Ford Discovery Centre to close its doors

The Ford museum was opened in April 1999 as part of a joint partnership between Ford Motor Company of Australia and Deakin University.

The two-level museum offers patrons an insight into the design and manufacturing process undertaken to create a modern vehicle, along with active displays of robots and a cross section of Ford models.

Despite the site's reputation and Ford's deep-seeded history with Geelong, the Ford Discovery Centre's recent announcement states ever-changing needs in the museum industry as the reason for its closure.

"For 13 years, the Centre has provided an outstanding education experience to more than 250,000 visitors, the Geelong community and those interested in automotive engineering and manufacturing. However a recent review, combined with ever-changing needs in the museum industry, has shown that the Centre cannot continue to evolve and expand in its current form."

Ford has made no announcement regarding plans for further exhibitions or showcases of its history once the Centre is closed.

Needless to say, if you have never visited the Ford Discovery Centre, it's worth crossing off the bucket list before the Centre winds up on July 29th, 2012.