Did you know that Melbourne is home to the Australian National Aviation Museum in Moorabbin? It’s a must-do for young plane and aviation fans!
The Aviation Museum is located within Moorabbin Airport and is a volunteer-run organisation.
There’s a lot of detail for true fans and you could spend hours there. But I suspect most kids will most enjoy what Baby 2.0 did – climbing in and out of plane cockpits!
There are restored vintage planes inside several hangers….
…. as well as outside, so it’s best to visit in good weather so that you can visit all the planes.
The planes which are you’re allowed to enter are clearly marked as they have removable staircases parked alongside them for access.
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin https://www.stay22.com/embed/gm?aid=60220b7b066abf0017530955&address=National%20Aviation%20Museum,%20Moorabbin&checkin=&markerimage=https://tothotornot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/tot-hot-or-not-melbourne.png&maincolor=83e3ab&fontcolor=FFFFFF&campaign=&zoom=14&hidebrandlogo=true
There’s also a flight simulator inside the main hanger but it doesn’t excite Baby 2.0 as much as all the knobs and dials of the REAL planes.
There’s a lot of scope for imaginative plane inside the plane cockpits – as long as you visit when it’s not busy. As only one, maybe two people can be inside the cockpit at any time during busy periods you’ll find long lines waiting to enter. Also the staircases are for entry and exit, which makes access trickier during busy times.
As such, while the Aviation Museum holds popular Family Open Cockpit Weekends during the year, I recommend you visit OUTSIDE of those times to enjoy a calm visit.
After your visit you reenter the main building where you’ll find plane toys and other memorabilia for sale. The toilets are also close by.
The Aviation Museum is best for kids 3-8 years – young enough to still get a kick out of imagining themselves as a pilot while old enough to climb stairs and look out the cockpit windows without assistance. While you can push a pram around you won’t be able to enter any planes without carrying your child.
If you’re looking for more plane experiences check out the playgrounds at Williams Landing, Lance Reichstein Reserve Braybrook, St Kilda Adventure Playground and the Aeroplane Park in Tarneit. There’s also a RAAF Museum in Point Cook.
