Mercury Bay Museum
Mercury Bay Museum
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
With exhibits about the Polynesian navigator Kupe, Maori artifacts, the Endeavour and James Cook, HMS Buffalo (sunk 1840), kauri timber and gum, the old dairy factory in which the museum is housed, early settlers’ records, natural history, fishing displays and a wonderful photographic collection. Bringing you face to face with our history!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
202 reviews
Excellent
110
Very good
80
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Kerry G
Wellington, New Zealand39 contributions
Apr 2023
A maze of rooms all filled with quality exhibits.our family spent a lot longer there than we thought we would as there was something interesting around every corner. Friendly staff, great location and lovely premises. Pricing seemed a little high if you have a family if 5 adults but overall, it was worth it.
Written 29 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.
Tractorbeeb
Weymouth, UK230 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Not normally one to visit a museum on hols but popped into the mercury bay museum to learn a bit more about Capt Cook and the Māori adventurers. Really interesting place and nice staff and peace to explore.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Interactive, lots to see and watch, you will deffny learn something from the trip!
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Interactive, lots to see and watch, you will deffny learn something from the trip!
Written 28 March 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.
Rutland
Rutland, UK121 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
We went during the January 2023 monsoon. It’s not bad for something to do for an hour or so. Informative. Hide and seek game for the kids. Free fun for kids. Something to do in the wet in Whitianga
Written 27 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.
Chloe T
2 contributions
Dec 2022
Loved all the information and how it was displayed. Really well organised museum with fantastic history of the area.
Written 8 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.
Daine72
Singapore23 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We went with a 7 year old and 9 year old who found the interactive exhibits very engaging. We enjoyed the displays and the interactivity of some of them. Very interesting history presentation covering people and nature. For a small museum it is very good. Well worth a visit.
Written 18 December 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.
Lynda M UTTING
Beerwah, Australia176 contributions
Nov 2022
This museum is surprisingly larger than it appears from the outside.
It is PACKED with very interesting and often interactive displays of the early history of the area - including accounts of the native indigenous people (the Maori).
Very receptive entrance area with souvenirs - and two choices of activity sheets for children. My 8yo grandson was eager to complete the A-Z worksheet - which kept us at the museum much longer than we would have been as he wanted to get it all completed - his prize was a choice of NZ native animals (small plastic figures) - he chose a Kea - and the friendly volunteer gave his younger (2yo) sister a choice of figures as well ;-)
We were there with our daughter, her husband, and their three very young children.
It is PACKED with very interesting and often interactive displays of the early history of the area - including accounts of the native indigenous people (the Maori).
Very receptive entrance area with souvenirs - and two choices of activity sheets for children. My 8yo grandson was eager to complete the A-Z worksheet - which kept us at the museum much longer than we would have been as he wanted to get it all completed - his prize was a choice of NZ native animals (small plastic figures) - he chose a Kea - and the friendly volunteer gave his younger (2yo) sister a choice of figures as well ;-)
We were there with our daughter, her husband, and their three very young children.
Written 6 December 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.
GrantandTracey
Bondi, Australia333 contributions
Nov 2022
This venue is fantastic. A very complete picture of the area and its history. A lot of effort has gone into it. Highly Recommneded
Written 17 November 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.
MartyandAmy
Wellington, New Zealand323 contributions
Sep 2022
Loads of information in regards to the history of the area. The attendant that was on duty was fantastic and saw him the next day on the ferry. Great to see locals helping and supporting and happy to be doing the same for them.
Written 23 September 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.
Kej5
Auckland, New Zealand220 contributions
May 2022
Some great information and relics from the past. Enjoyed wandering at our own pace, and revisiting areas of particular interest.
Written 28 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.
santo t
Auckland, New Zealand7,589 contributions
Feb 2021
It is a small museum in size, with attractive themes and exhibits. Several themes are displayed here, the history and voyage of Captain Cook to Mercury Bay, the story of gum digger. Then, the exhibits of the dairy life in the past, logging, as well as farming and wool shearing. Also the tragic story of HMS Buffalo which was wrecked here in 1840. For $5 ticket for adult, spend nearly 30 minutes to one hour here is worth when visiting this tourist town Whitianga. Easy to find, at the beach front.
Written 9 April 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.
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Claim your listingMERCURY BAY MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury Bay Museum
- Mercury Bay Museum is open:
- Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Hotels near Mercury Bay Museum:
- (0.02 km) Cottage By The Sea
- (0.17 km) Crows Nest Apartments
- (0.10 km) Esplanade Apartments
- (0.09 km) Whitianga Motel
- (0.14 km) Central Park Motel
- Restaurants near Mercury Bay Museum:
- (0.03 km) The Harbour House Cafe
- (0.04 km) The Espy Cafe
- (0.05 km) Grace O'Malley's Irish Inn
- (0.13 km) Stoked Restaurant
- (0.07 km) Blue Lagoon Bar & Eatery