Otago Museums

Otago is a region rich in cultural and natural heritage and as you explore you will find an amazing array of museums, galleries and historic sites that celebrate our past and inspire our future.

An excellent place to start is the Otago Museum's Southern Land, Southern People Gallery - a comprehensive gateway to the natural and human history of the region. This is the place to obtain a wonderful overview and determine the essence of this magnificent part of New Zealand. From there you will be encouraged and inspired to spend more time in the many other quality cultural experiences Otago has to offer.

In the city of Dunedin alone there are a wide variety of 'public collections' easily accessible - from the internationally reputed collections of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, to the fascinating social history of Dunedin at the Otago Settlers Museum. Additionally there is an amazing array of rare books to enjoy at the Dunedin Public Library and the University of Otago Charles Brasch Gallery in the Central Library, and an exceptional collection of New Zealand's written and pictorial heritage at the Hocken Library.

In North Otago you will witness a strong commitment to preservation, from Totara Estate as you near Oamaru, to the superbly redeveloped Historic Precinct close to the town centre. Be sure to enjoy the North Otago Museum and take in the art collection at the Forrester Gallery in this gorgeous township. Head inland to Kurow where a surprising collection of treasures awaits.

Central Otago offers a wealth of culture. Rich in heritage from the goldmining era, truly engaging experiences await at the Lakes District Museum in Arrrowtown, at the Gold Fields Mining Centre near Cromwell and at the Lawrence Area Museum. A delightful selection of small museums and heritage sites can be found as you pass through this beautiful countryside. [Soon enough there will be a new museum to enjoy in Alexandra].

South Otago is well endowed with museums and historic sites worth your time. Follow the Southern Scenic Route and alongside you will find a variety of galleries which can add to your understanding and provide a true sense of how New Zealand came to be as it is. In the heart of the Catlins you will find the Owaka Museum with incredible stories of pioneering kiwis creating a new life.

As you travel around our place, pick up one of the many heritage trail brochures to delve even further into the stories of our region. We welcome you here and hope during your stay you will find a piece of us to take home in your heart.

Southland Museums

Southland people are proud of their heritage for it took people with tenacious spirit and an ability to adapt to make the region what it is today. Exploring the many and varied museums, galleries and heritage places celebrating this spirit of Southland are to be found across the diverse landscape of the province and experiencing and celebrating the past histories along with today's contemporary issues is a great way to start your visit to Southland.

Southland Museum and Art Gallery in Invercargill is the province's principal heritage organisation exhibiting natural, human history and art of the region, changing national and international art exhibitions and Tuatara as part of New Zealand's most successful capture breeding programme of the species. Experience the Subantarctic Islands in the dedicated Roaring 40°S gallery and connect with tangata whenua of the region through the Maori galleries.

Take time, and a picnic, in visiting the Anderson Park Art Gallery in Invercargill, as the gallery is situated in beautiful park settings. Invercargill was once known as the City of Blazes and the newly created Invercargill Fire Museum is also worth a look if you enjoy the history the fire service provides.

Just down the road at Bluff is the Bluff Maritime Museum where a treasure trove of experiences awaits. Take the boat to beautiful Stewart Island where a visit to Rakiura Museum is an unforgettable experience within a cameo of adventure to be found in New Zealand's newest National Park. Travel to Eastern Southland where a rich heritage of new and old is to be found. The Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Eastern Southland Gallery and Money Gallery in the heritage precinct of Gore offer outstanding opportunities to enjoy the history and art of the province and New Zealand. Travel out to Mandeville to experience the extraordinary collection of aircraft at the Croydon Aircraft Museum, perhaps stopping at charming craft and art outlets along the way.

If you travel west out of Invercargill along the Southern Scenic route you'll find a delightful selection of small museums and heritage sites as you drive the coast. In Riverton the Wallace Early Settlers Museum and up the road Tuatapere Bushmen's Museum have collections and stories well worth your time. Follow the route and you will find numerous smaller galleries and museums which explore the spirit of Southland.

There are many heritage trails sprinkled through the province, each of which will enable you to further understand the stories of the Southland region. Experiencing the culture and heritage of Southland will, we are certain, give you something to treasure for the rest of your life. There is nowhere else in the world like Southland.

The museum has several heritage buildings as part of its complex. They include the original Bank of New Zealand premises, the banks stables and one of the towns original bakers ovens. All of these were built circa 1875. The museum also owns and operates Arrowtown’s historic Post Office and the former Arrowtown goldfields jail.

The museum is essentially a social history museum .Its central focus is the gold rush of 1862 but it also covers Maori moa hunters and greenstone gatherers, the Chinese miners, transport and domestic items. Many of the exhibits are ‘hands on’. A special exhibitions gallery displays art or local history exhibitions that constantly change. A research facility has a substantial collection of photographs and family history information.

The museum also provides information on accommodation, local history and walks and is the booking agent for visitor attractions in Queenstown and Arrowtown. The retail area has a wide selection of books, maps and art prints.