29th, 30th, 31st March 2024
Three days of high-octane aviation excitement at Warbirds Over Wanaka International at Wanaka Airport, New Zealand.The scenery this show is set in is spectacular! Renowned for its stunning mountains, lakes and wilderness, this natural amphitheatre provides a stunning backdrop for the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow.
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After speaking with airshow organisers – there are some amazing aircraft potentially coming to Wanaka in 2024. Not wanting to jump the gun, the most cryptic comment was “there will be some mind blowing displays including a few types of overseas noisy ones!“
- By the time Easter 2024 rolls around it will be six years between airshows at Wanaka
- Warbirds Over Wanaka is New Zealand’s premier airshow and is the largest airshow of its type in the Southern Hemisphere
- First airshow was staged in 1988 and today attracts around 55,000 people from around the world
- Is world famous for the stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps
- Most of the major displays are still to be confirmed but organisers are thrilled to announce that the last RNZAF P-51 Mustang in New Zealand will make it’s airshow debut at Wanaka Easter 2024. This aircraft has not flown since 1957 and has recently undergone a major restoration.
- The RNZAF will be on hand at Wanaka with a range of aircraft and organisers are hoping that as usual the RAAF and USAF will also have participating aircraft on the flightline.
- There’s also heaps to see and do on the ground with a new feature for 2024 being a “Future of Aviation” exhibition with a number of leading aviation companies showing off the work they’re doing as part of their journey to reduce carbon emissions. One of the world’s first autonomous electric air taxis will also be on display.
While the aircraft are the main focus of their event, there are a lot of other displays on the ground which have made this show so successful over the past 33 years.
The amazing pyrotechnics, the Warhorse re-enactor groups, the aircraft for sale and other exhibitors will all be back to make 2024 a truly unforgettable experience for everyone. Airshow Travel has tickets on sale already- public will be early July when they will also be able to announce their first confirmed acts.
Friday is the practice day while Saturday & Sunday are the main show days with over 100 display aircraft expected to be participating, together with mock airfield attacks supported by ground theatre and pyrotechnics. There’s something for everyone with a Kid’s Fun Zone, classic cars, food and stalls selling everything except the kitchen sink!
The R.N.Z.A.F and R.A.A.F.
The talented Royal New Zealand Air Force will be again in support sending one or more Texan’s from the Black Falcon formation aerobatics team, flying alongside the C-130 Hercules (in what could be 40 Squadron’s last airshow display) the Kiwi Blue Parachute Team, the NH-90 and 109 helicopters and the newly arrived P-8 Poseidon.
Also in attendance and display will be the U.S.A.F General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and the C-17 Globemaster. We may even be lucky enough to see the accompanying flying gas station – the KC-135 Tanker.
The R.A.A.F. could also be a surprise guest with perhaps their F-35 Joint Strike Fighters?
In 1988, aviation entrepreneur and pioneer Tim (now Sir Tim) Wallis presented an airshow and country fair that attracted 14,000 visitors to Wanaka airport. With its overwhelming success and growth over the years, the show is now a biennial event over the long Easter weekend.
As the show grew, so did its support and aircraft attendance (national and international). The show now boasts around 50,000 spectators and is claimed to be the largest warbird airshow in the Southern Hemisphere. This is one event not to be missed!
Over the years they’ve had the local and national warbirds favourites: a Hawker Hurricane, P-51 Mustangs, Spitfires, a Japanese Zero, one of the original Messerschmitt 109s from the “Battle of Britain” film, Russian Polikarpovs, Yak-3s, a Catalina, Corsair, Kittyhawks and more! Accompanying them were a range of WWI aircraft from Sopwith Camels and Pups, Bristols to Fokkers.
Along with the aircraft, organisers are also reviewing all the ground displays to ensure that 2024 presents an absolute must for everyone.
Sport aircraft, including gyrocopters, RANS, Piper Cubs, Hornets, replicas and percentage scale aircraft will be displayed on the ground along with a various range of other aircraft from all eras.
Scrumptious food and beverages are available with Central Otago delicacies and the Region’s Wine and Beer. Over 40 food stalls with a huge variety of offerings and of course the real coffees.
Hospitality tents and stalls will also be back offering a great selection of food and drinks alongside Aviation trade stands – offering everything from headsets and avionics to aviation software, Boeing navigation solutions, aviation tours and aviation safety. If you’re in aviation come and find out what’s new, where you could be adding value to your aircraft.
Since the first Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow in 1988, military vehicles have been an integral part of the airshow, forming an interactive display with the aircraft stars. In 1996 the “Warhorses at Wanaka” group was formed, covering all interests in the field of military vehicles. Now the group also involves historical re-enactments giving the military vehicles the image of the time in history to which they belonged. Re-enactment enthusiasts come from all over New Zealand with authentic uniforms and weapons to give the restored vehicles a touch of realism. Watch their mighty 25-pounder guns when they display at lunchtime on the runway. It is hoped the Warhorse display will bring back memories of the past and be a learning experience to the young generations, lucky enough to not have had the experience of war.
Our favourite re-enactors are once again displaying vehicles, armaments, uniforms, tanks, jeeps, trucks and guns from WWI and WWII. See them near the main airport gate and on the runway at lunchtime.
Ever wanted to experience and feel what its like to be in one of these aircraft? Aircraft available for rides will once again be posted here nearer the 2024 Airshow.
Warbird Flights
During the weekend you’ll also have the opportunity to take a ride in many warbirds … imagine yourself in the passenger seat of a P-51 Mustang, a P-40 Kittyhawk, or Avro Anson. See below:
- T-6 Harvard or Tiger Moth – Bevan: 0275534363
- DC3 Dakota – Jess: 0274382297
- L-39 Albatros Jet – Craig: 021732737
- Avro Anson – Bill: 0273375258
- P-51 Mustang – Graham: 0272225558
- Yak-3 “Full Noise” – Graeme: 021 141 0099
Warbirds Adventure Flights
NZ Warbirds on 09 298 9207 or email office@nzwarbirds.org.nz
We have access to dozens of motels and resorts in the Wanaka and Queenstown area according to budget. We can also easily add on domestic and international flights from your home city as well.
A few options are highlighted below, but please contact us for a quote – we can tailor a part or full package to your needs.
Queenstown Packages
Package includes: Queenstown airport pick up/drop off and 5-day car rental, 4 nights City View studio apartment 4-star accommodation in central Queenstown and a 3-day GOLD pass to the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow.
Gold Pass Packages start from $1,109 per person
Silver Pass Packages start from $979 per person
General Admission Packages start from $889 per person
Upgrade to a Lake View with balcony studio room for an extra $55 per person!
Have a group or family?
Two bedroom lake View Apartment Packages
Package includes: Queenstown airport pick up/drop off and 5-day car rental, 2-bedroom lake view apartment 4 star accommodation in central Queenstown and a 3-day GOLD pass to the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow.
Gold Pass Packages start from $939 per person
Silver Pass Packages start from $819 per person
General Admission Packages start from $719 per person
Wanaka Packages
Package includes: Queenstown airport pick up/drop off and 5-day car rental, 4 nights accommodation in Wanaka and a 3-day GOLD pass to the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow.
Gold Pass Packages start from $1,355 per person
Silver Pass Packages start from $1,239 per person
General Admission Packages start from $1,149 per person
(above is a guide only, based on twin share, King bed)
Individual Ticket Prices
A range of ticket options are available from the general Admission tickets to the incredible Gold Pass experience (well worth it!).
A Three-day Gold Pass gives you the best seats at the Airshow in a grandstand situated directly in front of the runway, souvenir programme, gold cap, badge, priority parking and food is available with wine, spirits and beer, to be purchased from a cash bar.
Complimentary tea, coffee and water are available and breakfast may be purchased from 7.30am. This area has its own facilities with closed circuit television to watch the airshow. Also a voucher for free entry to the Warbirds and Wheels visitor attraction (vintage cars, warbirds, art and our Founder, Sir Tim Wallis’ story). Mingle with some pilots, get autographs and walk the flightline once on the Saturday or Sunday.