Charlie's Auto Museum

Charlie's Auto Museum is what happens when a collector never stops. Charlie Schwerkolt senior, forklift magnate and co-founder of the Studebaker Club of Australia back in 1967, opened the museum on his 15 acre Arthurs Seat property in 1988, and the family has been filling it ever since. More than 80 vehicles are on display at any time, drawn from a collection that spans over a century of motoring.

The spread is gloriously eclectic: a 1914 Studebaker SC14 and a 1911 Studebaker horse-drawn buggy at one end, James Courtney's 2010 championship winning DJR Falcon at the other, with Cords, Jaguars, MGs, Holdens and a proper microcar corner of Messerschmitts, Goggomobils, Isettas, Reliant Robins and Bond Bugs in between. The Schwerkolt family also owns the Team 18 Supercars squad, so genuine race machinery sits among the classics. Around it all: petrol bowsers, number plates, signage, thousands of model cars and enough period ephemera to lose an afternoon in.

It sits 1.5 km below the Arthurs Seat summit, about an hour from Melbourne, on a tourist road that hosted hillclimbs as far back as the 1930s.

A big, character-filled private collection, more shed of treasures than polished gallery, and all the better for it.

Look out for:

• James Courtney's 2010 DJR Falcon, the actual championship winner, alongside other Supercars machinery with the family's Team 18 connection.

• The Studebaker story: a 1914 SC14, a 1911 horse-drawn buggy, and a rare US Mail Truck, the founder's pride.

• The microcar corner: Messerschmitt, Goggomobil, Isetta, Reliant Robin, Bond Bug.

• Charlie's first car, a 1954 Hudson Super Wasp.

• The memorabilia: petrol bowsers, enamel signs, license plates, thousands of model cars, vintage radios and cameras, even a player piano.

Allow 1 to 2 hours for the museum; longer if the memorabilia gets its hooks in. The grassed picnic area, playground and BBQ out front make it an easy half day with kids, and the Arthurs Seat summit lookout and Eagle gondola are minutes up the road.

• Call ahead. The museum is generally open 7 days, 10:30am to 4:30pm, but it is a family run operation and the official site itself says to phone and confirm before travelling: +61 419 887 801.

• Admission: listed rates are $15 adult, $8 child, $12 concession and $40 family, but the official site does not publish prices, so confirm on arrival.

• Getting there: you will want a car. It is on Purves Rd, about 1.5 km from the Arthurs Seat summit and an hour from Melbourne. Free on-site parking including bus spaces.

• Groups are welcome with advance notice; there is a 1950s themed meeting space and BBQ facilities, and group discounts apply for 10 or more.

• Refreshments run to tea, coffee, soft drinks and ice cream, so eat beforehand or bring a picnic.

• Gift shop with souvenirs and model cars.

• Wheelchair entrance, parking and restroom available.

• Displays rotate, and the collection is always changing.

Last updated: 1 September 2026