What to do and see in Canterbury Region, South Island: The Best Specialty Museums

October 9, 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. New Zealand Museum of Toys & Collectibles

36 Manchester Street Waltham, Christchurch 8001 New Zealand +64 29 200 9141 [email protected] http://www.nzmuseumoftoys.com
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

New Zealand Museum of Toys & Collectibles

We have moved and expanded. The museum is now NZ Museum of Toys & Collectibles and the Toy Collector operates as the museum shop. The museum display is the result of 50 years of collecting of a broad range of toys as possible. This isn't exactly a museum in that the toys are not all old and they aren't all in pristine condition since toys are meant to be played with. An eclectic collection of toys through the ages designed to put a smile on your face and remind you of childhood days of playing whether recent or very distant. You are sure to find something you had, have or always wanted in the broad range of displays.

Reviewed By magentaunicorn

We had read a little about this place but weren't expecting to find such a gem. Well laid out and a fascinating collection with thousands of Hot Wheels, a room full of diecast cars, a huge lego collection plus Disney and Harry Potter!! The train layout was fantastic. So much to look at we will definitively be back.

2. Air Force Museum of New Zealand

45 Harvard Avenue Wigram, Christchurch 8042 New Zealand +64 3-343 9532 [email protected] http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 865 reviews

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Free admission* | Discover New Zealand’s military aviation story at the place where it all began. Engage with stories of the men and women who have helped shape New Zealand’s military aviation journey, and reflect on their service and sacrifice through years of war and peace. Explore the diverse collection at your own pace through immersive exhibitions, or join a free, guided ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour. View the historic aircraft on display, embark on a Museum Hunt with the kids, or test your flying skills in the ‘Mosquito Mission’ flight simulator! Price: FREE Admission - *activity charges may apply. Opening Hours: Daily (except Christmas Day), 10.00am - 5.00pm.

Reviewed By supergrumps14 - Durham, United Kingdom

Stopped of here for a brief visit while on a tour of NZ I was impressed by the range of Exhibits on display and the knowledge of the guides friendly staff, and a nice little cafe, and its free, (Donations Welcomed)# well worth a stop off

3. Rutherford's Den

2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch 8013 New Zealand +64 3-363 2836 [email protected] http://www.artscentre.org.nz/rutherford-den/about-the-den/
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Rutherford's Den

Arts Centre's newest attraction, Rutherford's Den - an historic space dedicated to the science of New Zealand's most famous scientist. Ernest, Lord Rutherford, the moustached man on the $100 note, began his education in the very rooms that Rutherford's Den is located. Visitors get to experience not only the historic features of the rooms, but brand new state-of-the-art exhibits as they learn about the science of Rutherford and his peers. The transformation of Rutherford's Den cost $2m and, as an independent charity, the Arts Centre will use some of the money from ticket sales to help pay for this - plus refresh it in future. Online ticketing is now available or you can buy tickets at the on-siteshop.

Reviewed By SRDFrench - Leeds, United Kingdom

This was an informative and well set out exhibit. You don’t need to know the physics to get a lot out of it and use to stand at the front of Rutherford’s lecture theatre (with the benches covered in old student graffiti!) was humbling. And the museum attendant was simply wonderful - hugely friendly and welcoming. At only $10 it’s a bargain!

4. International Antarctic Centre

38 Orchard Road International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch 8053 New Zealand +64 3-357 0519 [email protected] http://www.iceberg.co.nz/
Excellent
52%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,724 reviews

International Antarctic Centre

It's the ultimate Antarctic adventure! Experience the dramatic seasonal lighting in the four seasons of Antarctica show where it 'snows' every 6 minutes. Venture out on to 'the ice' from Scott Base to play in 'Antarctica' the snow & ice experience and survive an Antarctic storm! How long can you hold your hand in the icy Antarctic water? Hang out with Little Blue Penguins, buckle up for the famously exciting Hagglund ride, take an awesome simulated 4D Antarctic cruise, watch Happy Feet 4D, then watch a stunning movie on a MASSIVE screen! It's the closest you'll get to Antarctica without mounting your own expedition!

Reviewed By vpmuscat - New South Wales, Australia

We visited the antartic centre on our way to Picton so we only had around 3 hours to spare which was perfect for us and we were able to see pretty much everything though you could spend longer there if you wish, coats and shoe covers are provided for the Antarctic experience, the penguin talk is very informative and the penguins are very cute too, and the hagglund ride is a bit of fun as well as educational and the 4D movies are excellent, a must do when visiting Christchurch.

5. Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum

178 Talbot Street, Geraldine 7930 New Zealand +64 274 396 000 [email protected] http://www.colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk/General/Museums/Geraldine.html
Excellent
72%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 122 reviews

Geraldine Vintage Car and Machinery Museum

Reviewed By WilsonFamilyNz - Pleasant Point, New Zealand

Took a large group of kids through here. It’s amazing, so much to see allow plenty of time as it’s well worth it. Great variety

6. Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum

Main Road Okains Bay, Christchurch 8161 New Zealand +64 3-304 8611 http://www.okainsbaymuseum.co.nz
Excellent
67%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 172 reviews

Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum

Reviewed By leoo5o8 - Wellington, New Zealand

Spent an hour or so wandering around the museum. Wished we had more time, you could spend half a day and still not see or read everything. Great experience.

7. Oxford Museum

Main Street, Oxford 7430 New Zealand [email protected]
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Oxford Museum

Reviewed By danigross88 - Christchurch, New Zealand

A well maintained, well staffed lovely little town museum! Full of interesting trinkets and memorabilia from the region over the last 100 or so years! Only negative is the bowling balls with swastikas on them, they might want to consider removing these.

8. Quake City

299 Durham Street North, Christchurch 8011 New Zealand +64 3-365 8375 [email protected] http://www.canterburymuseum.com
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,692 reviews

Quake City

Quake City tells stories of heroism, hope and loss from the Canterbury earthquakes. This special exhibition from Canterbury Museum explains the science and the phenomenon of liquefaction – when the shaking liquefied the ground and it bubbled up burying street and sinking buildings. Quake City charts the aftermaths of the September 2010 and 22 February 2011 earthquakes and the extraordinary response of the emergency services, international rescue teams, the thousands of volunteers who pitched in to help – construction workers, the Student Volunteer Army, the Farmy Army – and the incredible resilience of Canterbury’s communities. Exhibition includes some of the objects which have defined the Canterbury earthquakes including the spire of Christ Church Cathedral and the clocks from the former railway station.

Reviewed By IanStrat - St. Albans, United Kingdom

Quake city was well worth the visit...especially as the entry fee goes to help support some of the contuinued rebuilding of christchurch Despite it appearing quite small from the outside, it was easy to spend an hour or more walking through the exhibits,,, you could spend longer listening to the various stories...some of which are heartbreaking. The technical details on the earthquake were also fascinating - especially how the mud shifted from solid to liquid via liquifaction. For me the most poignant exhibit was the cathedral cross...as was seeing the rose window... so much more powerful after visiting the hulk of the cathedral site as well Very definitely a worthwhile destination for any visitor

9. South Canterbury Museum

Perth Street, Timaru New Zealand +64 3-687 7212 [email protected] http://www.timaru.govt.nz/museum.html
Excellent
51%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 74 reviews

South Canterbury Museum

Reviewed By SmileyN21 - Waimate, New Zealand

Dioramas, samples you can touch as well as see, drawers of fascinating collections, exhibits you can walk through, multiple Moa skeletons, taxidermied creatures, and it’s all fascinating and there are good information panels. It was a real treat to visit a museum that reminds me of childhood trips to the British Museum in London.

10. Pleasant Point Museum and Railway

Pleasant Point Road, Pleasant Point New Zealand +64 3-614 8323 http://www.pleasantpointrail.org.nz
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Pleasant Point Museum and Railway

Reviewed By BeenAroundAwhile22

Riding in the fabulous Model T Ford Railcar was an absolute highlight. This is a fantastic museum and railway and all credit to the volunteers and enthusiasts who allow it all to happen. We booked in as a group and were so well taken care of. Great information from a couple of the legendary volunteers and full access to all locomotives and carriages in the museum. We were not there on a Steam Train day, but the Model T made us all so happy. We had booked lunch as well and this was perfect and lovingly set out for us all. Go there people, they need your support and they thoroughly deserve it.

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