Birdwood

So, the weather is a bit drab for the last day of summer. That doesn't mean you should cross the Adelaide Hills off your agenda for the day. There's still plenty to do without getting your feet wet!

Birdwood is 40km's northeast of Adelaide (just follow North East Rd out of the city, through Tea Tree Gully and up through Chain of Ponds). Formerly known as Blumberg, the name of the town was anglicised in 1917 due to anti-German sentiment as a result of World War 1. Unlike other towns such as Lobethal and Hahndorf which reverted to their original Germanic names at the end of hostilities, the name Birdwood remained.

Birdwood is home to the National Motor Museum, housed in the old Birdwood Mill. Here you will find the nations most comprehensive collection of motoring history in Australia. Ranging from permanent displays of cars, trucks and motrbikes, to various interactive displays and exhibitions.

Opening in 1965 the centre is not only a museum but a place of preservation and an important education tool for the young. The Holden Pavilion of Australian Motoring offers 3700 square metres of some of Australia’s most important motoring icons including a 45 metre long road train as well as some very impressive fire engines and commercial vehicles.

The museum hosts the famous Bay to Birdwood run every year (in October - for all vintage vehicles), as well as the Rock N Roll rendezvous in April (for 1950 onward vehicles).

The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

While in Birdwood check out the Top of the Torrens Gallery, which promotes and displays the work, in mixed mediums, of Adelaide Hills artists. The Gallery Shop offers an extensive range of well made individually hand crafted items suitable for gifts and souvenirs. The Gallery has regular exhibitions throughout the year covering a diverse range of works, both in two and three dimensions.