10 History Museums in Canterbury Region That You Shouldn't Miss

October 22, 2021 Christa Meece

Christchurch, the Garden City, and the Canterbury region are the perfect destination for daredevils. From northern Kaikoura to Waimate in the south, Canterbury is an adventure sports paradise. Hangliding, helibiking, bungee jumping, snowboarding, jetboating, rafting and skydiving get the adrenaline going. Golfing, flightseeing, swimming with dolphins and soaking in thermal pools are more laid-back temptations. Christchurch, a city of parks and gardens, is the country’s third largest urban area.
Restaurants in Canterbury Region

1. The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum

62 Maronan Road Tinwald, Ashburton 7778 New Zealand +64 3-308 9600 [email protected] http://www.plainsrailway.co.nz
Excellent
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Good
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5.0 based on 14 reviews

The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum

The Plains Railway & Historical Museum was founded by the Ashburton Railway & Preservation Society in 1971 to preserve the Mid-Canterbury regions past. This is home to Historic Steam Loco's: Ja1260, K88 and A64 plus a collection of shunters. A 2.5 kilometre vintage railway features amongst a recreated village, complete with replica and authentic buildings and a vast rural history display ranging from horse drawn gigs and wagons to tractors. Open days commence from September to May, check our Website or Facebook page for operating days/hours and prices. Entry to the Complex is via Donation. Working Voluntary Members are onsite 6 days a week, and will show you through the complex if its not an official operating day. Also onsite is The Ashburton Fire Museum which has the largest Private Collection of Vintage Fire Vehicles/Equipment and more in NZ. Find us on Facebook: The Plains Railway & Historical Museum

Reviewed By MrBubbles07 - Christchurch, New Zealand

Great little heritage railway with beautiful locomotives, lots of other machinery and displays to see

2. Geraldine Historical Museum

5 Cox Street, Geraldine 7930 New Zealand
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Geraldine Historical Museum

The Geraldine Historical Museum is based around the historical town Board office building. We record and display the history of the Geraldine area, with an emphasis on personalising the area’s history through life-sized photographs and feature boards highlighting the deeds of pioneers and those who made history in the area. We also undertake family research and record oral histories.

3. Canterbury Museum

11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch 8013 New Zealand +64 3-366 5000 [email protected] http://www.canterburymuseum.com/
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
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4.5 based on 2,769 reviews

Canterbury Museum

Free entry (donations appreciated) where you can experience New Zealand's rich cultural and natural history. See rare Maori artefacts and more than 1,000 paua shells adorning the walls of the famous Paua Shell House. Walk down the Christchurch Street and be transported back in time with the sights and sounds of the city's pioneering days. Discover one of the world's most significant collections from the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery. Regular temporary exhibitions.

Reviewed By pancj2018 - Lima, Peru

This is a terrific local/regional museum. It has one of the best Maori exhibits in all of New Zealand, which in itself is enough to justify a visit. They have an excellent discussion of jade/nephrite, which can be very helpful for future shopping, as well as wonderful presentations of Maori art and material culture. They also have traditional natural history exhibitions of NZ birds and wildlife which we found highly informative. I spent my career working in a natural history museum and found the Canterbury Museum a good representative of the type. Admission is free!

4. Fairlie Heritage Museum

47-49 Mount Cook Road, Fairlie 7925 New Zealand +64 3-684 4809 http://fairlieheritagemuseum.co.nz/
Excellent
67%
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4.5 based on 18 reviews

Fairlie Heritage Museum

5. Kurow Museum and Information Centre

57 Bledisloe Street Beside the Blue and Yellow Pub, Kurow 9435 New Zealand +(64)4360950 [email protected] http://www.kurow.org.nz
Excellent
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4.5 based on 30 reviews

Kurow Museum and Information Centre

Reviewed By jonhenryDuntroon - Whangarei, New Zealand

Knowing Kurow well back during the building of the Benmor Dam, decided to take a drive up there. Very friendly staff, and the museum is well worth a look.

6. Kaikoura Museum

96 West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand +64 3-319 7440 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/kaikouramuseum/
Excellent
60%
Good
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Satisfactory
7%
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4.5 based on 137 reviews

Kaikoura Museum

A new state-of-the-art museum experience showcasing Kaikoura’s diverse natural, cultural and social history. We also have research facilities for historians and those interested in family histories of the district.

Reviewed By Nomes00 - Christchurch, New Zealand

Well worth a visit to see the earthquake exhibition as well as lots of other fascinating Kaikoura treasures. Very reasonably priced at $12/ adult. The lady at the front desk went out of her way to make sure my 3 year old had a great time with an i-spy activity.

7. Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

3 Hereford St Level 1, Christchurch New Zealand +64 3-369 5025 http://www.arts.canterbury.ac.nz/logie
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Reviewed By milliesmum2016 - Christchurch, New Zealand

I didn't even know of the existence of this little museum which houses exhibits from the Logie Collection held by the University of Canterbury. It just takes up one room in the Old Chemistry Building at the Arts Centre but is really worth visiting as the classical exhibits are first class and quite exciting. The host on duty this morning was pleasant and well versed in her field and there is a free activity station or visiting children. AND - one final attraction always very dear to my heart when travelling - a very salubrious public toilet just across the hallway. I parked in the free car park off Armagh St in the Botanical Gardens and walked through. It takes minutes and is a very pretty walk. Entrance is by koha or donation and you can even donate by eftpos so there's no dodging it!

8. Ferrymead Heritage Park

50 Ferrymead Park Drive, Christchurch 8022 New Zealand +64 3-384 1970 [email protected] http://www.ferrymead.org.nz/
Excellent
43%
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43%
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Poor
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4.0 based on 150 reviews

Ferrymead Heritage Park

Ferrymead Park features an early 1900s (Edwardian) township and the park has a variety of restored cottages plus a school house, church and businesses which reflect the period and allow visitors to experience life for the early residents of Christchurch including the smell of a coal range and the sounds of a tram rattling past the door.

Reviewed By craigieb16 - Christchurch, New Zealand

Haven’t been to ferrymead for a few years, always a great afternoon exploring the park, be sure to visit curragh House!.

9. Akaroa Museum

71 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand +64 3-304 1013 http://www.akaroamuseum.org.nz/
Excellent
42%
Good
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4.0 based on 255 reviews

Akaroa Museum

Reviewed By cybersuezee - Mangawhai, New Zealand

Well worth a visit. A donation is required for entry. Included is the old courthouse building (where you can watch an informative doco on Banks Peninsula) and an original settler's cottage (unrestored). Museum is well laid out with lots of interesting exhibits and information.

10. Little River Rail Station

State Highway 75, Christchurch To Akaroa Road, Little River State Highway 75, Little River New Zealand +64 3-325 1320 http://www.railheritage.org.nz/Register/Listing.aspx
Excellent
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4.0 based on 29 reviews

Little River Rail Station

Reviewed By MelbourneKaz

I bought some beautiful coriedale wool in the shop and would recommend getting your gifts there to support local artisans and bring some dollars into the community. It's a nice place to visit.

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