Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is a museum of social history dedicated to telling the story of the people of Dunedin and the surrounding area, whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion and transport shaped New Zealand’s first great city. Its fourteen themed galleries feature interactive displays and powerful narratives tracing the human history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the most recent arrivals.Captivating exhibitions are complemented by an on site shop and café. A well-equipped research centre and archive is available for those interested in genealogy and other aspects of local history.
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  • Stephen M
    41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The best local museum that I have ever seen
    I came here 8 years ago and am just as enthused as I was then, It is a fabulous museum about the history and people of the local region. I am again totally surprised at how large and how good it was. It is a credit to all those involved in the creation and maintenance of this most interesting place. It is very close to the heritage Railway station and some interesting shops and cafes nearby.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 22 April 2023
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, Hawaii169 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    interesting museum to spend an hour or 2
    Interesting museum and that fact at it was free was just fabulous. I loved all of the early 1900.s vehicles The toys and household appliances were cool to look at. the gift shop has some wonderful gifts for sale.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 July 2023
  • H&P
    Manchester, United Kingdom24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting and well laid out.
    Very interesting and well organised museum. We found it easy to follow the story of Dunedin as the rooms are chronological and nicely spaced. It’s free to enter but definitely worth a donation. A good attraction in its own right but perfect when it’s stormy and wet.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 November 2023
  • afong138
    Sydney, Australia297 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful Museum to visit
    A very well presented museum to visit. Very detailed on the history of early settlement & clear interpretations. There is a gift shop & cafe on site. Walking distance from town center & best of all it is free entry.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 January 2024
  • london057
    Dublin, Ohio695 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is The Thing Dunedin
    This is the thing to see in Dunedin . Another thing the museum shows a whole history of city 🌃 of Dunedin. Also I like 👍 looking at the exhibit of the original setters in the region. Lastly, I love 💕 looking the exhibit of the Scottish who came to this city.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 January 2024
  • Paul P
    Melbourne, Australia233 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A walk through time in Otago.
    I was totally impressed with the museum. It covers Otago from the first people up to today. It has detail aplenty, or you can just walk through the collection and see the changes over the years. At least an hour but you could spend much more, It has been so well done utilising a number of buildings a d starting in a new modern one. You seamlessly walk through and end up in the old road authority art Deco building. Remember to get a shot of it from the outside too. Want more? It is free! My favourite was the huge mainframe computer with a humongous 12k or so of memory. A must do in Dunedin.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 March 2024
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5.0
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Paul P
Melbourne, Australia233 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
I was totally impressed with the museum. It covers Otago from the first people up to today. It has detail aplenty, or you can just walk through the collection and see the changes over the years. At least an hour but you could spend much more,
It has been so well done utilising a number of buildings a d starting in a new modern one. You seamlessly walk through and end up in the old road authority art Deco building. Remember to get a shot of it from the outside too.
Want more? It is free!
My favourite was the huge mainframe computer with a humongous 12k or so of memory.
A must do in Dunedin.
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott B
Noosa Heads, Australia19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Solo
Dunedin is a super place to visit while travelling through the South Island of New Zealand. There are many attractions to visit and experience. I'm a big fan of the St.Clair Beah area. Great views, nice accom options, lovely restaurants and coffee shops. We had a delicious Italian meal at the Esplanade Restaurant, the service was also outstanding. Dunedin has many craft breweries you can try, we enjoyed Steamer Basin in No Name Alley. The St.Clair Golf Course is fantastic for a nice round of golf with amazing views over the coast on many holes. The St.Clear to St.Kilda beach is perfect for a walk, or swim if you enjoy a chilly dip which I do. Try taking the local bus service to get yourself around, it is clean, easy and regular. Uber also well serves the area. The highlight for me was a visit to the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. A truly excellent museum and a credit to the city and its past. So give it a try and enjoy :-).
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jbushman2017
Nipomo, CA492 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
The picture suggests this is a small museum and it is not. My wife and I spent 2-3 hours here. It is quite extensive and covers a wide range of themes from the cities founding up to contemporary times. There are multiple rooms to visit all with exhibits and captions. The museum also happens to be the place where shuttles from the cruise ships drop off passengers so if you want to skip the ship excursions just shuttle into the city and come here.
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marzy661
Christchurch, New Zealand4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Allow yourself a day here. We were there for 2 hours and it was not nearly enough. But we had a schedule. The displays were set out in a fashion that made understanding an adventure. Static displays come to life with the digitized screens for more information. Loved the photo room.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jtwoodfield
London, UK216 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
If you are in Dunedin then I have no hesitation in arguing that this museum is a must visit.
Brilliantly laid out. Highly informative. Just ignore the excessive PC use of moari which is not necessary and grates by getting in the way.
After 1.5 hours we had only covered half. So need to return.
Which we can do easily, as it is free. However, we made a donation and I would hope that every visitor with a social conscience would do the same.
Written 15 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeroen-Melissa v
Napier, New Zealand9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Great layout. Modern building. As the name suggests a lot of history of the early settlers. Some maori history but not as in depth.
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

london057
Dublin, OH695 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
This is the thing to see in Dunedin . Another thing the museum shows a whole history of city 🌃 of Dunedin. Also I like 👍 looking at the exhibit of the original setters in the region. Lastly, I love 💕 looking the exhibit of the Scottish who came to this city.
Written 22 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

afong138
Sydney, Australia297 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
A very well presented museum to visit. Very detailed on the history of early
settlement & clear interpretations. There is a gift shop & cafe on site.
Walking distance from town center & best of all it is free entry.
Written 18 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mariska N
Auckland Central, New Zealand3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Ordered a cheese roll and spinach feta quiche. We waited for 20 minutes while watching others who arrived after us get served. We asked the waitress where our order was, and she said she would check. 5 minutes later, she came back to ask us what we ordered! When the cheese roll finally arrived, after a further 10 minutes, while they continued to deliver food to other customers, it was semi warm and undercooked and cheese was not melted. Wouldn't come here again. Very disappointing cafe service and is not worth what you pay.
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

H&P
Manchester, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Very interesting and well organised museum. We found it easy to follow the story of Dunedin as the rooms are chronological and nicely spaced.

It’s free to enter but definitely worth a donation.

A good attraction in its own right but perfect when it’s stormy and wet.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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TOITŪ OTAGO SETTLERS MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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