Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre

1558 Waimea Highway, Mandeville, Southland 9776 New Zealand

4
Photos

Budget

Closed Now

Opens Mon 10a

Independent
No Wifi

“In rural Southland, New Zealand, lies one of the country’s gems. At Mandeville the golden age of flight, the 1920s and 30s, can be relived.”

See the craft of vintage aircraft being restored at the Croydon Aircraft company. Visit the fully restored and operational aircraft in the Croydon Aviation Heritage Museum and learn about some of our early aviators.

The Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre houses mostly aircraft from the 1920s and 30s, including the largest collection of de Havilland aircraft in the southern hemisphere. It is unique in that nearly all of the aircraft on display actually fly.

This nationally significant museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating New Zealand’s civil aviation heritage – both the stories of pioneer aviators and their equally colourful machines.

Essential for completing your Mandeville Experience is a flight in one of our vintage aircraft. Croydon Air Services provide joyrides and scenic flights for anyone wishing to adventure back in time to the golden years of flight.

Within the Mandeville precinct is the historic former Mandeville Railway hotel building, significant in that during prohibition (early 1900s) Mandeville was “wet”, while Mandeville was “dry”, making the railway hotel a popular “watering hole”.

It now houses the Miss Cocoa Coffee Cafe, and is open during daytime hours for tasty meals and treats. It also caters for special events.

Money For Wine is within the same building adjacent to the cafe, and stocks children’s and women’s clothing as well as funky homewares.