As an addition to the other responses about the historical side you can currently still ship your car in/out of Australia today you'll just have to do it as car

As an addition to the other responses about the historical side you can currently still ship your car in/out of Australia today you'll just have to do it as cargo instead of a single passenger ferry which also carries your car too. I know a guy that did that with his car to Europe for ~8 months, just make sure you plan well in advanced or you'll be waiting 2-3 months on that leg :).