MOTAT – Museum of Transport & Technology
MOTAT, Museum of Transport and Technology, is New Zealand’s largest transport, technology and social history museum. Spread across 40 acres, MOTAT will take your family on an interactive day out to explore and discover the achievements that have helped shape New Zealand.
MOTAT EXHIBITIONS
There is a range of permanent and changing family friendly exhibitions at MOTAT. Your admission includes entry to all of these:
Award winning Aviation Display Hall is a collection of recreational, commercial and military aircraft that celebrates the evolution of New Zealand aviation, since 1911. Take a journey through one of the most significant aviation collections in the Southern Hemisphere. The Aviation Display Hall is located at M2 in Meola Road.
MOTOTS a toddler friendly play zone for little ones who like adventure while grown-ups can take a break.
Get Smart – NZ Wired in the Digital World is an interactive permanent exhibition showcasing the growth of computing, gaming and communications and how the powerful machines we carry in our pockets have become faster, cheaper and smarter.
New Zealand model railway has been a MOTAT favourite for 40 years that is constantly evolving.
Accelerate: Driving New Zealand delves into the past, present and future of New Zealand’s love affair with vehicles and technology. This permanent exhibit is for petrol heads, tech enthusiasts, history buffs and future thinkers alike.
Machine Makers is a permanent family friendly exhibition which showcases the fundamentals of engineering by examining the six simple machines – the building blocks for more complex inventions. It’s like a physics playground – with robots. Read about an Auckland families visit to the Machine Makers exhibition.
The 1870s Pumphouse has steam engines operating every day. See, hear and smell the amazing story of steam in New Zealand’s industrial past in this permanent exhibition.
Parapara Ingenious is a new exhibition space at MOTAT that celebrates Kiwi ingenuity and innovation in Aotearoa.
The Firehouse permanent exhibition has lots of big red fire trucks on display from early horse drawn pumps to V8-powered fire engines. Kids will enjoy discovering the equipment and history of these everyday heroes.
MOTAT’s Village which brings alive Pakeha settler life. You will be taken back in time as you explore the original cottages, schoolhouse, chapel, washhouse and forge.
MOTAT EXPERIENCES
MOTAT has lots of family friendly activities and experiences for kids to enjoy:
Weekend experiences
On the weekends MOTAT has activities to keep families with children entertained.
Join in the fun and learn about scientific principles and facts with demonstrations on Science in a Sec. Each month there is a new theme and new things to learn.
The Print Shop is open every Sunday and you can see the heritage printing presses in action.
Live Days run on the Third Sunday of every month from 10am to 4pm where MOTAT’s operational collection comes to life. Live Days offer hours of fun and entertainment, from aviation demonstrations, rides on trains, trams and military vehicles to activations in the historic Village.
School holiday experiences
MOTAT has different holiday activities for children to experience each school holiday period, providing hours of entertainment. Find out what’s on at MOTAT in the school holidays.
Workshops
MOTAT’s workshops are open on Live Days. The kids (and adults) can see passionate staff and volunteers hold talks and torus of the workshop facilities. There are Road Transport, Telecommunication, Tram and Military workshops.
Annual events
MOTAT also has lots of seasonal events on each year for families.
Such as Night Lights, Bubble weekend, Christmas Lights and more. Find out what events are on at MOTAT.
MOTAT CONTACT DETAILS
Phone: 0800 668 2869
Website: www.motat.nz
Opening hours
The MOTAT Great North Road (M1) and Meola Road (M2) sites are open daily from 10am to 4pm. The last entry is permitted into the museum at 3:30pm.
We recommend you allow at least 3 hours if you wish to experience both sites. The vintage tram ride runs between the two MOTAT sites and is included in the general admission fee. Trams usually run every 30 minutes.
MOTAT is open all public holidays, except Christmas Day.
Location and parking
MOTAT has two sites linked by a vintage tram ride, M1 at 805 Great North Road, Western Springs and M2 at 200 Meola Road, Point Chevalier. The multi award winning Aviation Display Hall is located at M2.
You can start your experience at either M1 or M2 and each site is accessible by car, taxi or public transport. There is a car park at M2 and public car parking around M1.
Included as part of the standard MOTAT admission, the Western Springs Tram service is a fantastic way to experience a historical tram ride between the two sites and passes the idyllic Western Springs Park and Auckland Zoo.
