What to do and see in Greater Wellington, North Island: The Best Specialty Museums

November 13, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

Discover the best top things to do in Greater Wellington, New Zealand including The Pointon Collection, Fragrifert Parfumeur, the Victorian Perfumery, The Vintage Aviator Museum, Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre, He Tohu, The One Room Fan Museum, Katherine Mansfield House and Garden, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Kapiti Coast Museum, Fell Locomotive Museum.
Restaurants in Greater Wellington

1. The Pointon Collection

68 McKinstry Avenue Te Ore Ore, Masterton 5886 New Zealand +64 6-378 6710 [email protected] http://www.pointoncollection.co.nz/
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

The Pointon Collection

Private Collection of Vintage & Veteran Cars, motorcycles & automobilia displayed to resemble a 1930's country garage. This includes an extensive collection of garage equipment, signs, tools & manuals. All vehicles on display are in driveable condition. An extensive collection of original period clothing (1870 - 1970) is rotated every 3 months & the displays are changed accordingly - this includes wedding gowns, evening gowns, daywear, accessories etc. All visitors are greeted & taken on a tour of the complex - which also includes gardens & craft shop.

Reviewed By Gmacuku - Waiau Pa, New Zealand

Not just about vintage cars. More the wile range of tools and memorabilia from the period. Well worth visiting and if you have a guided tour with the Pointon’s then all the better.

2. Fragrifert Parfumeur, the Victorian Perfumery

1 Upland Road Kelburn, Wellington 6012 New Zealand +64 27 607 1852 [email protected] http://www.fragrifert.co.nz
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 131 reviews

Fragrifert Parfumeur, the Victorian Perfumery

Fragrifert Parfumeur, The Victorian Perfumery, is a mini-museum and perfume emporium all in one. All perfumes are made by me, Francesco van Eerd, and are created using time honoured techniques and with a high percentage of natural materials. Just as they would have been made one hundred years ago. Where nature allows, I even distill my own materials. I welcome you to visit for yourself the fragrant excitement that is Fragrifert Parfumeur, at the Top of the Cable Car!

Reviewed By Kiwifromkiev - Auckland, New Zealand

We’ve found this place whilst visiting a coffee shop at the top of the cable car. We walked in and were totally fascinated by the smell and the sight. Beautiful period setting, very attentive host who is happy to share his passion for perfumes with visitors, and new and exciting smells. Yes, we’ve bought perfumes to remember this place by and I would recommend anybody to go and see and smell for yourself! You will not be disappointed!

3. The Vintage Aviator Museum

Hood Aerodrome, Masterton New Zealand +64 21 311 606 https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vintage-Aviator-Collection/130953866975871
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26 reviews

The Vintage Aviator Museum

4. Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre

2 Rhine Street, Wellington 6023 New Zealand +64 4-383 7769 [email protected] http://www.compassion.org.nz
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre

Discover the inspiring story of Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand's first saint-in-the-making, and the living mission of the Sisters of Compassion. Take some time out in the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, renowned for its John Drawbridge stained glass windows. Enjoy a walk in the tranquility of the gardens.All this is set in the beautiful and historic grounds of Our Lady's Home of Compassion.

5. He Tohu

National Library of New Zealand 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 800 474 300 http://www.hetohu.nz
Excellent
100%
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Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

He Tohu

6. The One Room Fan Museum

4 Corunna Avenue, Wellington 6021 New Zealand +64 210 720 463 [email protected] http://www.theoneroomfanmuseum.nz
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

The One Room Fan Museum

Totally cool personal museum of Lord of the Rings fan stuff!! Visit by arrangement by email/SMS (listed opening hours indicate availability, but we're very flexible). We love visitors - fans, families - and it's lots of fun. Try on costumes, play with replica weapons and props, see cool stuff, laugh along with our fun film. FREE - donations welcomed. See pics on museum website.

Reviewed By SophiaEnright

Kathy has a wonderful collection of treasures that bring back a lot of nostalgia for LOTR fans! I visited middle earth with a good friend (and fellow fan). We had a great time and enjoyed the various interactive elements of the collection, such as a film of how Kathy came to found the museum with her friends and whanau - based on interactions with the LOTR cast when they were filming in NZ, with some cool mementos and heaps more. Would recommend, wholesome experience guaranteed.

7. Katherine Mansfield House and Garden

25 Tinakori Rd Thorndon, Wellington 6001 New Zealand +64 4-473 7268 http://www.katherinemansfield.com/
Excellent
52%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 103 reviews

Katherine Mansfield House and Garden

Enter the 1888 home of a fashionable colonial family and discover the world and writing of internationally acclaimed New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield at her birthplace. Enjoy a heritage garden and changing exhibitions. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Entry fees apply, guided tours by arrangement. Reopened October 2019 following redevelopment.

Reviewed By 953KateB - Melbourne, Australia

For any person who enjoys literature and the story of authors, this is an excellent Museum. It would also be of interest for people with a fascination for domestic colonial life in the Victorian era. The new timeline of Katherine Mansfield‘s life is excellent and equates to reading a biography. The bookshop has a range of volumes of her short stories, biographies, information books about Mansfield’s life in Wellington and Victoriana. The open hours are posted on the gate or you can call them.

8. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

55 Cable St, Wellington 6011 New Zealand +64 4-381 7000 http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/pages/default.aspx
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14,040 reviews

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Experience the whole of New Zealand in one building! Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative and interactive national museum. Explore the great treasures and stories of this country, its unique natural environment, Maori culture and taonga (treasures), dynamic art heritage, and its fascinating history. Te Papa is located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day. General admission is free.

Reviewed By trishydishy

What a great museum - added bonus of seeing the terracotta warriors and Peter Jackson's marvellous and moving Gallipoli exhibition - saved our trip to Wellington which we found mostly CLOSED!!

9. Kapiti Coast Museum

9 Elizabeth Street, Waikanae 5036 New Zealand 9056313 http://www.kapitimuseum.org.nz/
Excellent
64%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Kapiti Coast Museum

10. Fell Locomotive Museum

Corner State Hwy 2 & Lyon Sts, Featherston New Zealand +64 6-308 9379 [email protected] http://www.fellmuseum.org.nz/
Excellent
67%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 70 reviews

Fell Locomotive Museum

Reviewed By TheAngelTree

Small, but very informative museum. Good for anyone interested in social history, not just railway enthusiasts. The guide was welcoming and gave us information we may not have picked up otherwise.

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