100th anniversary of first crossing of Australia by motor car

100th anniversary of first crossing of Australia by motor car

On 30 June 1908, Harry Dutton and Murray Aunger left Adelaide to travel to Darwin in a 25hp Talbot. This was the first crossing of the Australian continent by motor vehicle, at a time when there were no roads or service stations along the way! In fact, the Talbot was the first self propelled vehicle ever seen by many people in remote regions.

This very same car is the centrepiece of the Off the Beaten Track: A Journey Across the Nation travelling exhibition, presented by the National Motor Museum.

The exhibition explores the centenary of this momentous event and its legacy, and will cover the original route as closely as possible.

This crossing was important not just because it was an incredibly courageous thing to do, but more particularly because it proved that even Australia's harsh terrain could be made accessible by the motor car - and thus it heralded great changes for the outback.

The travelling exhibition will tour from 30 June - 20 August 2008 and will be contained within a purpose-built trailer. The exhibition explores the dramatic original journey undertaken by Dutton and Aunger.

The public is invited to share in this celebration by visiting the exhibition en route from Adelaide to Darwin over the fifty-two day period. The exhibition will be officially welcomed at Alice Springs and later in Darwin, on 20 August.