Top Things to do in Otago Region
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10 History Museums in Otago Region That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Otago Region, New Zealand including Whitestone City, Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery, Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead, Owaka Museum and Catlins Information Centre, Fletcher House, Otago Peninsula Museum and Historical Society, Lawrence Information Centre & Museum, The House of Shrek, Waitaki Museum & Archive, Middlemarch Museum.
Restaurants in Otago Region
1. Whitestone City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Learn about our history by taking part in it. Take a tour of the visual tale of our town from the rough-sawn Whitestone beginnings to the polished and finely worked grandeur of our facades that still exist today. Partake of Victorian pastimes or boldly go beyond the curtains to encounter our colourful past. Leisurely repose oneself in the sumptuous surrounds of our parlour.
Reviewed By 13Sue - Auckland, New Zealand
My daughter and I decided to do the Grand tour in Whitestone city. This involved getting dressed up in victorian clothing and being guided around the building by Sandy who provided us with some interesting history of Oamaru as well as snapping photographs of us on our phones. Sandy was very passionate about Oamaru and the history of the area and she spent time ensuring we looked the part which we certainly did! We even attracted a bit of attention as we had our photos taken outside. I loved how we could touch things as we walked around and they even had a Penny Farthing carrousel. I would highly recommend this to dress up fans and history buffs, even those who arent would enjoy this I'm sure. Suitable for all ages.
2. Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 439 reviews
The Lakes District Museum is situated in the heart of picturesque Arrowtown. The museum houses a fantastic collection of artifacts and information about the history of this gorgeous district. Suitable for all ages, the museum is fun for all ages as we take a 'hands-on' approach to our displays. Take a wander around and don't forget to peek into all of the nooks and crannies so that you don't miss anything! The museum is also the Information Centre for Arrowtown and we can help you with any advice that you need about the best way to enjoy Arrowtown and its surrounds.
Reviewed By V6689SDteresas
Well worth the visit. Great exhibits and (obviously) a wealth of information on Arrowtown's history as well as that of gold mining in the area. Nice section on the Chinese settlers, and plenty of artefacts etc from homesteads.
3. Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead is the former home and engineering works of the gifted inventor Earnest Hayes and his family. Explore the 1900’s belt-driven works where significant agricultural inventions were created, including the still-in-use Hayes wire strainer and triplex. See what life was like for those working in the engineering trade and for those who lived in rural NZ. Discover the lives of the Hayes more intimately as you walk through the family Homestead or “the Big House”, where the inventions continued – this periodically restored, 1920’s mudbrick home had electricity, a flushing toilet and even piped radio through the bedrooms! Refresh yourself at Hannah’s Café with freshly made food and espresso coffee or browse our gift shop. Cool drinks and free water available. Hours 10am – 5pm 7 days from September through to May (except Christmas & Boxing Day). Or see the works in action on our Operating Days: Sundays January 3rd, February 7th, March 7th, April 4th 2021.
Reviewed By WellingtonKiwiJo
A stop here for coffee, lunch or the delectable food should also include a wander around the historic engineering works and homestead. It's a wonderful insight into early NZ history and will make you appreciate all of today's modern conveniences! Historic Places staff couldn't have been nicer- well worth your support. If you're cycling the Rail Trail, this is a good spot with super padded seats for comfort while you sup.
4. Owaka Museum and Catlins Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
A great small museum - also with information centre, gallery, shop, library all under one roof to give visitors to The Catlins the best start to their visit.
Reviewed By GSAJ - Blenheim, New Zealand
Called in here to obtain some local information and visit the museum. Museum is definitely well worth visiting to obtain a great understanding of the local history of the early settlers plus the maritime events along the coastline. Art gallery associated with the centre displays some great local talent.
5. Fletcher House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Historic Fletcher House is a fully restored and furnished traditional Edwardian villa located on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin. The villa was built in 1909 as a family home by Sir James Fletcher, a NZ building pioneer, and has since been restored to its former glory and furnished in Edwardian style. The site features a traditional Edwardian garden. It is open for all to enjoy thanks to the Fletcher Challenge Fund and Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Open weekends and public holidays 11.00am - 4.00pm
6. Otago Peninsula Museum and Historical Society
7. Lawrence Information Centre & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By DesH712 - Christchurch, New Zealand
In the first place, the service provided over a couple of days by the woman in the Information Centre was first class: she answered our many questions, told us where to go. what to do, and what to see, and all the while giving us interesting details about the history of the town. Secondly is the museum itself. We spent over two hours looking at the incredibly wide range of exhibits: the gold mining display, the agricultural exhibits, the huge assortment of social history relics ( how often did we say, “I remember one of those”), while the colonists’ portrait gallery was fascinating. The people who have gathered and displayed (and to their credit, labelled) all of this are to be congratulated. And even more impressive, and for which we were short of much time, the amount of archived material on local families, schools, birth and death records, newspaper articles, photographs, etc, etc is simply mind blowing.. Don’t miss a visit here even if only for a short time...or keep returning. Here is the heart and soul of this historic little town
8. The House of Shrek
9. Waitaki Museum & Archive
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 40 reviews
Welcome to the Waitaki Museum & Archive/ Te Whare Taoka o Waitaki. Waitaki Museum tells the stories of the natural and cultural history of the Waitaki District with 3 new exhibition spaces: Our Land Tō Tātau Whenua: a sample of Waitaki district’s geology. Kā Puipuiaki o Korotuaheka: discover the Waitaha Taoka | Stewart Willetts Family Collection. European Settlement: stories of the arrival of European settlers in the Waitaki District.
Reviewed By 759elib - Sydney, Australia
Its classical facade is pretty enough but the cultural wealth within celebrating Maori and Pakeha history is educational and inspiring. Its got exhibits on local writer Janet Frame, architecture and geology. This town has got the goods.
10. Middlemarch Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
