While at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, we took the time to visit the annual Heritage Truck Show at Rocklea Showgrounds to take in some of the Aussie classic trucking scene.

After finding alternative accommodation last year due to flooding at the ground, the Heritage Truck Association of Australia’s (HTTA) Heritage Truck Show returned to the Rocklea Showgrounds in May. More than 245 trucks, as well as tractors and cars made the journey from around the country to feature at the show.

This year’s event included a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the manufacture of Mack Trucks in Australia. A group of iconic Bulldogs from each decade since the brand launched lined up to greet visitors as they entered the showgrounds. Mack itself took the opportunity to showcase three models, two of them special editions: a 2000 Trident Centennial, which celebrated Mack Trucks Inc.’s 100 years of manufacturing, and a 2013 Southern Cross Titan, which celebrated 50 years of manufacturing in Australia.

The Mack display also attracted more than 105 trucks, including some immaculately restored examples and others proudly wearing the signs of a dedicated working life since leaving the Wacol plant.

The 2023 show featured the Kenworth Legend SAR being offered as the first prize in the Holbrook Football Netball Club’s raffle. (The raffle runs until November – for details, visit winakenworth.com.au)

“It was an exceptional show. We were overwhelmed with the visitor attendance, not only from Australia but abroad, which is fantastic for us,” says Mark Plunkett, president of the HTTA.

The organisation boasts more than 500 members. The annual Heritage Truck Show, held on the third weekend of May, usually at Rocklea, is not held for prizes but rather as one big, yearly celebration of historic trucks. “We look forward to doing it all again next year,” says Mark.