Where the past
is present.
So much more than tractors.
Wander a whole recreated street, two homes furnished to the year, and rooms of gowns and everyday things, and find yourself recognising pieces of your own childhood along the way.
“You came for the machinery.
You'll remember everything else.”
Most people picture a shed of old tractors. What they find is a whole town of the everyday: a street of shops, two family homes furnished room by room, and rooms of gowns, household pieces and the things you grew up with. You wander, you point, you remember. That is the surprise, and it is the whole point.
Be surprised by the range
Six collections across more than thirty rooms and sheds, and about two hours if you want to do it properly.
The clothing collection
Wedding dresses, ball gowns and period clothing, much of it local, in museum-quality glass cases.
The street of shops
Grocer, butcher, Post Office, saddlery, book shop and hardware, lined up along a veranda street.
The 1920s & 1940s homes
Two family homes, furnished room by room right down to the crockery on the table.
Household & everyday
Appliances, sewing machines, tools and the ordinary objects of an everyday Wimmera life.
Collectables & curios
Tins, bottles, toys, books and the small things families kept and quietly handed down.
92 tractors & machinery
The sheds out the back, for the ones who did come for exactly this. Saved for last on purpose.
From one family's
farm shed.
It began as a family collection on the farm at Rupanyup South, kept by brothers John and Michael Woods and built on what the generations before them had already saved. It outgrew every shed it was given, until the only sensible thing left was to build it a home of its own. The museum reopened in purpose-built facilities in 2007, arranged around a recreated street of shops, and it has kept growing ever since.
It is run by volunteers, and visitors mention it in almost every review: the welcome, the cuppa, and the people who clearly know and love every display.
Come and be surprised
The whole museum is on one level and easy to get around.
What visitors say
Google · Tripadvisor · Facebook“Like stepping into a living time capsule, packed with history and heart.”
“You don't have to love tractors. Be bothered to see this one, it's astounding.”
“Much more interesting than the name suggests, a replica country street and all.”
“The largest museum I've seen in a regional area. The cuppa and bickie is a lovely feature.”
“Way more than just farm machinery. The clothing room is first class, even for a man.”
“An awesome glimpse into life gone by. The staff fed and watered us kindly.”
“Best museum of rural life ever. A veritable treasure trove of the past.”
“Absolutely extraordinary. Do not drive past, this is a must-stop visit.”