Warbirds over Wanaka, a premier standard international air show in Wanaka is held every two years on even-numbered years , and over Easter weekend. The event takes place at Wanaka Airport, located in the vicinity of the village of Wanaka.

The groundbreaking show was the initiative of aviation enthusiast Tim Wallis and initially featured Wallis’ collection of vintage World War II era aircrafts. From these rather modest beginnings Warbirds over Wanaka has developed steadily to be the noteworthy event it is today, although Wallis’ Alpine Fighter Collection has traditionally been the nucleus of the show. A bewildering assortment of antique and modern aircrafts arrives at the venue for this important aviation event. Additionally many luminaries in the aviation field regularly attend the show, with recent visitors including the likes of Buzz Aldrin and General Chuck Yeager. The success of the show is underscored by the multitude who attends it, with presently as many as 65,000 visitors congregating at the site.

Historically the show has featured such categories as Post-World War II, World War II, World War I and non-military airplanes. Highlights from 2010 included F/A-18 Hornet fighters, one of the world’s most advanced aircrafts and the World War II era Japanese Zero fighter.  As expected future editions of the show will showcase some of the world’s most impressive warplanes alongside the old warriors from years gone by as Warbirds over Wanaka has consistently done in the past.

An ideal option for accommodation in Queenstown for Warbirds over Wanaka is the Millennium Hotel Queenstown, offering quality accommodation and providing excellent facilities and service.