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Small Arms Factory Lithgow

Rifle Display in Semi Circular Outlay Small Arms Factory Lithgow

The Small Arms Factory in Lithgow is a reminder of Australia’s industrial past when the country was self reliant and able to produce its small armaments. Now disused the factory is merely an empty shell, although Thales still operate part of the site. However the old administration building is now a museum displaying items once manufactured there. In addition it displays over 800 handguns in the Hayes Gallery, which is one of the best in the country, housing some rare and unique items.

Parking

Parking is off street in the old employee car park, which provides plenty of space. Entry is via the main doors back on the street, just follow the signs. Once inside, pay the entrance fee to the attendant who will then give you a brief overview of the museum.

The Small Arms Factory Displays

The first room displays some of the non military items manufactured when the demand for guns was low. These ranged from sewing machines, sheep shearing handsets and hand cuffs to medical implants . This leads into some of the larger projects including track shoes for the Leopard tank and M113.

The second floor houses the gun collection with contains a comprehensive display of machine guns, rifles and handguns. Several uniquely Australian items are on display including prototypes and pre-production guns.

The exit through the gift shop, where there is an opportunity to purchase die cast guns, mugs, beer coolers and other souvenirs.

What Did We Think?

Whilst small, it is certainly a great piece of Australian military and industrial history worth seeing when in Lithgow. Another part of Lithgow military heritage is at the Bowenfels gun emplacements which were built to defend the Small Arms Factory.

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

Justice and Police Museum

De Gracy Mug Shot Justice and Police Museum Sydney

Justice and Police Museum

Located opposite the eastern end of Circular Quay the Justice and Police Museum is very easy to get to. Outside there are silhouettes of criminals, which look fantastic, and a great photo opportunity.  Unfortunately the museum is only open on weekends, so if you want to visit, keep this in mind. The building consists of the old water police office and courtroom, the old police watch house, holding cells and their old courtroom.

The museum would be worth visiting just for the buildings themselves as the courtroom was designed by James Barnet. The courtroom still has the prisoners’ dock present and the watch house has the front desk and interrogation dock present.

The old holding cells have displays of old mug shots showing how they evolved with time. Some notorious criminals have their crimes and mugshots on the walls (the criminals in the 20’s got to pose how they wanted ……. just a small bit of knowledge learnt on the day) along with a display of weaponry, both police and criminal.

The volunteers present were fantastic and made our visit memorable. They gave us a better insight into the operation of the building, took fingerprints and explained the operation of the station and treatment of the criminals.

A great place to visit, see some mug shots, read some criminal history, see some cells and courtrooms all in an hour. This is a little museum, but very well set up and interesting! Would definitely visit her again.

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

Australian Motorlife Museum Wollongong

Rugby 1924 car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com

The Australian Motorlife Museum is in Kembla Grange near Wollongong. It is a member based organisation, dedicated to the preservation of motoring history in all forms. It is sponsored by the NRMA.

We arrived late in the afternoon and found the staff were all extremely friendly and helpful and went out of their way to explain the history of the cars on display.

The cars at the Australian Motorlife Museum are all very high quality and immaculately maintained. The collection ranges from the early 1900s to the 1970s, with most coming from the earlier days of car manufacturing.

Rolls Royce (5) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Rolls Royce
Metz 22 car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Metz 22
Holden (1) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Holden
Austin 6-16 Burnham (1) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Austin 6-16 Burnham
Rover 9 25 1927 (1) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Rover 9 25 1927
Summit Roadster 1923 car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Summit Roadster 1923
Minerva 1913 (6) car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Minerva 1913

Whether you want to see a Model T Ford, a 1913 Minerva or a Zeta Sports you will find it here.

Zeta Sports 1954 (2) Car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Zeta Sports 1954 (2)

Among the car displays are a number of motorcycles also of high quality. 

Rudge (1) Motorcycle Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Rudge
Vincent Black Shadow 1934 motorcycle Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Vincent Black Shadow 1934
Douglas Motorcycle 1924 Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Douglas Motorcycle 1924
Rudge 1911 motorbike Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Rudge 1911

As well as motoring memorabilia they are a significant number of other items on display ranging from old telephones, record players and typewriters to tricycles. A fascinating collection worth a look at.

Telephone (1) Item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Telephone
Scales (3) Item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Scales
Record Player (3) Item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Record Player
Tricycle (8) Item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Tricycle
Pump (4) Item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Pump
Ediphone item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Ediphone
Gramophone item at Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Gramophone

If you are a car enthusiast or just have a passing interest in automobile history, as well as yesteryear memorabilia you will love this museum.

If you are an NRMA member there is a discount on the entry fee to the Australian Motorlife Museum.

For more of our photographs from the museum, click here.

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