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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- Paul PMelbourne, Australia232 contributionsA 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 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 March 2024
- STravelsNZWellington, New Zealand304 contributionsGreat MuseumToitu is a great museum that’s well laid out and has a nice variety of exhibits. A walk down memory lane for me. The household items, morris 8 car and tiger tea bus brought back childhood memories. Well worth a visit!Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 27 April 2024
- cjmjsChristchurch, New Zealand73 contributionsLearn about the localsVery well thought out museum and amazing tribute to the early settlers of Otago. Nice and spacious with plenty of exhibits for kids to explore. Really enjoyed looking at the old computer servers. Nice display of cars. Definitely worth a visit and a stop off at the cafe.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 June 2024
- KBofLBLittleborough, United Kingdom583 contributionsThis is how it startedThis purpose built museum is well set out. It covers in detail both the original Maori settlement and the European era in the 19th century. It includes more modern exhibits, particularly transport and technology. Well worth visiting.Visited November 2024Travelled soloWritten 22 December 2024
- AustTrail542 contributionsImpressive museumWe were very impressed with this museum. We didn't have much time but in the short hour that we had, we had a great time looking at the old to new vehicles and the historical displays. The building is new and displays nicely laid out. It is free admission and there is parking close by. A must see when you are visiting Dunedin.Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 December 2024
- Robert D5,375 contributionsExcellent Social History MuseumThe Toitu Otago Settlers Museum tells the story of the various peoples who have settled in Otago, starting with the Maori. its many rooms can keep visitors engaged for several hours. The first gallery shows a Wharerau, a dwelling the Maori used in the colder climate of the South Island before European arrival. The next room was part of the original museum when I visited it in 1985. It featured wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling portraits of the early European settlers. Dunedin was a prosperous city during the gold rush of the 1860s. You can see the 8-sided banking desk used by the Bank of New Zealand for its customers in 1883. Another exhibit shows knitted poppies, made by the Otago Settlers Association in 2014 to remember the men and women from Dunedin who were killed during World War I. This is a truly excellent museum and I highly recommend a visit.Visited November 2024Travelled soloWritten 18 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
2,106 reviews
Excellent
1,646
Very good
422
Average
27
Poor
8
Terrible
4
Karana190
Brisbane, Australia379 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
This is a large museum so leave at least an hour to visit. There is so much to see. Entry is free yet there is nothing skimped on the presentation of the stories. The original railway station is incorporated into one of the rooms. There is a pleasant coffee shop should you want to breakup your visit, a gift shop for classy souvenirs and there is parking outside for $2 an hour. Very impressive!
Written 21 May 2021
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.
50StateVisitor
Randolph, NJ907 contributions
Oct 2019
This is a great museum with worthwhile exhibits on the history, culture, technology and transportation of the Otago region. Make sure to get a map to guide you and allow 1-2 hours to explore all of the galleries. Donations appreciated. There is also a gift shop and food service in the lobby. Parking is "pay and display" in the lot behind the museum or on the street.
Written 30 April 2020
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.
Anne D
Sydney, Australia64 contributions
Jul 2022
The best part of this museum is how it unfolds and explains what it special about this area but doesn't preach or condemn. It is an excellent example of how settlers and native people worked together. I really enjoyed the stories told by people who live there and have connection to the ancestors and events. It makes the stories more interesting than simply reading them on a wall! We had a really good lunch there too surrounded by locals. We were the only foreign tourists that day!
Written 2 July 2022
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.
Janette K
151 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
I have been to a few museums in my time but this one has blown me away. Authentic and appropriate for our times this museum celebrates the resilience of all settlers to this windswept challenging part of the world. The stories of Maori settlement and early Europeans looking for fortunes and freedom are beautifully woven together to embrace true manaakitanga. I loved the ride on the penny farthing bike too! Just saying!
Written 24 May 2022
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.
Stephen M
Canberra55 contributions
Apr 2023
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.
Written 22 April 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.
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia961 contributions
Dec 2022
This museum is FREE and absolutely well worth the visit. Stay for at least an hour or two. There are many displays about Dunedin and Otago especially about its early settlers, some of which are very interactive. There are also fantastic displays on histories of transport, technology and everyday life which was quite a blast from the past. The displays are done so well I really appreciated what was being shown and learnt so much. I can't express any more than to visit as it was a highlight of our stay in Dunedin.
Written 7 January 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.
Steve L
Hucknall, UK542 contributions
Feb 2020
Not many major museums are free and when they are they are usually not up to scratch. Not the case here. What a very large and fascinating place this is. The history of the South Island settlers as well as transport and the development of the city are all here. Kids are allowed to play on some of the exhibits which helps the learn. There is a mock up of a ship bringing settlers from the UK, example as of clothes through time and computers. Basically a bit of everything so almost everyone should find something interesting here.
Written 14 February 2020
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.
buckeyetravel
Ohio315 contributions
Nov 2019
This museum tells of the various nationalities that settled in the area and where they came from. It discusses their long journeys from various places (primarily Europe) and some of their early struggles and successes. It also has a Smithsonian feel to it for those familiar with this museum in the US as their are pop culture items from various decades, vehicles from this history of the area, military history, mauri culture, etc. I really enjoyed the pop culture items and the development of computers area that has all kinds of tech items and mainframes that are fun to look at. Overall, a good place to visit and free admission (suggested donation) makes this a place you should check out in Dunedin.
Written 14 January 2020
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 Zealand7 contributions
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.
Matthew
Wellington, New Zealand39 contributions
Nov 2020
We visited Toitu Otago Settlers Museum on a rainy day, after visiting the Otago Museum. Toitu was definitely our preference.
For the visitor, the museum has an easy flow... from the entrance, you walk through a single long building (towards the Chinese Garden) as your progress through time.
The collection is varied, and has an engaging mix of installations - both history and modern. There's a nice use of technology, but nothing feels cliche.
Overall, the museum is great. If anything... there could be a little more mātauranga Māori (but it feels they’re in a better position than Otago Museum).
For the visitor, the museum has an easy flow... from the entrance, you walk through a single long building (towards the Chinese Garden) as your progress through time.
The collection is varied, and has an engaging mix of installations - both history and modern. There's a nice use of technology, but nothing feels cliche.
Overall, the museum is great. If anything... there could be a little more mātauranga Māori (but it feels they’re in a better position than Otago Museum).
Written 28 November 2020
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.
Kia ora
Just checking if we need to book - as we are coming on Mon Oct 5th- the first day of the school holidays.
Also if we are wanting to do some research on our ancestors arrival here ( Mcnee family) do we need anything in particular?
Regards Mandy Cresswell
Written 30 August 2020
Sorry, just noticed your Question! (Travel planning not at the forefront for me at the moment.)
There is no need to book though there could be quite a few visitors. Give yourself half a day for it if you have children.
As far as research is concerned, I’m not sure, and it depends how much time you want to spend. I’d try emailing them. Alternatively there is the Hocken Library which has masses of local information. You can do some research there if you have time. Check out their website, and perhaps their guide to researching. Good luck.
Written 5 September 2020
How many hours should I allocate for this museum ? Thanks.
Written 5 January 2019
If you're pressed for time, or if your interest level is not uniformly high for all the exhibits, you can run through in an hour. If you want to linger a bit, try on some of the clothes and take souvenir pictures, look carefully through all the neat stuff in the store, read most of the signs for most of the exhibits, and enjoy coffee and snacks or lunch, I'd say 2-3 hours, more toward 3. We enjoyed coffee and snacks there after we'd gone though, and we bought lots of stuff at the store, so could easily have spent more time at a more leisurely pace. Have fun!
Written 6 January 2019
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