On the Road: Father and son unveil what could just be one of the Australia’s most unique collections

HUNDREDS of kilometres from the bright lights of the big city, a determined father and son have created an illuminated lure all of their own.

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HUNDREDS of kilometres from the bright lights of the big city, a determined father and son have created an illuminated lure all of their own.

Plugging directly into their gaming obsession, Simon and Lyndon Carter have unveiled what could just be one of the nation’s more unique collections.

The Australian Pinball Museum, plonked on the Western Highway halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, is now open for business. It is the largest public display of pinball machines anywhere in country.

From the gaming classics to the more complex and contemporary, pinball machines have long occupied their thoughts — and now take up most of the space in the two front rooms of the family-run motel at Nhill.

Simon and Lyndon Carter out the front of the Oasis Nhill Motel. Picture: Mark Stewart

They admit, the attraction is in the middle of nowhere, but say it hasn’t deterred eagle-eyed gamers.

"It’s a nostalgia trip in some ways," Mr Carter said. "A lot of fathers pull over to show their kids what they played when they were younger.

"It reminds people of their youth. And they can even play a few new ones."

The former science teacher ran a coin-operating business but began storing the machines as console gaming took off and the appeal of pinballs dimmed.

He also blamed the rise of pokies for killing off the "pinnies" but said the emergence of "man caves" was helping lead a resurgence.

Simon and Lyndon take in a game on two of their many machines Picture: Mark Stewart

“The are becoming popular again," Mr Carter said.

“Now everybody either wants their own pinball machine or at least to play them again."

Mr Carter said he had always been interested in electronics but its his son who had natural flair for computer engineering.

Opening the pinball centre was, they say, a natural progression. They currently display just 15 of their collection of 50 games but hope to squeeze a few more in.

Simon and Lyndon Carter have unveiled what could just be one of the nation’s more unique collections.

Undoubtedly worth thousands under the auctioneers hammer, Mr Carter said some of the more nostalgic clunkers would be priceless in the eyes of eager gamers.

“I love the game play and the art work," he said.

“The first one I had was a KISS and after that it just set me on a pathway into business and now this.

“It’s all in good fun and there isn’t quite enough of that around these days."

Follow reporter Aaron Langmaid and photographer Mark Stewart as they discover the people and places that make our state so great this summer. If you know a true blue local or a place we should visit email [e-mail]