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Kaikoura Museum

72 Reviews

#5 of 12 things to do in Kaikoura

Museums, History Museums

Closed Now: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

96 West End, Kaikoura 7300, New Zealand

Open today: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Review Highlights

“Great little museum”

The museum is not big, but it is very informative, and was easy to spend a couple of hours here. We... read more

Reviewed 5 days ago

janda2905

Aylesbury, United Kingdom

“Super interactive!!”

This place is worth a visit! The attic level has some cool interactive displays. Kids would love... read more

Reviewed 1 week ago

Barbara K

Read all 72 reviews

All photos (23)

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Certificate of Excellence

Traveller Overview

4.5 72 reviews

Excellent64%
Very good27%
Average8%
Poor1%
Terrible0%

Travellers talk about

“local history”(6 reviews)

“interesting displays”(4 reviews)

“recent earthquake”(3 reviews)

About

A new state-of-the-art museum experience showcasing Kaikoura’s diverse natural, cultural and social history. We also have research facilities for historians and those interested in family histories of the district.

Closed Now

Hours Today: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

See all hours

Suggested duration: 1-2 hours

Contact

96 West End, Kaikoura 7300, New Zealand

Website

+64 3-319 7440

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1 - 10 of 68 reviews

janda2905

Aylesbury, United Kingdom

Reviewed 5 days ago

Great little museum

The museum is not big, but it is very informative, and was easy to spend a couple of hours here. We were particularly interested in the 2016 earthquake exhibition, as we did not hear anything about it in the UK, even though it was as...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank janda2905

Barbara K

Reviewed 1 week ago

Super interactive!!

This place is worth a visit! The attic level has some cool interactive displays. Kids would love it!! I’m 29 and even I enjoyed it :)

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank Barbara K

Kids of all ages, and even fully grown up people, love our Museum so we are glad you did too. Thanks for the review Barbara.

Susiefage

Norwich

2411

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Well worth a visit

This museum is only small, so an hour or so is all you need if you are pushed for time. Very well laid out, with lots of brief explanations about the history of Kaikoura and of course the 2916 earthquake is covered in detail.

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank Susiefage

Thank you for the 5 star review!

John v

Paraparaumu, New Zealand

539

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Reward winning museum.

Easy to find on the ground floor of the Local Council building in the centre of town.Kaikoura's history and a moving exhibition of the 2016 earthquake are both interesting and moving. Winning a reward was well deserved.

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank John v

Thanks John V for the kind words. Steph

savershepherd

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Small town but excellent museum

Amazing story of the earthquakes, some good displays on whaling, crays and telecommunications history. Nice facility.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank savershepherd

Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit. Steph

699leannes

Kaikoura, New Zealand

131

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Touching

This little museum is packed with history! From all the historical artefacts and films to the new part that tells a very powerful and emotional story about how the earthquake affected locals. It is definitely worth the visit.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank 699leannes

Thanks for the 5 star review, what a great way to start the New Year! Steph

RKensington

Auckland, New Zealand

29089

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

An unexpected delight

A wonderful experience So much to see and absorb Excellent section on the earthquake Great examples of past lives from pre-European through to today

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank RKensington

We love it when we are able to delight and exceed expectations! Thank you for the review. Steph

John C

Wellington, New Zealand

274

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

A fascinating place!!

Shaped like a crayfish pot, the Kaikoura museum is well situated on the main street with parking available across the street. Focussing on local history, both social and industrial the museum entices you to see "what is round the next corner' Ii is certain to...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank John C

Thank you for your thoughtful and comprehensive review John C. You obviously made time to take it all in and got the most out of your visit which is great. Feedback is always appreciated. Steph

Kath31

Mount Lawley, Australia

4123

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Well worth a visit

We had an hour to spare in Kaikoura so went along to the museum. At $12 a ticket for an adult it is well worth a visit. It has a long term exhibition on the 2016 quake and then a permanent exhibition on the history...More

Date of experience: December 2018

1 Thank Kath31

Thanks for the 5 star review Kath31, great to hear you enjoyed your visit and found it good value. Steph

APRS

Wellington, New Zealand

11039

Reviewed 5 weeks ago

Pay for entry???

Walked up to here for a look around while filling in time for the Whale Watch and discovered this is a paid entry? Not enough time left to get the value out of paying for entry so left again. Wasn't that impressed at having to...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank APRS

We are an independent Museum and registered charity and we receive no require local or national government funding so we have to have an entry just to keep the doors open. It is a huge amount of work looking after our districts heritage and archives...More

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