Last updated November 2026
A large twin-boom freighter parked beside State Highway 6 at Woodbourne is a reminder of the decades when Marlborough had its own cargo airline.
The Argosy is an Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, registration ZK-SAE, once flown by the Blenheim-based freight airline Straits Air Freight Express. Its owners describe it as the last of its kind in the world, and it now sits on public display west of Blenheim.
A small museum beside the aircraft holds artefacts from the airline’s flying years. The Argosy Trust looks after the plane, its restoration and the displays, and the Runway Café, a separate business, operates alongside.
Practical Information
- Location
- 760 Middle Renwick Road (State Highway 6), Woodbourne, beside the Runway Café
- Opening hours
- See the Argosy Trust’s visiting page for current hours
- Entry
- Donation asked; see the Argosy Trust’s website
- Managed by
- The Argosy Trust
- Distance
- About 7 km from Blenheim city centre in a straight line
- Status
- Check the Argosy Trust’s website before you go.
About The Argosy
The aircraft’s story begins with Straits Air Freight Express, a company registered in 1950 to fly rail freight across Cook Strait between the railways of the North and South islands. Its main aircraft was the Bristol Freighter, and goods moved between rail wagons and planes on a pallet system the company called “Cargon”. The airline later took a shorter name built from its initials and became a subsidiary of Air New Zealand.
Two Argosies later joined the Bristol fleet, registered ZK-SAE and ZK-SAF. Together the two types gave New Zealand an air freight link around the country and out to the Chatham Islands.
The airline stopped flying in September 1990. Captain Allan Graham made the last landing of ZK-SAE at Woodbourne, and the company carried on as an aircraft maintenance business that later became part of Airbus.
With the Argosies facing the scrapyard, filmmaker Paul Davidson stepped in to keep one. Marlborough Now reports that a scrap dealer had offered to cut the plane up, and that Davidson offered the airline the same amount not to. He also made the documentary The Final Flight about the airline, and over the years he was given artefacts from the airline, which fellow enthusiasts helped him find a home for.
The Argosy Trust describes the plane as the largest aircraft on public display in New Zealand. Davidson’s collection now forms an aviation museum and archive beside the aircraft, which the trust supports with donations.
Visiting the Argosy
A donation is asked to help maintain and preserve the aircraft, and the trust’s website has the current opening hours. The site says groups, aircraft enthusiasts and families are especially welcome, and that visitors can book ahead with the trust for a screening of Argosy documentaries aboard the aircraft.
The museum sits behind the Runway Café on the highway at Woodbourne. The café is run separately from the trust, so contact it directly for its own hours and bookings.
From locals
Is there a museum as well as the plane at the Argosy?
Is it easy to park near the Argosy, or is it tricky pulling off the highway?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Argosy?
On State Highway 6 at Woodbourne, beside the Runway Café, about 7 km west of Blenheim city centre.
When can I see it?
Hours have been reported differently in different places, so check the Argosy Trust’s website for the current times before you go.
Is there an entry charge?
No set charge. A donation is asked to help maintain and preserve the aircraft.
What kind of aircraft is it?
An Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, registration ZK-SAE, one of two the Blenheim freight airline Straits Air Freight Express flew.
Is it really the last one?
The trust and local news coverage both describe it as the last of its kind in the world.
What did the Argosies carry?
Freight around New Zealand and to the Chatham Islands, alongside the airline’s Bristol Freighters.
How was it saved?
When the Argosies faced the scrapyard after the airline stopped flying, filmmaker Paul Davidson stepped in and kept this one at Woodbourne.
Can groups book a visit?
Yes. The trust’s website welcomes groups and offers screenings of Argosy documentaries aboard the aircraft if you book ahead.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- The Argosy Trust: The Marlborough Argosy ZK-SAE: the aircraft, the café alongside and the airline’s story.
- The Argosy Trust: Flights: visiting details, group bookings and documentary screenings aboard the aircraft.
- The Prow: Marlborough Aviation: the region’s aviation history, from early flights to the freight airline and RNZAF Base Woodbourne.