Waves and Wheels Exhibition

In the late 1950s and early 1960s surfing became part of a youth movement that swept the world, as music, fashion and language became centered around the beach. Surf adventure became a central part of the surfing experience as surfers and their friends started exploring the Australian coast in wagons, vans and other surfmobiles in search of fun times and perfect waves.

Car companies released surfing themed models , Sandman, Sundowner and Drifter panel vans were soon hitting the road, featuring over the top graphics and advertising that made real surfers cringe. For many surfers van life was reality, greeted by a wide open road, very few rules, and new horizons around every corner .

Surfers invented skateboards (miniature wheeled surfboards) to maintain their stoke on flat days, invading footpaths, roadways and carparks to go sidewalk surfing . The skateboard influence found its way back to the beach, with modern surfers adapting skateboard moves into their surfing repertoire.

Through the Waves & Wheels exhibition we are celebrating the relationship between surfers and their cars from the 1950s through to the 1980s. Featuring vintage surf photographs, interactive panel van experience, historic surf film footage, model cars, skateboards, roof racks and Great Ocean Road game visitors can immerse themselves in the surfing road trip and experience surfing’s epic sense of adventure.