Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT)

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The Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT) is a fascinating place if you’re into old cars, planes, trains and steam engines.

This science and technology museum is set on two sites, which are linked by a tram route running vintage tramcars (originally from Melbourne). The museum admission fee includes a return tram trip between the two museum sites. The tram also stops at Auckland Zoo en route between the two museum sites.

MOTAT 1 (the original museum site on Great North Road) was built on the site of a beam engine pump house, which originally supplied water to Auckland. The original beam engine has been restored and is on display along with a collection of other steam engines.

The original museum site is also home to a large collection of over 100 vehicles including trams, trains, cars, buses and fire engines. There is also a display on space travel including a Corporal rocket.

The excellent Pioneers of Aviation exhibit including displays on Charles Kingsford-Smith’s trans-Tasman flight and Jean Batten’s England–New Zealand flight. Parts of Richard Pearse’s aircraft (which made flights prior to the Wright brothers) are also on display here.

The MOTAT 1 museum site is also home to a recreated shopping street depicting life in the 1920s.

Although MOTAT 1 is home to an excellent aviation pavilion, MOTAT’s main aviation exhibits are housed at the museum’s secondary site on Meola Road (MOTAT 2).

Aviation exhibits at MOTAT 2 include the engine from Jean Batten’s Percival Gull (the actual plane is on display at Auckland Airport) as well as displays on the history of commercial aviation including Pan American Airways and Imperial Airways flying boats of the 1930s and TEAL (which later became Air New Zealand) flying boats of the 1940s and 1950s. This site also has exhibits of military aircraft including a collection of Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft.


Our address

Address:
805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022
Bus 010, 014, 8, 020, 030, 110, 129, 132, 133, 134, 195 (stop: Great North Road near Stadium Road)
Telephone (09) 815 5800 or 0800 668 2869
Website www.motat.org.nz
Admission Adult $19
    Open 10am–5pm daily (last entry 4.30pm)

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    There are 15 comments from Foursquare

  • Alexandre, 27 Aug 2018


    Great for the kids!

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Marcia, 02 Feb 2018


    The whole family loved it

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  • Viacheslav, 24 Apr 2017


    Детям здесь будет интересно, и взрослым придётся подстраиваться под них. На осмотр хватит тридцати минут.

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Gabriela, 02 Apr 2017


    One of the best museums in NZ! Perfect for kids at all ages!

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Gabriela, 12 Jul 2016


    Great place to visit with kids. To come and go many times during the year.

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Gary, 27 Dec 2015


    Good for families and we'll worth the tram trio to the aviation museum. Really friendly and helpful staff.

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Paul, 07 Jun 2015


    The interactive children's area is fantastic for the little ones. They still have the fantastic model railway that I remember being awed by some 35 years ago. Still just as magical ;)

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Michael, 04 Jan 2014


    Arte arte muy artista para mirar bien tranquilo

      Liked 0 times.  
  • Craig, 18 Aug 2013


    Tram times include 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:15pm

      Liked 1 times.  
  • Peter, 03 Jun 2013


    PARKING: If there are no spaces available on Stadium Road or Great North Road then try opposite the sports field in Ivanhoe Road.

      Liked 2 times.  
  • Peter, 02 Jun 2013


    New tinkering tots area is great for busy kids under 5

      Liked 1 times.  
  • Darren, 28 Mar 2013


    The place to see Auckland's technology and transport heritage over two sites linked by a heritage tram service.

      Liked 5 times.  
  • Kristin, 06 Nov 2011


    Dont forget to check out Motat two where the airplanes are.

      Liked 2 times.  
  • REALNZFestival, 09 Sep 2011


    Take the tram around this amazing Museum - all 40 acres of it! Kids really love it.

      Liked 1 times.  
  • A, 01 Apr 2011


    Make sure you get the tram to MOTAT 2

      Liked 2 times.