Junee abuzz as century-old cars take over town streets

THE past rolled into Junee on Tuesday, as a stream of some of Australia’s oldest and rarest motor vehicles transformed the town’s streets into a moving time capsule.

Dozens of meticulously restored vehicles dating back to the early 1900s began arriving shortly after 11am on April 21 as part of the 2026 Veteran and Vintage Car Club of Australia’s National 1 and 2 Cylinder Rally.

After departing Temora Airfield Tourist Park, participants travelled scenic back roads to Dirnaseer Hall before continuing on to Junee.

As the vehicles filtered into town in a steady procession that stretched for an hour, their distinctive sounds, from puttering engines to mechanical rattles, drew residents from homes and businesses, with many lining the streets to catch a glimpse.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Under clear blue skies, the arrival delivered a rare spectacle, as machines, some hand-cranked, belt-driven and producing just a handful of horsepower, crept through town at a pace reminiscent of another era.

“Just when you thought they were all gone, another one would come around the corner,” one grandmother said as she watched on with her granddaughter.

The procession made its way to the Junee Roundhouse Museum, where the historic vehicles gathered against a backdrop synonymous with the town’s transport heritage.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

But the spectacle did not end there.

After visiting the Roundhouse, participants fanned out across Junee, taking time to explore the town at their own pace, cruising heritage streets, stopping in parks and gardens, visiting cafés and shops, and refuelling at local service stations.

Many parked outside iconic buildings, including the historic Junee Hotel and the Athenium Theatre, creating striking scenes that blended more than a century of history into a single frame.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The constant movement of vehicles created a unique buzz across town, as the rally effectively took over Junee’s streetscapes.

The event is one of the most specialised on the national motoring calendar, restricted to vehicles powered by just one or two cylinders, some of the earliest forms of motorised transport ever built.

Unlike modern car shows, the focus is not on static display, but on keeping these machines running and, importantly, driving across real roads, often covering significant distances despite their limited speed and mechanical simplicity.

Temora was selected as the host town for this year’s event, with its flat surrounding roads and strong regional character providing ideal touring conditions.

Excluding the Northern Territory, the rally attracted more than 100 expressions from every state and territory, including Tasmania.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

For Junee, being included on the rally’s route was no small feat.

The town’s historic streetscape, deep transport and rail heritage, and central Riverina location made it an ideal stop for organisers seeking both practicality and character.

As the final vehicles cleared town just after midday, the echoes of early motoring faded, but not before leaving a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.

For a few hours, Junee did not just reflect on history. It lived it.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The week-long event has already taken in Barmedman and Ariah Park, with Junee forming part of Tuesday’s touring run.

Following a rest day at the Temora Aviation Museum on Wednesday, participants will continue to Coolamon on Thursday, travelling via back roads and stopping at Bectric Hall along the way.

The public will have another opportunity to view the vehicles at Lake Centenary in Temora on Friday morning, before the rally heads to Springdale and concludes with a celebration dinner at the Temora Ex-Services Memorial Club.