Trafalgar Holden Museum

The Trafalgar Holden Museum fills a restored butter factory in West Gippsland, east of Melbourne on the Princes Highway. Local businessman Neil Joiner bought the abandoned factory after retiring in 2007 and opened the museum in 2014; since the Neil Joiner Holden Heritage Centre opened in June 2025, the volunteer-run museum holds 150 to 200 Holdens across more than 4,000 square metres of interconnected showrooms.

What sets it apart is scope. Holden existed for 70 years before it built a car under its own name, and this museum tells all of it: 1890s saddlery and buggy building, Holden-bodied Buicks, wartime armaments, Frigidaire appliances, then the cars themselves from the first 48-215 to the final ZB Commodore. General Motors has loaned 27 of its Australian heritage vehicles, including Holden Design Studio concept cars, and a Garry Rogers Motorsport tribute holds GRM race Holdens from the 2021 Bathurst 1000 and 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour.

Add a fully restored Holden-built Melbourne tram, a Gypsy Major aero engine and a patrol boat, and two hours disappear quickly. Founder Neil Joiner died in 2024; the new centre carries his name and his obsession forward.

• 150 to 200 Holdens across more than 4,000 square metres of showrooms in a restored butter factory, expanded with the Neil Joiner Holden Heritage Centre in June 2025.
• The full Holden arc: 1890s saddlery and buggies, Holden-bodied Buicks, WW2 armaments, Frigidaire appliances, then the first 48-215 through to the final ZB Commodore.
• 27 GM-loaned Australian heritage vehicles including Holden Design Studio concept cars and a Bumblebee Camaro (loan displays can change).
• Garry Rogers Motorsport tribute with GRM Holdens from the 2021 Bathurst 1000 and the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour.
• Oddities that make the place: a fully restored Holden-built Melbourne tram, a Gypsy Major aero engine and a Holden-built patrol boat.
• A heritage building recreating the company's pre-1900 era, plus the Bendigo Community Bank theatre screening Holden history.
• Kids Corner with interactive displays and a find-and-seek activity; gift shop and cafe for a cuppa.
• Volunteer guides who know the collection inside out; group bookings welcome.

• Open every day except Christmas Day: 10am to 4pm, extending to 5pm during daylight saving.
• Tickets: $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 children (under 5 free), $45 family.
• The old factory halls can be cold in winter; dress warmly.
• Easiest by car via the Princes Highway through Gippsland; Trafalgar also has a V/Line station on the Gippsland line from Melbourne.
• The annual Route 69 Cruise (69 km, marking 69 years of Holden manufacturing) runs Sunday 18 October 2026.
• Group bookings: (03) 5633 1684 or info@trafalgarholdenmuseum.com.au.

Last updated: 2 September 2026