First Cars to Walhalla
In June 1908, Dr Hagenauer and his party of friends drove the 50 miles from Sale to Walhalla in just over 5 hours. The three cars featured in the photographs were the first to visit the mountain gold town. Until 1908, Walhalla had been only accessible by pack horse or bullock wagon, the railway arrived 2 years later in 1910. Therefore the efforts of Dr Hagenauer hold a special place in history. The motor car was the first mechanised form of transport to Walhalla, unlike most other towns where the railways beat the motor car by decades. Their drive to Walhalla was an amazing feat when you consider the state of the roads in this area back in 1908.
On 28 & 29 June 2008 the Walhalla Centenary Car Rally will take place to celebrate this motoring milestone. For more information please visit www.walhallarally2008.info