visiting Bathurst New South Wales for a race meeting, or the National Motor Racing Museum, spend some time in town. There is a lot to see and do.

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.