Excursion Mandeville scenic vintage flight tour at bluff

Experience the history of flight in New Zealand in a unique new way during this scenic and exciting, full-day excursion to Mandeville and Gore.

Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre, which houses mostly aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s, including an extensive collection of de Havilland aircraft. It is unique in that nearly all of the aircraft on display actually fly. This nationally-ranked museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating New Zealand's civil aviation heritage; both the stories of pioneer aviators, and their equally colourful machines.

Vintage Aircraft Flight over Mandeville, Museum Tour, Hangar Visit

Meet your pilot and receive your safety and flight instructions, then board a De Havilland 89 Dragon Rapide/Dominie vintage aircraft for a panoramic and exhilarating, approximately 15-minute flight over Mandeville. As well as your scenic flight, take an informative guided museum tour, including access to the hangar in which aircraft currently being restored are held. Here, you may see staff working on these aircraft.

Gore, Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Guided Tour and Old Hokonui Whisky Tasting

Re-board your coach and continue on to Gore, one of the main hubs in Southland and the official home of country music in New Zealand. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to explore your surrounds at your leisure. You can visit the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. During a self-guided visit, learn about Gore's colourful past as a centre for illicit whisky distilling. Afterwards, proceed for a tasting of Old Hokonui, which is made with the original recipe, and/or even take a bottle home with you.

Eastern Southland Gallery

If you are an art lover, you may also visit the Eastern Southland Gallery, nicknamed the 'Goreggenheim'. The gallery has a formidable collection for a small town the size of Gore. The museum features the international art collection of expatriate New Zealander Dr John Money, and a large body of artwork by leading contemporary New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1-1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre, Vintage Aircraft Flight, Museum, Hangar, Gore, Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Tour & Tasting, Eastern Southland Gallery

Note

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 765 yards (about 700 metres), at times over uneven and gravel surfaces, with three-five steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and board/de-board the aircraft. This tour is not suitable for guests with a fear of heights, guests prone to airsickness, guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, a weatherproof jacket and local currency for purchases from the ship. Guests weighing more than 264 pounds (about 120 kilograms) cannot participate on this tour. The total flight time is approximately 15 minutes. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions, and may be cancelled on short notice. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The coach supply in Bluff is very limited, coaches used are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of larger New Zealand ports.