Originally Posted by
horsepyre
Hi all,
I know we have some Kiwis in here, so let's hear from you! My family is taking a week-long vacation to New Zealand in May. Obviously I've identified Hood Aerodrome at Masterton as a must-see for me (though regrettably it looks like flying weekends end in April - bad timing!), but it looks like Omaka is a real treasure as well. Unfortunately we are likely spending all of our time on the North Island, which rules out a trip to Omaka unless there's any way to do it in a day trip from Wellington - it doesn't look that far away on Google Maps, but maybe a bit far for me to swim
I'm obviously incredibly excited about the prospect of seeing one or the other collection, but if anyone has any logistical tips for potentially seeing both, I'm listening!
Also open to suggestions for non-WWI-aviation-related sights, of course.
Not an ideal time to come to see the WW1 aircraft, but hopefully the following will help you plan the trip:
Auckland Museum: The War Memorial Galleries: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/galleries
Museum of Transport and Technology (Auckland): http://www.motat.org.nz/exhibitions/...ation-display/
NZ Warbirds Association (Auckland): http://nzwarbirds.org.nz/welcome/Visitor+Centre.html
Classic Flyers Museum (Tauranga): http://www.classicflyersnz.com
National Army Museum (Waiouru): http://www.armymuseum.co.nz
Tawhiti Museum (Hawera - Sundays only in May): http://tawhitimuseum.co.nz
Te Papa - The Scale Of War (Wellington): https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/pla...ours#Gallipoli
The Great War Exhibition (Wellington): http://www.greatwarexhibition.nz (includes a WW1 aircraft!)
Southward Car Museum (Kapiti, near Wellington): https://www.southwardcarmuseum.co.nz (includes a handful of aircraft!)
For non-aviation things:
Rotorua is always a treat for tourists: http://www.rotoruanz.com
Taupo will also offer some activities: http://www.greatlaketaupo.com/things-to-do/
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Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre (Blenheim)
As for getting to Omaka, I suggest you do sort out a day trip, even if you leave the rest of the family in Wellington, and make it a day trip for yourself. To come all this way and not get a chance to see the displays there would be a real shame -- those people who have been there will tell you not to miss it :-)
Ferry Services Across Cook Strait:
These two companies offer ferry services across Cook Strait you can check out their websites for timetables and pricing:
The trip across Cook Strait is a 3.5 hour journey (one way), so it's a long day but you'll be glad you did it.
Once you get to Picton (on the Ferry), you're still 25 miles or so from Picton. I believe there are probably shuttle services available (see A1_Picton_Shuttles, but if you contact me via email early enough I may be in a position to pick you up, take you to Omaka, and get you back to Picton. Would depend on actual date and whether I'm in town (Blenheim) or away on business.
Flying Across Cook Strait:
Again there's two companies you could look at to get you across the Strait for the day -- quicker than ferry but more expensive:
A taxi from Blenheim Airpot to Omaka is easily doable (is only a couple of miles) and it won't cost you much. Again if I'm in town I could also help.
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The Vintage Aviator at Hood Aerodrome (Masterton)
As for checking out The Vintage Aviator's flying collection at Hood Aerodrome, you are correct in that you'll miss out on the last flying weekend of the season. May is outside of the normal operational season, but it is possible that you may be able to organise a short guided tour of the hangar (with at least a dozen WW1 aircraft reproductions) anyway. See the details with contact info here: http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/hangar-tours
If you have any difficulty in organising a tour, again, email me directly, and I'll see what I can do. I do have some influence and contacts, and the fact that you're coming all the way from the USA will make it easier to achieve.
Give me a shout if you need any further info,
Allan
Historical Aviation Film Unit
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