Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Highly recommend stopping here! Although be prepared, we went in expecting to be in and out in under an hour, we were there over 3 hours. Also pay the extra and check out both exhibits, the history here is very interesting and well presented with interesting facts and information!

Well worth a visit here. Many hours of work gone into this set up. Plenty of free parking. Good little Cafe, light and airy. Souvenir shop also. Bathrooms clean and fresh. The Stalingrad experience in a replica bombed building enduring a German air force attack is quite unique.

Absolutely worth the time to go through both exhibitions. We spent 2 hours here. The short cinema experience in the WW2 is very informative.

What a fantastic location. I am so happy we decided to go here and have a look, I found a bookme special too which was even greater. If you are passing through or staying in Blenheim, this is a MUST! We spent 1.5hrs there and it was just enough.

Aviation and history buffs, this place is a must. WW1 actual planes as well as replicas, then onto WW2 planes. Loads of information and stories, being part sponsored by Sir Peter Jackson the sets are of Hollywood standard.

We only went through the WW1 exhibit but I thoroughly loved it. The planes, statues, scenery and information was a sight to see.

What a credit to the contributors and display creators of what would be one on the best displays of aircraft I have ever seen, and I have been to a number of aviation displays. Having Peter Jackson's creative team on hand really put the realistic touch to a huge collection of aircraft. One thing that was certainly different from other displays was the collection of German aircraft and historical artifacts. Never have I seen this before. The floor staff inside the displays were knowledgeable and friendly. Unfortunately, the staff outside weren't when trying to get information re the coming Easter Airshow, bit like extracting teeth.

The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is an absolute must-visit for anyone with even the slightest interest in history, aviation, or immersive storytelling! The museum’s breathtaking exhibits, featuring meticulously restored aircraft and lifelike dioramas, bring the heroism and drama of both World Wars to life in a way that is truly unparalleled. The attention to detail is extraordinary, with Peter Jackson’s cinematic touch making each scene feel as if you’ve stepped straight into history. From rare warbirds to captivating personal stories, every display is crafted with passion and authenticity, making this one of the most engaging and unforgettable aviation museums. Thursday 9 am–5 pm Friday 9 am–5 pm Saturday 9 am–5 pm Sunday 9 am–5 pm Monday 9 am–5 pm Tuesday 9 am–5 pm Wednesday 9 am–5 pm

Absolutely one of the best World War I and II plane collections I have seen. What sets this rather small museum apart (from some massive.US plane museums) is the level of restoration and condition of the planes where a number of them are still in flying condition. The other is that the World War I planes are owned and staged by Sir Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame. He used his movie company to create sets and stages for the planes that bring them to life. There are great stories of the pilots that flew them with uniforms and memorabilia that are extremely rare such as pieces of The Red Baron's plane. While the WWI museum is featured as the best of the three museums the WWII museum is well worth visiting just as well. There you will see the top fighters in WW2 and some rare Russian and German planes that survived the war and are in excellent condition. The third museum is one on antique cars in which we unfortunately did not have time to visit. This is a not to miss museum for the war historian and airplane buff.