If the roar of an engine and gleaming metal get your pulse racing, you’ll get a kick out of visiting these museums and collections, says Wendy Montrose.
1.Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, Blenheim
It was getting late when we got to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, giving us just enough time to see Sir Peter Jackson’s Knights of the Sky exhibition. A series of life-size dioramas with a mixture of original, flyable, and static replica aircraft brings the war to life and tells the stories of the bold World War 1 airmen. This remarkable collection created by the genius of Wingnut Films and Weta Workshop puts you right in the action with dogfights, crashes and more. We’ll have to go back to see the WW2 Dangerous Skies exhibition and explore the air park. It’s well worth a revisit. omaka.org.nz
2.The Plains Vintage Railway and Historical Museum, Tinwald, Ashburton
Waking up in our camper to the sound of a chuffing steam train, I thought I was dreaming. But it was real alright. Next to the Tinwald Domain where we were parked, the Plains Vintage Railway and Historical Museum was firing up one of its steam locomotives for a public running day. Spanning mid-Canterbury’s history since European colonisation, the museum’s exhibits include the Vintage Railway, a Pioneer Village and a Rural History section. There are three public running days scheduled for April offering all-day train rides, a kids’ playground, hot food and coffee. The Museum Village Buildings are open, with stationary engines and vintage machinery on display.
Also, the Ashburton Fire Museum, Ashburton Steam & Model Engineers, the Ashburton Woodworkers and Lynn Museum, which operate on the same site, open on these days. Give yourself a day to enjoy it all. plainsrailway.co.nz
3.Museum of Transport & Technology – MOTAT, Auckland
When did you last go to MOTAT? Open to the public since 1964, the museum’s 300,000- odd items have been enjoyed by millions and are lovingly cared for by a team of more than 300 staff and volunteers. Don’t miss their ever changing model railway, take a ride in an historic tram or get involved in one of their events. Live Days are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month, each one providing interactive fun and excitement for the whole family. The next one is on 16 April. Visit their website for details. motat.nz
4.Classics Museum & Jukebox dinner, Hamilton
Remember the 1950s? Well, I don’t really but I do remember the TV shows like Happy Days, plus there’s Elvis, the Fonz, the diners, the cars… Relive the rock & roll era at the Classics Museum in Hamilton with more than 100 classic cars dating from 1918 and an extensive collection of enamel signs, petrol pumps, tins and oil bottles. On display you’ll also find a 1937 bus used to take Hamilton children to school as well as vintage toys, pedal cars, bicycles and much more. And if all this nostalgia makes you hungry, a burger and a shake at the 1950s American-themed Jukebox Diner will round out the visit nicely. classicsmuseum.co.nz
5.Mike Pero’s Motorcycle Collection, Christchurch
“I had one of those, and those,” my mate sighed, getting all misty eyed as he recalled his youth at Mike Pero’s. You’ll know Mike from his real estate profile, but did you know he had a passion for motorbikes? From age 14, when he bought his first bike through a motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship to winning national production races, motorcycling has been Mike’s first love, and he still rides and races today.
His collection comprises around 60 Japanese classics from the 1970s through to the 1990s, all in gleaming, ready-to- ride-out-the-door condition and some are even available for hire for special occasions. Bikes are only part of the attraction though. Also on site is a Boeing 737 flight simulator where you can sit in the cockpit, take the controls and fly to New York. You’ll be convinced its a real plane. motorcyclegallery.co.nz
6.Bill Richardson Transport World, Invercargill
The result of one man’s passion, this Invercargill attraction is fun for the family. Bill Richardson was born in the southern city in 1940, and transport was in his life even then; in 1878 Bill’s great grandfather Samuel ran a stagecoach and livery business. His father and grandfather’s businesses spawned Southern Transport in 1946, with four trucks used to cart lumber. This sparked Bill’s interest, and he collected more than 150 vintage trucks in his ‘shed’. Although Bill died in 2005, his legacy lives on. Described as ‘petrolhead heaven’, this lively museum has an ever-changing line-up of exhibits and events. Whether you’re into trucks, cars, motorcycles, campers or just want a fun day out, this is a must-see if you’re down south. transportworld.co.nz
7.Southward Car Museum, Paraparamu
We passed the sign for this museum I don’t know how many times before we finally stopped for a look. I am not into cars. As long as one gets me where I want to go in relative comfort, I don’t care what it is. But three hours in Southward Car Museum flew by and I hadn’t even been to the café yet. It was fascinating to see the progression from the very first cars to gangster Cadillacs and drool-worthy Ferraris. There were tiny 3-wheelers, electric cars including one produced in 1913 that appealed to the society ladies of the time, a DeLorean (think Back to the Future) and more gleaming metal than you would think possible. Established by Len Southward to house his collection of 450+ cars, planes and bikes, the museum opened to the public in 1979 and is compulsory viewing for all petrolheads. southwardcarmuseum.co.nz
8.Packard Museum, Whangarei
Graeme Craw’s 1924 Packard straight eight tourer was the catalyst for a collection that today numbers 60 Packards dating from 1919 to 1958 when production ceased, as well as other American and English cars. The museum in the old Northern Co-op Dairy Factory at Maungatapere is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday and encompasses four large buildings on five acres. Inside is something for everyone – motorcycles, trucks, military vehicles, steam engines and earthmoving machines, sewing machines, typewriters, telephones and some alarming-looking medical equipment. Look out for their start up tours, when a selection of vehicles will roar into life. packardmuseum.co.nz
