MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
With changing exhibitions and school holiday experiences, unique events and live activities, MOTAT is a great place to explore, discover and spark imaginations. MOTAT has a broad collection showcasing technology and ingenuity of Aotearoa New Zealand. Loved by families and an intergenerational experience, there is something for all to enjoy. Experience past, present and future technology and ingenuity through interactive exhibitions, see the original Pumphouse, stroll through the historic village and enjoy a ride on a heritage tram. Our Aviation Hall houses one of the largest aviation collections in the Southern Hemisphere. MOTAT is known as one of Auckland’s best value attractions. A Family pass is just $45 for two adults and up to 4 children aged 5-15 years. Under 5s enter for free. Entry to both our museum spaces is included in your ticket purchase and our free heritage tram service transports you between the two. Go to MOTAT.NZ to find out what’s on and help to plan your visit.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • ITRT
    38,566 contributions
    Ideal for Families
    As the name implies, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) has exhibits on transportation and technology. It’s the largest such museum in New Zealand. If you are interested in vintage, trains, planes, cars, and technology, then this is a must visit. The Pumphouse, historic Village, model railway, firehouse, and autos are some of the interesting areas. There are many hands-on experiences for children. One of the favorites of the children seemed to be using the working rotary phones. Code Breakers exhibit celebrates women who were involved in the development of the gaming industry. The steam engine on display was once used to supply clean water to residents. Once you have finished this part of the transportation museum, a tram goes from MOTAT to an aviation warehouse to see all types of planes. A great family activity.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 11 April 2023
  • An1ta069
    Melbourne, Australia165 contributions
    Not the same without kids
    Being so close to the Auckland Zoo, decided to stop at MOTAT on our way back to our Hotel during our stay in Auckland. Interesting displays, loved the old technology (lots of childhood memories), the pump house, and the trams. I think if we had kids, this would have been a better experience.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 September 2023
  • The Winded Traveller
    48 contributions
    Disappointing
    A little disappointing. The aircraft display was the best part but was still missing stories and information. Would have been nice to see the inside of a plane. The other part of the museum is definitely lacking. No trains. Trams you can’t go in or vehicles. Couldn’t even go in the signal station. Definitely missing the mark. Wouldn’t be a bad stop for kids. The active tram line was neat.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 December 2023
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4.5
847 reviews
Excellent
424
Very good
292
Average
94
Poor
26
Terrible
11

The Winded Traveller
48 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A little disappointing. The aircraft display was the best part but was still missing stories and information. Would have been nice to see the inside of a plane.
The other part of the museum is definitely lacking. No trains. Trams you can’t go in or vehicles. Couldn’t even go in the signal station. Definitely missing the mark. Wouldn’t be a bad stop for kids. The active tram line was neat.
Written 1 December 2023
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.

Robbo777
Auckland Central, New Zealand37 contributions
Nov 2023
Took my 13 year daughter to MOTAT - she'd never been. We had such a good time, the lady at the front desk advised that we'd need a couple of hours to visit both sites, but we spent half a day just at one! Highly recommend to anyone interested in history, technology and/or how society has changed. Really interactive and interesting experience for kids too, my easily-distracted daughter was highly engaged throughout.
We also visited the cafe which had a carefully thought-out selection at food at very reasonable prices.
We'll be back for another visit soon!
Written 25 November 2023
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.

magistros
Glyfada, Greece1,701 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
This is a great place to see a lovely collection of historic airplanes. One of the members of the staff is very friendly and eager to explain the airplanes and their history. There are some other buildings on the historic grounds of Auckland where you can see old church and school as well as early pilgrim’s houses.

Written 10 November 2023
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.

Liv
Wellington, New Zealand222 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Today my husband, six year old daughter and I explored MOTAT and were very impressed.

There is so much to see from old cars, trains, planes, trams, plus all old school technology (my daughter was very enlightened) and there is a cool olden days village to explore (although some were closed).

There is also this educational dome tent (looks like it could get very hot in summer) with heaps of staff running cool games to get kids interested in technology. Our daughter was really into this (which surprised us as it didn't seem like her thing) and we had to drag her away after a while.

There is a nice cafe here which wasn't overpriced.

You can then take the tram to the aviation museum which has heaps of old planes and a cool video about NZ's aviation history (it wasn't lame, it was actually really well done) and there were some kid activities too.

MOTAT is definitely a must visit. Not too pricey entry and there is heaps for both adults and kids to enjoy.
Written 2 October 2023
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.

An1ta069
Melbourne, Australia165 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Being so close to the Auckland Zoo, decided to stop at MOTAT on our way back to our Hotel during our stay in Auckland.
Interesting displays, loved the old technology (lots of childhood memories), the pump house, and the trams.
I think if we had kids, this would have been a better experience.
Written 12 September 2023
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.

Crazyfornewzealand
Palmerston North, New Zealand110 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Very cool place with lots to look at from a tram ride to the aircraft hanger, old technology, interactive stuff for the kids, working steam engines etc. Very enjoyable
Written 5 July 2023
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.

2CAtravelers
Brattleboro, VT876 contributions
Mar 2023
This museum houses some nice collections of transport and technology and is the main location. It's a large outdoor setting with numerous building which house the collections and exhibits. There is plenty to do and see for both children and adults. Off to one side is a collection of old wooden buildings surrounded by grass and with many picnic benches in the shade. There are plenty of rest rooms and food is available as well. Don't miss taking the old train line up to their other building which houses their airplane and helicopter exhibit. Just pay attention to the train schedule.
FYI, a taxi ride from our hotel in the CBD to the museum was about NZ$22.
Written 1 June 2023
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.

ITRT
Virginia38,566 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
As the name implies, the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) has exhibits on transportation and technology. It’s the largest such museum in New Zealand. If you are interested in vintage, trains, planes, cars, and technology, then this is a must visit. The Pumphouse, historic Village, model railway, firehouse, and autos are some of the interesting areas. There are many hands-on experiences for children. One of the favorites of the children seemed to be using the working rotary phones. Code Breakers exhibit celebrates women who were involved in the development of the gaming industry. The steam engine on display was once used to supply clean water to residents. Once you have finished this part of the transportation museum, a tram goes from MOTAT to an aviation warehouse to see all types of planes. A great family activity.
Written 11 April 2023
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.

Roger E
62 contributions
Dec 2022
Brilliant facility, with a number of exhibuition halls - one for a wet day, certainly.
We parked out near the aviation hall and spent ages in there - the Bomber Command display is very informative and they have a complete Lancaster bomber as well as a number of other aircraft.
We caught the tram to the main site and spent another couple of hours in there - we didn't see it all, by any means. The telecoms, IT and Motoring halls are very interesting, as is the pumphouse. It was great to see the examples of personal computing/gaming all laid out.
Written 9 January 2023
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.

Martin B
Exeter, UK45 contributions
Jan 2023
The history and real life living experience is amazing. Bringing the past back to life, is so important that we undserstand how things used to be and the great creative inventions that have helped create the world we live in today
Written 9 January 2023
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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MOTAT - MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM


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