Port Marsden Oil Refinery Visitor Center
Port Marsden Oil Refinery Visitor Center
Port Marsden Oil Refinery Visitor Center
4
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4.0
37 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
16
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Steve G
Omakau, New Zealand38 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
I know it sounds strange visiting a oil refinery information center but this place was awesome. The lovely lady on duty was so helpful and genuine. The model is IMPRESSIVE and a must see.
Written 20 July 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.
Robinjyates
Auckland, New Zealand86 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This is truly a hidden gem.
When I suggested to my wife that we call in at the Marsden Point Oil Refinery Visitor Centre she did not jump for joy, but later admitted that was a great experience. The centrepiece is a 150m2 fine detailed model of the refinery that was built to assist with its construction. Its accurate to every last pipe and valve and is lit up with batteries of spot lights. A bank of seats run the full 50m length of the model and there is a large video screen in the centre rear above the model so most seats have a clear view.
As the 20 minute video presentation begins the lights on the model are extinguished focusing the audience attention on the screen. As different parts/features of the refinery are explained on the video that section of the model is spot lit. Besides being technical educational the whole presentation, video, sound track and light show, is great entertainment and very professionally presented. As my wife put it "I may not be able to explain how an Oil Refinery works, but I do now have a reasonable idea and can understand what people and the media are on about when stories about oil appear in the media"
Down stairs, before the show, there is a scale model of the route taken by the oil pipeline from the refinery to the bulk storage and distribution centre at Wiri South Auckland. After the video show, which includes a 24 hour day, sunset, night and sunrise sequence, there is a comprehensive static display that those technically minded can review all the facts, figure and processing details that were covered in the video show plus more. There are also a number of smaller video presentations on oil exploration and drilling in separate viewing areas.
A world class presentation, similar in many ways to the ones we used to visit in Hong Kong when they had the worlds 5 largest construction projects all going at the same time.
And its free
When I suggested to my wife that we call in at the Marsden Point Oil Refinery Visitor Centre she did not jump for joy, but later admitted that was a great experience. The centrepiece is a 150m2 fine detailed model of the refinery that was built to assist with its construction. Its accurate to every last pipe and valve and is lit up with batteries of spot lights. A bank of seats run the full 50m length of the model and there is a large video screen in the centre rear above the model so most seats have a clear view.
As the 20 minute video presentation begins the lights on the model are extinguished focusing the audience attention on the screen. As different parts/features of the refinery are explained on the video that section of the model is spot lit. Besides being technical educational the whole presentation, video, sound track and light show, is great entertainment and very professionally presented. As my wife put it "I may not be able to explain how an Oil Refinery works, but I do now have a reasonable idea and can understand what people and the media are on about when stories about oil appear in the media"
Down stairs, before the show, there is a scale model of the route taken by the oil pipeline from the refinery to the bulk storage and distribution centre at Wiri South Auckland. After the video show, which includes a 24 hour day, sunset, night and sunrise sequence, there is a comprehensive static display that those technically minded can review all the facts, figure and processing details that were covered in the video show plus more. There are also a number of smaller video presentations on oil exploration and drilling in separate viewing areas.
A world class presentation, similar in many ways to the ones we used to visit in Hong Kong when they had the worlds 5 largest construction projects all going at the same time.
And its free
Written 12 July 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.
Sharon B
Whangarei, New Zealand76 contributions
Oct 2019
The visitors centre is very interesting and very informative. Great display of the refinery. All ages can enjoy this visit.
Written 17 October 2019
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.
MLScobie
Hamilton, New Zealand15 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We were recommended a visit by friends who came a few weeks ago. We "googled" before hauling our caravan there and were told that it opened at 10am. The sign outside the car park also told us that the centre opened at 10am. Very annoyed to find a scruffy sign on the main door informing us that they are now closed at weekends.
Written 8 March 2019
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.
Shelley S
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
This is a very informative display with a video & lit model describing New Zealand's oil manufacture and distribution. The video is about 20 minutes & then you can wander thru the rest of the displays at your leisure. Surprisingly interesting.
Written 3 January 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.
old_romantics_2000
Derby, UK571 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
This is a free entrance to quite a large visitors centre. There is a large video screen showing how the crude oil is manufactured in to lots of other products. In the same room there is the biggest model of a complex I have ever seen. It took two men over a year to build. There is lots of videos, photos, pictures and literature to keep you interested. Although it is slightly of the beaten track a detour is well worth it.
Written 19 March 2017
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.
Superwoman888
Auckland Central, New Zealand326 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
For once we did not drive on through. It was just a 8 km detour from the main highway, and well worth a visit.
Entry was free and the lady at the front desk was very helpful and friendly.
There were two short video presentation one on searching and drilling for oil and the other a documentary on the process of refining crude oil to the final products. The small scale model of the refinery station was brilliant.
All the information was also presented on display boards. A compact display just enough to satisfy your curiosity and not too much to bore. Even to the non scientifically inclined.
Then we walked over to the cafe and had fish and chips served by a very cheerful lady behind the counter. Pity about the coffee which was not good at all, but excellent value for the very large piece of fish and chips at $10 a serve.
The cafe primarily served the workers and the refinery operated seven days a week and round the clock.
An educational excursion for everyone.
Entry was free and the lady at the front desk was very helpful and friendly.
There were two short video presentation one on searching and drilling for oil and the other a documentary on the process of refining crude oil to the final products. The small scale model of the refinery station was brilliant.
All the information was also presented on display boards. A compact display just enough to satisfy your curiosity and not too much to bore. Even to the non scientifically inclined.
Then we walked over to the cafe and had fish and chips served by a very cheerful lady behind the counter. Pity about the coffee which was not good at all, but excellent value for the very large piece of fish and chips at $10 a serve.
The cafe primarily served the workers and the refinery operated seven days a week and round the clock.
An educational excursion for everyone.
Written 16 July 2016
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.
Bous13
Takapuna, New Zealand34 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We've seen the development over the years of the Marsden Point refinery and never had the time to check it out before. I'd never even looked it up in Trip Advisor, but knew we should visit it sometime. It's so fascinating that everyone should make sure they take a trip here, if they are in the area.
After all it's free too!
We take for granted how we obtain our fuels, so essential to our modern day lives and this is a great example of good business decisions being made, to benefit us all.
This is a must for anyone interested in chemistry, physics or engineering, to see the a practical application of these disciplines. I'm a firm believer is starting with the end in mind when you're looking at choosing a career.
Prior to our trip north, we'd been wondering how petrol got to Auckland and this visit answered all our questions! By the way, 40% of the refinery output travels by pipeline to Auckland!
The refinery model is unexpectantly huge, and very detailed!
Sadly, in this day and age, much of this type of work is done with computer models, which are not nearly so interesting or visible, as an educational tool, as this display is.
There's plenty of information available for visitors, including two well constructed video documentaries.
Great school project material here too.
After all it's free too!
We take for granted how we obtain our fuels, so essential to our modern day lives and this is a great example of good business decisions being made, to benefit us all.
This is a must for anyone interested in chemistry, physics or engineering, to see the a practical application of these disciplines. I'm a firm believer is starting with the end in mind when you're looking at choosing a career.
Prior to our trip north, we'd been wondering how petrol got to Auckland and this visit answered all our questions! By the way, 40% of the refinery output travels by pipeline to Auckland!
The refinery model is unexpectantly huge, and very detailed!
Sadly, in this day and age, much of this type of work is done with computer models, which are not nearly so interesting or visible, as an educational tool, as this display is.
There's plenty of information available for visitors, including two well constructed video documentaries.
Great school project material here too.
Written 12 June 2016
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.
spuds6
Auckland Central, New Zealand93 contributions
One year and over one million dollars worth of work on a model exact to the last valve. Fantastic job done on it and the very informative documentary. Shreds we light on the source of the fuel we used driving to the plant which we so often take for granted. A must to visit if passing on your travels. So glad we did.
Written 1 July 2014
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.
santo t
Auckland, New Zealand7,459 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Most of the car drivers or owners only know the petrol or diesel oil coming from crude oil, and do not know how exactly is the process of this.
Visiting this Visitor Centre (Free admission) will hugely expand their knowledge, specially for a lot of young people who fanatically love their cars.
A huge display of a small scale model, with lot of lights (as markers - on and off depend on the story of the film), under a big screen is the main attraction of this visitor centre. Approx 20 minutes long film will be shown free for visitors. The whole detailed process from Crude oil processed to finally resulted different products such as Petrol, Jet Oil, Diesel Oil, Asphalt and Sulfur for fertilizer will expand the knowledge of the visitors. Worth to visit as a general educational tool.
Visiting this Visitor Centre (Free admission) will hugely expand their knowledge, specially for a lot of young people who fanatically love their cars.
A huge display of a small scale model, with lot of lights (as markers - on and off depend on the story of the film), under a big screen is the main attraction of this visitor centre. Approx 20 minutes long film will be shown free for visitors. The whole detailed process from Crude oil processed to finally resulted different products such as Petrol, Jet Oil, Diesel Oil, Asphalt and Sulfur for fertilizer will expand the knowledge of the visitors. Worth to visit as a general educational tool.
Written 15 June 2014
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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