MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
With changing exhibitions and school holiday experiences, unique events and live activities, MOTAT is a great place to explore, discover and spark imaginations. MOTAT has a broad collection showcasing technology and ingenuity of Aotearoa New Zealand. Loved by families and an intergenerational experience, there is something for all to enjoy. Experience past, present and future technology and ingenuity through interactive exhibitions, see the original Pumphouse, stroll through the historic village and enjoy a ride on a heritage tram. Our Aviation Hall houses one of the largest aviation collections in the Southern Hemisphere. MOTAT is known as one of Auckland’s best value attractions. A Family pass is just $45 for two adults and up to 4 children aged 5-15 years. Under 5s enter for free. Entry to both our museum spaces is included in your ticket purchase and our free heritage tram service transports you between the two. Go to MOTAT.NZ to find out what’s on and help to plan your visit.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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  • CiderMonkey
    Cornwall, United Kingdom254 contributions
    Another good day out
    Spent a full afternoon just wandering around looking at and learning of all the exhibits on the site. It was a scorching hot day so we were glad of the shelter. A lot has changed in 6 years so needed to have a look at those changes and was really impressed. The site has more touchy feely things as well as looking at some both Auckland and NZ history. Included in the entrance fee is a ticket for the tram to go to the aircraft museum. It is approx 10 mins away and is out passed the zoo.⁰ in
    Thanks for your fantastic review! It's great to hear that you enjoyed your visit to MOTAT.
    Written July 13, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2020
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 22, 2020
  • Peter
    20 contributions
    Good for College Group
    I went MOTAT with my collage friends🙆🏻🤷‍♀️🙎‍♂️ and really love the experience there, first I saw the maze there but it was finish so early then my told me it designed according for kids🧒. Cafe available inside the Museum but you need to pay extra for your meal as food is not included in Museum ticket🎫, then we had Lunch🥙 there - after a while we waited outside for Tram🚃 and when tram arrived we all were settled down and visit to the another section of the Museum. Good place to get informationℹ️ about New Zealand🇳🇿 History.
    Thanks for visiting us and for amazing review, Peter! Glad you enjoyed your experience at MOTAT.
    Written March 9, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2020
    Written March 1, 2020
  • MikeAKL
    Auckland Central, New Zealand72 contributions
    An interesting collection
    MOTAT has an interesting collection of aircraft and NZ aviation history displays. (Did a kiwi beat the Wright brothers to powered flight?). My kids prefer MOTAT 1 (trains and cars), I like MOTAT 2 - aviation. Would be great to see the Lancaster flying though. Static displays always seem a little depressing to me. NZ Warbirds have a couple of hangars of interesting aircraft at Ardmore Airfield, which actually fly, so I highly recommend taking a look at their collection also.
    Thank you for your review, Mike. We are happy to hear you and your kids loved the trains, cars and aviation. You are correct, Richard William Pearse bet the Wright brothers to a powered flight. Witnesses interviewed many years afterward claimed that Pearse flew and landed a powered heavier-than-air machine on 31 March 1903, nine months before the Wright brothers flew. Thank you for your recommendations regarding the aircraft's.
    Written March 9, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2019
    Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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ITRT
Virginia38,544 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
As the name implies, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) has exhibits on transportation and technology. It’s the largest such museum in New Zealand. If you are interested in vintage, trains, planes, cars, and technology, then this is a must visit. The Pumphouse, historic Village, model railway, firehouse, and autos are some of the interesting areas. There are many hands-on experiences for children. One of the favorites of the children seemed to be using the working rotary phones. Code Breakers exhibit celebrates women who were involved in the development of the gaming industry. The steam engine on display was once used to supply clean water to residents. Once you have finished this part of the transportation museum, a tram goes from MOTAT to an aviation warehouse to see all types of planes. A great family activity.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Geoff F
Palmerston North, New Zealand215 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Two locations. In a bit of a rush so only visited the pump room and steam engines in the first location. Very well presented with engineers on hand firing up machines. Popped on to the train to the other site. Memories of my childhood were evoked. The tram stops on the way at the zoo. The other Motat site is all about aviation. Some terrific restorations of iconic planes in particular the Lancaster and Mosquito. Great story boards about NZ pilots in WWII, the dam busters and pathfinders. My only gripe is the lighting is poor. I want to see detail. Example, the rear gunners pod in the Lancaster. Numerous other spots where more lighting would be good. Bring a torch.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review, Geoff. We are pleased you had a great time at MOTAT and enjoyed the iconic restored planes.
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MurrayL
Christchurch, New Zealand76 contributions
Mar 2022
It's over fifty years since we last visited this attraction and were a little disappointed that not much had changed over the years. Everything was well-presented, the staff were helpful and welcoming, and the café was okay considering the current Covid situation. It was clean and well-spaced out, but the menu was pretty limited. Some exhibits were closed, so the tram ride was cut short.
Written March 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathleen S
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand285 contributions
Oct 2022
Its good that the staff are refurbishing many of the buildings, but the number of things closed, or in the interactive areas broken, made us feel as it wasnt really open. Even the cafe was semi functional. We were there on a Friday and there was little food (we were there before lunch so guess that was the case all day) and although it was hot the milk shakes and smoothies werent available, In situations like that maybe it was better to not open at all. Certainly we should not have had to pay full price.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HopeJasmin
Tauranga, New Zealand2 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
3 generations spent day at MOTAT. Maybe could do with more food options, but otherwise excellent day out. Intermediate aged children loved it as much as Grandad. Well organised and interactive for all.
Written December 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Louise C
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
Was very disappointed with visit, the historic village to start with, laundry not open, shops not open and hardly any displays, same with homes dark and half not open. Print shop and blacksmiths not open. Area 5 and 6 just plain boring. Sorry but not worth the money the 7 of us paid. Where were the rest of the vintage cars? I came here 15-20 yrs ago and it was amazing!
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience. Our Print Shop is open every Sunday, and the Road Transport Workshop is currently in operation on Wednesdays and Sundays. We hope you can visit MOTAT again on one of these days and make more amazing memories.
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Wade
Kawakawa, New Zealand13 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Loved seeing the Lancastor bomber and the Mazda R100. Had a really day. Enjoyed the tram ride. And staff were very helpful and friendly when our party got separated. Would love to go again for longer this time.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive words! We are happy you had a great day at MOTAT. Hope to see you again soon.
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Susan N
Auckland Central, New Zealand104 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This is a great day out, my boys 5 and 8 love it. Trams, planes, cars, how machines work and knowledge staff. You can see everything is 4-5 hours. There are 2 sites with a tram between them.

We will be go back.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, Susan. We are delighted to hear you and your boys loved the trams, planes, and machinery.
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

pandd1946
Batemans Bay, Australia7,830 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We visited the Motat Museum recently on a trip to Auckland. We were on the red "hop on hop off bus". We spent a few hours here visiting both sections of the Museum, but we could have spent longer viewing the vast range of exhibits on display. The bus dropped us off at the first section of the Museum where you pay your entry fee. This section also has a refreshment and coffee shop in the grounds. Section two of the Museum which incorporates many interesting aeroplane exhibits from past times is in another area and you have a tram ride which is included in the entrance fee. There is an interactive photo exhibition where you can take your own photo and it is displayed instantly on the large screen. The tram driver, "Motor Man", Paul, does a wonderful job transferring guests from each Museum location. We found the staff at the entrance area to be very welcoming. All in all, we had a very enjoyable few hours and we wish it could have been longer. Definitely worth a visit.
Written April 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LoisMM
Nelson, New Zealand267 contributions
Jan 2011
What fantastic value for money. We were visiting from Nelson. I have lived overseas for 15 years and visited many attractions and this one rates way up there. It was informative, fun, relaxing, nostalgic. The staff were enthusiastic (especially the volunteers at the Aviation site) and happy in their work. Took the tram both ways between sites and that was a nice break. I marvelled at the Pumphouse, what a wonderful building and the video of the various items in the building, was very informative. I recommend for locals to take up the offer of the annual pass- at $35 for adults/$20 for seniors, this is a steal! The activities you had available for children of all ages was excellent. Thanks MOTAT for a wonderful time.
Written January 3, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology (Auckland) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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