1 / 3Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre
📍 Mandeville, Southland
A well-loved spot for plane-mad kids and grown-ups, with restored de Havilland aircraft you can get right up close to, a steam train, and a cafe with art and craft displays.
This aircraft collection, souvenir, café and giftshop is a real credit to those with the original vision. They have largely kept to the original concept of celebrating a flying de Havilland heritage collection. It's a bit of a pity though that the collection does not include a de Havilland Mosquito and that the Vampire is not an airworthy example. The Aermacchi trainer, while an RNZAF model, arguably does not belong in the collection because it is not a de Havilland aircraft. It's hard not to have some 'mission creep' with a collection like this though so perhaps some licence should be given to allow it to expand. The other businesses (café, souvenir and giftshop) are very good at supporting the main enterprise. They are very well run and there is a natural tie-up with other vintage machinery (traction engines and locomotives) that are nearby and represented when the Croydon Aviation Heritage Museum has its airshows.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
If your kids (or you) get a kick out of old planes, this one is a lovely spot - you can get right up close to the restored de Havilland aircraft, there's a steam train too, and a cafe with art and craft displays to round it out.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →235 Google reviews
David Bridson
“This aircraft collection, souvenir, café and giftshop is a real credit to those with the original vision. They have largely kept to the original concept of celebrating a flying de Havilland heritage collection. It's a bit of a pity though that the collection does not include a de Havilland Mosquito and that the Vampire is not an airworthy example. The Aermacchi trainer, while an RNZAF model, arguably does not belong in the collection because it is not a de Havilland aircraft. It's hard not to have some 'mission creep' with a collection like this though so perhaps some licence should be given to allow it to expand. The other businesses (café, souvenir and giftshop) are very good at supporting the main enterprise. They are very well run and there is a natural tie-up with other vintage machinery (traction engines and locomotives) that are nearby and represented when the Croydon Aviation Heritage Museum has its airshows.”
Geoff C
“What a gem of an aviation museum with a fabulous cafe and arts and craft hub. You can arrive by car or plane (as we did) with a very well manicured grass strip. Will have to go for a spin in the Tiger Moth next visit.”
Michael Schneider
“Thank you Ben and all the team at the Croydon Aviation Heritage museum. I've always loved the de Havilland aircraft, and have built and flown a few RC models of them, but today I finally got to enjoy ther real thing.”
Kat Poulish
“Amazing close ups of old aircraft. And an old steam train. If these are your thing then we'll worth a visit.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
If old aircraft light up your kids (or you), this de Havilland collection lets you get right up close to the restored planes instead of squinting over a rope. There's a steam train too, and a cafe with art and craft displays for when little legs need a sit-down. The paths are pram-friendly, and if anyone's feeling brave you can even book a flight in a Tiger Moth.