easy
4–6 hours
Suitable for all fitness levels; primarily walking and standing indoors
Step into the thrilling history of WWI and WWII aviation at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim. This all-day ticket unlocks two exhibitions that bring wartime flight to life through incredible artifacts and lifelike dioramas.
For all ages • All Day • Best of Both!
All day (9am-5pm)
This ticket will give you access to both exhibitions (Knights of the Sky WW1 and Dangerous Skies WW2)
Knights of the Sky WW1 The Great War (WWI) is the stage on which the story of aviation and the ‘Knights of the Sky’ comes to life. This is the personal collection of film director Sir Peter Jackson and through his generosity a series of dioramas, created by Wingnut Films and enhanced by lifelike mannequins by Weta Workshop combined to provide a museum experience, never seen before its opening in 2006.
Rare memorabilia on display; the envy of any national collection ranges from beautifully crafted ‘trench’ art through to personal items belonging to national flying heroes such as the USA’s Eddie Rickenbacker, France’s René Fonck and Germany’s Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen and the infamous Hermann Goering.
Dangerous Skies WW2 Visit Sir Peter Jackson’s Knights of the Sky Exhibition and travel to a time when the harshness and cruelty of the war in the trenches contrasted with the chivalry and bravado of the war in the air. Opened in November 2016, the exhibition Dangerous Skies broadens the Omaka experience into the more familiar territory of World War Two, even while breaking new ground. Taking visitors on a journey the through lesser-known stories of the war on the Eastern front, those of the world’s only female fighter aces and the most famous of all women regiments; Russia’s 588th Night Bombers, or ‘Night Witches’ as the Germans called them.
Like World War One’s Knights of the Sky, Dangerous Skies features mannequins made by Weta Workshop, and original, flyable static aircraft in larger-than-life dioramas, capturing specific snapshots in history.
In 2019, Dangerous Skies has undergone a refresh and the main exhibition area now holds two additional aircraft, both originals and never seen before at Omaka. The first a Messerschmitt Bf108 once owned and flown by German ace Franz Stigler, and the second a Lockheed Hudson, an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft which has been suspended in a dramatic crash scene in the depths of a Pacific island jungle.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bring a smile Bring a camera and have a blast!!
Both exhibitions are extensive—plan at least 4 hours to fully appreciate the displays.
Bring your camera; photos are permitted without flash to preserve artifacts.
All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the exhibitions.
Exhibits cover large, multi-room spaces requiring standing and walking.
The heritage centre features Sir Peter Jackson’s private collection and showcases New Zealand’s unique contribution to wartime aviation history.
The centre emphasizes preserving original artifacts and utilizes environmentally sensitive display techniques to minimize impact.
Supportive shoes help navigate extensive indoor spaces and avoid foot fatigue.
Capture high-quality images of unique artifacts and detailed dioramas.
For cool indoor temperatures and outdoor arrivals or departures.
fall|spring|winter specific
Ideal for jotting down facts and stories from the exhibitions.