Discover Historic Wigram
1.5 hour Guided Walking Tour
Everyone welcome. However, due to tour length and subject we recommend this for ages 12+
Meet inside museum main entrance
All abilities welcome, please read the tour notes below
$10 per person, under 12s free. Bookings essential
Learn all about the fascinating history of Wigram as the birthplace of military aviation with a tour of the air base which once housed more than 2,500 people.
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is located at the former Wigram air base. During this special tour and short documentary screening, you’ll hear from ex-RNZAF personnel who lived and worked on the base and encounter original buildings dating back to the early 1900s.
Tours will run from 10am-11.30am on select dates during Christchurch’s Heritage Festival, 11-27 October.
The Tour
An air force base is essentially a self-contained village with buildings for work, accommodation, houses, and recreational spaces. At its peak in 1943 Base Wigram was home to 2,575 personnel and their families.
Come along to hear some of the many stories linked to the buildings and significant sites that remain on this historic former air base.
Discover Historic Wigram Tours will run from 10am – 11.30am on the following days, during Christchurch’s Heritage Festival 2025:
- Sunday 12 October
- Wednesday 15 October
- Saturday 18 October
- Sunday 19 October
- Wednesday 22 October
- Saturday 25 October
- Sunday 26 October
Please note: There is a maximum number of 15 people per tour. Bookings are essential. The tours will run in fair weather, please have warm clothing in case its cold or windy.
How to book
Bookings are essential. Use the button below to book a spot for yourself or for a group (max 15 people per tour).
The cost is $10 per person. Under 12s are free.
The tour will leave promptly at 10am. If you have booked in advance, please ensure you arrive 10-15mins early so we can process payments and allocate remaining slots to walk ins on the day.
Accessibility Information
Participants in the tour will be moving for approximately 1hr 30min. Rest seating will be available for the first 20 minutes, the remainder of the tour will take place outside where rest seating is unable to be provided. If you have limited mobility and require a mobility aid, you are most welcome, but please ensure that you can be on the move for the full 1hr 30min without a break.
The tour route covers sealed, level surfaces (concrete, footpaths and roads) inside and outside of the museum. There are ramps in for use in some places inside the museum.
Please have warm clothing in case it is cold or windy outside.
