Hamilton Pastoral Museum

The Hamilton Pastoral Museum is a unique attraction in Hamilton, and one of many must-visit destinations for anyone who is fascinated by local history. The museum was founded in 1968 when a group of enthusiasts found a place where they would collect artefacts for posterity sake.

Over the years, the museum has collected memorabilia, equipment and even buildings. This has allowed the museum to expand its collection from its initial location to the now more expansive two locations conveniently located in town.

The two complexes not only showcase various collections, they also capture the evolution of farming technology over the years. Some of the sheds have horse drawn carriages on display, old stationary engines as well as an extensive collection of tractors.

The wool industry is well represented with displays of herders and sheep. Other industries represented include fashion, household industry and bootmaking. There are also excellent displays made possible by the Hamilton Wood Turners as well as a Model Train Group.

Interestingly, there are a number of historic buildings at the museum including the iconic St. Luke’s Church, the Drik Drik Post Office as well as the Myaring Woolshed. The Warrayure School Rotunda is also worth checking out, as is the Byaduk Automatic Exchange. If you are keen on how the systems in those years used to work, then do not end your visit without passing by the Coleraine Lock-Up and Old Penshurst Police Station.

The Hamilton Pastoral Museum also hosts events throughout the year including the Harvest/Open Weekend in January where you can view machinery and equipment in action, Another Rally is held in the third weekend in May each year and is a major fundraiser for the museum with working displays, demonstrations and open access to the historic buildings. Another similar event is held on the third weekend in October each year.