- This page was last modified on 9 August 2025, at 07:45. Suggest an edit.
National Transport & Toy Museum facts for kids
Some of the classic cars and fire trucks at the National Transport and Toy Museum
|
|
| Former name | Wanaka Transport Museum (1995-1999), Wanaka Transport and Toy Museum (1999–2009) |
|---|---|
| Established | December 26, 1995 |
| Location | Wānaka, New Zealand |
| Type | [[Transport museum](Toy museum)] |
| Founder | Gerald Rhodes |
The National Transport and Toy Museum is a super cool place in Wānaka, New Zealand. It's one of the biggest private collections in the Southern Hemisphere! Imagine seeing over 650 vehicles, 23 airplanes, and a whopping 100,000 toys. Plus, there are thousands of other interesting items. This amazing museum is owned and run by just one family. You can find it right next to the Wānaka Airport on State Highway 6.
Contents
What Can You See at the Museum?
The main building of the museum holds a big part of the toy collection. You can find a huge collection of Star Wars toys and cool stuff. There's also a display of Barbie dolls from different years. You'll see classic toys made of wood and metal, along with teddy bears and porcelain dolls. Before you leave, check out the toy shop at the entrance. It sells lots of modern toys and models.
Explore Amazing Vehicles and Aircraft
The museum has many large hangars where vehicles and aircraft are shown. These hangars are filled with all sorts of transport. You can see cars, airplanes, and airport ground support vehicles. There are also construction vehicles and farm machines. Look out for farm tractors, fire engines, and military vehicles. You'll also find motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds. Don't miss the pickups, trucks, and even horse-drawn vehicles. There are marine vehicles and many other unique vehicles too!
Outdoor Displays and Fun Zones
Outside the buildings, the displays keep going! You'll see machinery that is being fixed up. There's a long line of tractors and farming equipment. The museum also has fun indoor and outdoor play areas. You can try out adult-sized pedal cars. There's a special play area for kids. Plus, you can even sit in and move some anti-aircraft guns!
History of the Museum
The person who started this amazing collection is Gerald Rhodes. He began collecting things way back in the 1950s in Christchurch. Wānaka was chosen as the perfect spot for the museum. This was because of its dry weather and its location near the Wānaka Airport. It's also right on the main road, State Highway 6. Building the museum started in 1994. The museum first opened its doors to visitors on Boxing Day, December 26, 1995.
How the Museum Grew
When the museum first opened, it had two buildings. These were called The Main building and The Hangar. As Gerald's collection grew bigger, more buildings were needed. In April 2004, a large building called "The Fire Station" was built. It was 1440 square meters! In 2005, Hangar 2 was added, which was even bigger at 2000 square meters. More recently, in 2023, a huge 2600 square meter Marquee was put up.
Changing Names Over Time
When the museum first opened, it was known as the Wanaka Transport Museum. As the toy collection became larger, its name changed. It became the Wanaka Transport & Toy Museum. Then, in 2010, it got its current name. Today, it is proudly called the National Transport and Toy Museum.
External Links
- The National Transport and Toy Museum official site: https://www.nttmuseumwanaka.co.nz/