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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- H&PManchester, United Kingdom39 contributionsInteresting 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 November 2023
- afong138Sydney, Australia293 contributionsA beautiful Museum to visitA 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 2024Travelled soloWritten 17 January 2024
- london057Dublin, Ohio683 contributionsThis is The Thing DunedinThis 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 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 January 2024
- 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 Zealand298 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 Zealand74 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
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
2,098 reviews
Excellent
1,637
Very good
422
Average
27
Poor
8
Terrible
4
Karana190
Brisbane, Australia373 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.
MelbourneKaz
Melbourne111 contributions
Mar 2020
I enjoyed this museum's rapid overview of history but my companion thought it was a bit boring, hence the very good rating. The museum is easy to reach from the railway station and has a wide selection of artefacts from different periods. I enjoyed even the simple exhibits of old household appliances like washing machines. I'd say it's worth a visit, noting that it can get busy with bus tour groups going through.
Written 24 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.
michael c
18 contributions
Jan 2020
Visited this museum while in Dunedin for a few days. Even though I have visited Dunedin 2 times before this was my first visit here and I found it really interesting. Well laid out exhibits and anybody wanting to discover the history of early Dunedin would enjoy this museum.
Written 16 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.
WendyT1962
Upper Hutt, New Zealand15 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This museum has so much in depth information and is really interesting. Stories from descendants of the first settlers and lots of family history, plus many other displays including vehicles and old appliances. Give yourself at least a couple of hours. Nice gift shop and cafe.
Written 24 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.
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.
Sonja B
Helensvale, Australia355 contributions
Jan 2020
It was a rainy day so our tour of botanic gardens was cancelled and we went here instead. Was enjoyable. Was very impressed with the main room with all the early settler families and interactive displays.
The voice over info in other parts was also super. Rather interesting overall.
The voice over info in other parts was also super. Rather interesting overall.
Written 7 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.
Jayne R
29 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Visited this museum yesterday with friends and we were completely blown away by it. We spent a long time there but didn't see everything. The interactive nature of the exhibits are great and the depth of detail is exceptional. The building incorporates the original settlers meeting place and the Smith Gallery covered with portraits and photographs of the early Scottish settlers was fascinating. Being able to click on a picture and find out all about them was so good. The ship's cabin reconstructed as it would have been on the 5 and a half month journey (minus the smell) was also excellent. So much to see. A must do in Dunedin.
Written 11 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.
wanderinghedgehogs
56 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This is by far one of the best museums I have ever seen. Its incredible that its free! It has a beautiful spacious layout where you walk through a timeline of Dunedins past origins to Dunedin today. It is incredibly interactive with many touch screens allowing you to access a wealth of information. We couldn't believe you could find the backstory of every settler using a touch screen in the portrait room. There is also many displays where you can flick pictures between now and then. There are also videos that have actors reenacting life back then. The artifacts they possess are also in great condition and displayed perfectly. We could have spent hours there!! Loved it.
Written 8 October 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.
Neil B
Auckland, New Zealand1,476 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Fabulous museum. Laid out in a timeline from early settlers to modern day. I particularly liked the “creative Dunedin” section with some great reminiscing about The Chills, The Verlaines, Sneaky Feelings etc.
One of the cool things about the museum is the blend of modern and historic buildings it’s located in. The old N.Z.R. Road Services building is particularly of note.
Cafe, shop, toilets and plenty of hand sanitiser!
One of the cool things about the museum is the blend of modern and historic buildings it’s located in. The old N.Z.R. Road Services building is particularly of note.
Cafe, shop, toilets and plenty of hand sanitiser!
Written 5 October 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.
aCupOfLee
Dunedin, New Zealand33 contributions
Feb 2019
When we emigrated here 3 years ago we spent time as tourists. We now bring everyone who visits us here! It's a relaxing day out for all ages, a wonderful overview of local history, with some very modern elements incorporating technology. But the portrait room is my favourite, charting all the settler families, how they arrived, where in the world from and what became of them. Have visited maybe 10 times already and will never get bored of it!
Written 10 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.
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
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