Top Museums in Dunedin, New Zealand
Museums in Dunedin
- Traveller favouritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveller rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
Category types
Museums
Traveller rating
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18 places sorted by traveller favourites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Natural History Museums • Science Museums
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Speciality Museums • Lessons & Workshops
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
What travellers are saying
- Janette K96 contributionsI 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 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- kinx81Hamilton, New Zealand799 contributionsVery impressed on all the free galleries but do pay the extra to get access to the science centre and planetarium! Two adults cost $30 and we were entertained for over two hours looking at the exhibits. Went right at opening on Sunday and had the science centre practically to ourselves - for about 20 min, which meant we could ride the three storey slide with no kids around lol!
Butterfly exhibit was so cool. We were there for the release of the newly hatched butterflies and got to hold one and take pics. Very humid in there but there are cubby holes outside to hold your jackets.
The planetarium show at 10:30 was a brief 15 min showcase of whatever people in the audience wanted to see. (Jupiter, Milky Way, Saturn…) very cool
The animal attic was quite interesting and loved the weird and wonderful artwork.
Great gift shop.Written 8 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - KateHSydneyreviewsSydney, Australia12 contributionsThe kind of small, quirky museum that actually surprises you, actually makes you laugh out loud, and you actually never forget! You'll tell people who are visiting Dunedin that they can't miss it - and when they go, they'll text you saying "whoa! thanks for the tip!"
Bruce's artworks from bones, fossils, skulls and entire skeletons are on display in one room. You'll see a lot of his street arts and posters around town too. The other rooms are crammed full of incredible things from the natural world as well as quirky artefacts you didn't even know you were curious about, and leathery old books with titles such as The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People.
Kids can take a selfie with antler horns. Teens can get some fun photos for Instagram. Oh and there are tui birds in the garden making some incredible bird song so, all up, a great New Zealand visit!Written 28 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - peperiAuckland Central, New Zealand221 contributionsWe were disappointed in the major exhibit at the gallery which was a demonstration of pretentious art writing masquerading as quality criticism as the writers attempted to justify exhibiting torn plastic bags, pieces of drift wood and assemblages as works of art. Not impressed.Written 17 January 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Bernadette MCastle Cove, Australia380 contributionsI wandered into this museum strolling through Portobello.
What a find!
The historical society have done a terrific job of curating this. Lots of interesting and fun things to see and snap.
We spent at least half an hour here. And it wasn't even open!
Would love to come back when it's open.Written 27 January 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Caro DMosgiel, New Zealand26 contributionsMy husband and I visited this little museum today and were given a tour round by Simon and Gavin. There are apparently just three volunteers for this museum and there were just the two of us at the time. They spent more than an hour explaining the science to us, whose knowledge of chemistry was 5th form (Year 11) science course.
They didn't pretend to know everything but were so patient with our no doubt dumb questions. And all for $5NZ.
The machines were so huge! And the amount of things that come from a tonne of coal was amazing.Written 19 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Liz HLichfield, UK844 contributionsI was sceptical what this was going to be like, but went in to keep my husband company.
However, I found plenty to interest me, if not fascinate me. There were items donated by many famous sportsmen, Richard Hadlee for cricket, for example. There were Olympic uniforms, tennis, rowing, rugby and lots more memorabilia. I thoroughly enjoyed looking and learning about some of New Zealand’s sporting greats.Written 27 April 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Jeff1903King's Lynn, UK1,566 contributionsIf you are going to the station and the Sporting Hall Of Fame, this is upstairs opposite the museum. It is free entry and there are some surprisingly good pieces on display. It would be a mistake not to spend ten minutes or longer browsing the paintings and shop.Written 17 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- AllanJGJWellington, New Zealand3,340 contributionsIf more people would review this attraction it would streak up Dunedin's 'things to do' list. Print off the map onliine before you set out. There around 30 generally large, often amusing murals within a reasonable walking distance or each other. And there seems to be a few more since the last time we visited Dunedin three years ago. Definitely worth an hour of your time.Written 19 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Williamsfamily2014Ashburton, New Zealand35 contributionsFletcher House is a beautifully restored Edwardian ‘Treasure’. We thoroughly enjoyed our very informative visit, the guided tour gives a personal touch to the houses history, lives of James Fletcher and its various owners. Good to see history being preserved and shared. Elspeth was a super guide!Written 20 April 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Michelle DeeAshburton, New Zealand175 contributionsMe, my partner & my mum came here for an exciting educational look into astronomy. I love coming here I've been here a few time we actually tipped extra this time because we appreciate the science behind astronomy. One time I came here earlier in the year & we saw Jupiter moons in straight alignment. We saw the cluster of stars one was red one was blue one was white called the jewel box. Everyone that runs this is extremely knowledgeable. I even meet a physicist that visit & got to quiz him on all my questions about the cosmos, the universe & his theories about the big bang & how long he believes the universe began.
Love Bill Nye & Neil Degrass Tyson tehe 🤓😄
Definitely for the family. Make sure you wrap up warm it gets very cold at night. Also if there is two much cloud coverage might not be open so be cautious for this 😊😄Written 12 November 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Sue29 contributionsWe just happened to be driving past and on the spur of the moment decided to stop and go inside. Although it was getting late we were made to feel so welcome and not rushed in any way. The stories told about each piece and the connections between the artists gave us a real insight into the different art works. Fabulous visit and a real treat to see not only the works on display but the passion of the gallery owners.Written 26 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Gay WDunedin46 contributionsVisited this wonderful gallery after hearing about the amazing window display.
The gallery is full of art and all local artists and a great variety.
The prices are realistic and a range to suit all budgets.Written 3 June 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - samandhenryDunedin, New Zealand589 contributionsMilford and Brett McDowell galleries and great books too. If you are visiting, make sure you wander down here for a nosey. Something for everyone, and lovely heritage buildings.Written 6 March 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- John MGeelong, Australia1,218 contributionsThe only reason this attraction has been marked "very good" instead of "excellent" is because of the renovations taking place that are temporarily hampering activity and display within. Still well worth a visit as these "Happy Hens" go all around the world.Written 23 April 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dunedin
- These are the best places for kid-friendly museums in Dunedin:See more museums for children in Dunedin on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for couples seeking museums in Dunedin:See more museums for couples in Dunedin on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking museums in Dunedin:See more museums for groups in Dunedin on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly museums in Dunedin:
- The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
- Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
- Otago Museum
- Dunedin Public Art Gallery
- New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame