DAY 1 - Join us at the Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga for brunch before we depart on a direct flight to Christchurch. On arrival in the Garden City, we will board our coach for the short journey to the first of our “aviation” themed destinations, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram.

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Grab a bite at the Contact Café, located alongside the historic aircraft with views across the former Wigram airfield to the Port Hills, before our guided tour. Our “behind the scenes” tour offers access to the restoration workshop as well as the reserve collection of aircraft, vehicles and engines.

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Departing the museum, its just a short drive to our Christchurch hotel where we will dine together this evening.

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DAY 2 - Leaving Christchurch, we head south to Ashburton, which has a strong aviation history as the town was a training centre in World War 2 with 50 Tiger Moths based here. We visit the Ashburton Aviation Museum which houses a collection of over 20 aircraft including the Devon, Vampire, Harvard, Harrier GR3, Meteor, Zlin, DC3, Vampire and Tiger Moth to name a few and see whats underway in the aircraft restoration workshop. 

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We continue to our lunch stop at Geraldine at the Barkers Foodstore and Eatery (included) then into the legendary Mackenzie - an area of great wide-open spaces, the highest mountains, awe-inspiring glaciers and vivid turquoise lakes. An afternoon break at Omarama is the final stop before arriving at our accommodation for the next 4 nights, the Marsden Lake Resort on Lake Dunstan, midway between Cromwell and Wanaka Airport.

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After our day of travel we can relax overlooking the lake and enjoy dinner together at the hotels Moorings Restaurant.

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Day 3 - Today is the practice day for the Air Show (acclaimed as one of the world's top four Warbird airshows). Started by aviation entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis in 1988, this is now a biennial centre piece of Central Otago’s tourist attractions with around 60,000 attending this amazing showcase of all things aviation.

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Our GOLD PASS tickets offer us the best 3-day experience – with great seating in the grandstand situated directly in front of the runway. An attached large marquee and hospitality area offers a range food and beverage options to purchase. Complimentary tea, coffee and water are available to us throughout the show.

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GOLD PASS holders also receive an airshow branded bag, gold cap and badge, an airshow programme, a voucher for one free drink. You will also be able to mingle with the pilots, get autographs and walk the flight line on Saturday or Sunday.

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The National Transport and Toy Museum is right next to the airshow arena and well worth a look, with over half a century of collecting and striving to preserve pieces from the past, boasts rare and unusual aircraft, cars, trucks, motorcycles, fire appliances, military vehicles, boats and tractors.   Entry cost is $20 pp.

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Friday is practice day with all ground displays open. The warbirds, civil and military aircraft will be conducting practice displays in preparation for the main show on Saturday and Sunday - so perhaps today is a good time to check out some of the other activities.

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Returning to our hotel, this evening we venture out and enjoy a meal at one of the top local Cromwell restaurants and have a look around the old Heritage quarter of town. 

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Day 4 - Today is Airshow Display Day – which commences at 10.00am. Spend the day making full use of your Gold Pass privileges, enjoy the amazing flying displays and also get close to the aircraft and displays on the ground. There is so much to see, from vintage military vehicles, classic cars and motorcycles, along with new aircraft sales displays - the day will literally fly by!

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The finale each day is worth waiting for as the display aircraft attack the ground based enemy - with plenty of large pyrotechnics going off. 

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After our day at the airshow we can relax overlooking the lake and enjoy dinner together at the hotels Moorings Restaurant.

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Day 5 - The final day of the air show.  The program today replicates the one we saw yesterday so you can plan your day to see what you may have missed on Saturday. There may be a few additional aircraft flying due to operational issues the day prior as well. 

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Or you may want to just relax at the hotel and “do your own thing” today before we meet up again this evening for dinner at the hotel, our last night in the South Island.  Other activities and transport can be arranged. Highlands motorsport park is close by. 

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Day 6 - Today we leave for Christchurch and our evening direct flight back to Tauranga. With plenty of stops along the way at Omarama, Lake Tekapo and Fairlie (our lunch stop), sit back and enjoy the stunning South Island landscapes on the road to Christchurch.

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Options - If you want to spend longer in Christchurch before or after the tour itinerary, this can be arranged. We can reserve rooms at our selected Christchurch hotel or leave you to make your own arrangements.

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You could also fly directly to Queenstown if you do not want to take the coach option from Christchurch, but you would miss the two aviation museums we visit on day 1 & 2. Transfers to and from our hotel can be arranged from Queenstown at additional cost.

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If you do not live in the Tauranga area then flights from any location can be arranged.

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Flight costs - ​We do not include the cost of flights in our tour as the price varies considerably.  When you make your booking we will confirm a price for AIR NZ ticket for your selected route, this will be booked and charged in addition to your booking deposit, along with any additional charges due. 

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We have secured a group booking for return flights to Christchurch from Tauranga for $550 per person. This is a seat + bag ticket and is non refundable after the 2nd December when full payment is required. Please advise if you want to include this. 

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Please note that the sooner you book the tour the cost of the flights will be lower and availability will be much better. There is just one direct Tauranga/Christchurch flight each day to suit our plan and if not available you may need to travel a day earlier.