One race car reason to visit Perth.

The Motor Museum of Western Australia in Whiteman Park puts a famous Formula 1 machine in front of you, then keeps going with over a hundred years of motoring and interactive family stops. I love that it mixes a headline car moment with serious browsing time, and it gives you two chances to get oriented on a guided tour.

I also love the sheer scale: you’ll find 200+ preserved cars and motorcycles and more than 15,000 scale models, including murals by Western Australian artists. One possible drawback: the museum does not allow touching exhibits, so if you’re bringing little kids who want to hands-on everything, you’ll need to help them keep to the rules.

If you like structure, join the live English guided tour at 11am or 2pm. If you like wandering, you can go at your own pace from 10am to 4pm, then drop in on activities when you’re ready.

Key Things I’d Focus On

• Daniel Ricciardo’s 2014 Red Bull RB10: a major F1 star car on public display
• 200+ cars and motorcycles: preserved vehicles from the late 1800s to today
• More than 15,000 scale models: the largest collection in the Southern Hemisphere
• Family hands-on fun: Scalextric racing plus interactive vehicle experiences
• Local murals: Western Australia’s motoring story told through public art

Getting Oriented at Whiteman Park (and Finding the Red Morris Minor)

Plan to arrive at the museum entrance in Whiteman Park and look for the team’s red Morris Minor. It sits at the entrance and even has a look that reminds you of Lightning McQueen, plus there’s a big sign with the Motor Museum of Western Australia logo.

This matters because the museum experience can be as guided or self-led as you want. If you’re aiming for the 11am or 2pm tour, getting your bearings early helps you relax instead of rushing.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 4pm and closed on Christmas Day. That wide window is handy if you’re traveling with kids or you’re combining this stop with other Whiteman Park plans.

Daniel Ricciardo’s 2014 Red Bull RB10: The Headliner You’ll Want to See First

The museum’s star attraction is Daniel Ricciardo’s 2014 Red Bull RB10. It’s described as the only winning Formula 1 race car on public display in Australia, and that fact alone makes it a meaningful stop even if you’re not a die-hard racer.

Here’s how I’d approach it: treat the RB10 like your “start here” anchor. Get your photos done, then let the rest of the collection build context—because the fun isn’t only seeing a trophy car. It’s how the museum shows motoring progress across eras, from early machines to modern vehicles.

If you’re visiting with someone who cares about motorsport history, start with the RB10. If you’re visiting with a family that mostly wants hands-on fun, you can still do the car quickly, then pivot to the interactive areas without losing momentum.

200+ Preserved Cars and Motorcycles from the Late 1800s to Today

One of the best parts of this ticket is that it doesn’t feel like a short exhibit. You’re set up to spend time with over 200 beautifully preserved cars and motorcycles, spanning from the late 1800s through to today.

That spread is useful because it gives you something to talk about while you walk. If you know cars, you can spot design changes across time. If you don’t, you can still enjoy how different the shapes, engines, and details feel from one era to the next.

A practical tip: pace yourself and pick a couple of “lanes” to focus on. Instead of trying to scan every single vehicle in one pass, choose a range—early cars, motorcycles, or a general “how things changed” theme. You’ll end up with more memorable comparisons, not just more looking.

The 15,000 Scale Model Collection (and Why It Can Take Longer Than You Expect)

Then there’s the museum’s scale model collection: more than 15,000 models, said to be the largest collection in Australia’s Southern Hemisphere. If you love miniatures, it’s a dream situation. If you’re more casual about models, it can still be a surprisingly good way to slow down and see fine details you’d miss at full size.

The key value here is what models do for your brain. A tiny replica forces you to notice proportions and shapes. As you move between car history and the real-size vehicles, you’ll start spotting design cues faster.

I’d also give yourself time for murals by local artists. They tie the collection to Western Australia’s motoring story, so the museum feels less like a warehouse of objects and more like a place with a point of view.

Hands-On Family Fun: Scalextric Racing and Sitting in Classic Machines

This is one of those museums where adults can enjoy the cars, but kids aren’t stuck waiting. The experience includes hands-on activities for families, including Scalextric racing and other interactive stops.

What makes this worth your time is that it’s not only a play area with generic toys. The museum also offers interactive experiences where you can sit in a 1973 Leyland Marina or a Honda Scooter and watch the engines roar to life.

That combination is a big deal for family value. Kids get a sensory moment, adults get a memorable photo, and everyone gets something different from the same stop.

If you’re going with children, I’d plan a rough rhythm:

• see one key display first (like the RB10),
• then switch to the interactive zone,
• then come back for more browsing.

It helps keep energy high without turning the day into a frantic sprint.

Guided Tours at 11am and 2pm vs. Exploring at Your Own Pace

You have two ways to do this museum: join the guided tour or explore independently. Guided tours run daily at 11am and 2pm with a live English tour guide.

If you want the fastest path to understanding what you’re looking at, choose a guided tour. The guide can help you connect the dots between eras, and that can make the self-guided roaming feel more meaningful.

If your group moves on its own schedule, the self-paced option works well too. You can enter, browse, and return to interactive areas when you’re ready. Just keep an eye on timing so you don’t miss the tour window if you do want it.

Either way, plan to spend real time inside. A museum with 200+ vehicles plus thousands of models is not a “quick look and go” type of place.

Price and Ticket Value: What $12 Buys You in Real Experience Time

At about $12 per person, this ticket is priced like an accessible day outing—especially given what’s included. Your ticket covers entry to the museum, access to the vehicles and motorcycles, the scale models, and the family interactive activities.

It also includes access to guided tours at 11am and 2pm. That’s a nice value add because it’s not an extra-ticket upgrade; you get the choice between structured context and flexible wandering.

Two practical cost notes:

• Food and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to plan that separately if you’re staying for a full visit.
• Transportation to and from the museum isn’t included either, so factor in your local travel time within Perth.

Overall, I think the value comes from variety. You’re paying for a mix of major car highlights, long browsing time, and hands-on moments for families—not just one theme.

What You Need to Know Before You Go (Rules, Comfort, and Best Fit)

The museum has clear rules, and it’s worth reading them before you arrive so you’re not caught mid-visit. Touching the exhibits is not allowed, and the museum also prohibits smoking indoors and vaping, plus alcohol and drugs.

Other restrictions include no weapons or sharp objects, no littering, no unaccompanied minors, and no nudity or bare feet. If you’re traveling with a group that includes younger kids, keep the “unaccompanied” rule in mind so plans don’t get derailed.

One note that’s easy to miss: it says it’s not suitable for people with a cold. If someone in your group is feeling unwell, you may want to reconsider timing.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is a strong plus for planning. If someone in your group uses mobility support, you can plan confidently since the museum explicitly states wheelchair accessibility.

Should You Book This Motor Museum Ticket?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a classic motorsport headline (Ricciardo’s RB10) plus a day you can shape around your group. It’s especially worth it for families because there are hands-on activities like Scalextric racing, and interactive vehicle moments such as sitting in the 1973 Leyland Marina or Honda Scooter.

I’d think twice if your group needs lots of touching or highly physical interaction—because the museum is strict about not touching exhibits. I’d also consider skipping if someone has a cold, since it’s marked as not suitable.

If your plan is to spend a few hours in a car-focused place around Perth, this fits well as a full-day outing. The ticket covers more than you might expect: big vehicles, massive scale-model depth, and local art connections that make it more than a simple display.

FAQ

What time are the guided tours?

Guided tours are available daily at 11am and 2pm.

Is the entry ticket valid for one day?

Yes. The ticket is valid for 1 day.

Where is the meeting point?

Look for the museum entrance featuring a red Morris Minor (it’s described as looking a little like Lightning McQueen) with a large sign and the Motor Museum of Western Australia logo.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The experience is wheelchair accessible.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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