Otago Museum, Dunedin Overview

Being one of the largest museum collections in the country, the Otago Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Zealand. The venue is rich in natural science specimens and various artefacts from the humanities department that have been collected not only from Otago and all of New Zealand but also from different parts of the world, and they remain stored at the museum in the form of long term gallery displays.

Another reason tourists flock to the museum is the interactive science centre it houses, which has a vast tropical butterfly rainforest environment. In addition, it is widely popular amongst the locals for its educational programmes and the various school trips to the museum annually.
The museum has guided tours for visitors that can be booked both online and at the museum's Information Desk. These are carried out at 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the cost of NZD 15 per head.

Cost and Entry Timings

Timings

The Otago Museum is open for visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. daily except on Christmas Day, and the cafe and shop in the museum are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Admission to the venue is free except for entry to the Tuhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre, the Perpetual Guardian Planetarium or the Beautiful Science Gallery. The Museum accepts donations and might charge an admission fee for the programmes, events or special exhibitions that are occasionally held at the venue.

Admission to Tuhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre:

NZD 15 - Adult
NZD 10 - Child (3-18 years of age)
NZD 14 - Concession card-holder/student/senior citizen
NZD 60 - Annual adult pass
NZD 40 - Annual child pass
NZD 45 - Family pass (2 adults+2 children)
NZD 41 - Family pass (1 adults+3 children)

Admission to Perpertual Guardian Planetarium:

NZD 10 - Adult
NZD 7 - Child
NZD 9 - Concession card-holder/student/senior citizen
NZD 60 - Annual adult pass
NZD 40 - Annual child pass
NZD 34 - Family pass (2 adults+2 children)
NZD 31 - Family pass (1 adults+3 children)

Combo packages (Tuhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre+Perpertual Guardian Planetarium):

NZD 20 - Adult
NZD 13 - Child
NZD 18 - Concession card-holder/student/senior citizen
NZD 60 - Family pass (2 adults+2 children)
NZD 55 - Family pass (1 adults+3 children)

Exhibitions

2019 Otago Wildlife Photography Exhibition: The exhibition puts up photographs clicked and videos shot by amateur photographers based in Otago in the form of a competition.

The categories are mainly related to the natural habitat of the region, and for this year the categories are Animal, Human impact on the Environment, Pets, Night Skies, Plants and Wildlife in Action for videography.

The exhibition operates on all days from 30th of March, 2019 to the 18th of July, 2019.

Dare to be Wise: The exhibition is open to visitors from the 1st of June to the 24th of November, 2019 in the museum’s 1877 gallery.

It is put up in honor of the 150th anniversary of the University of Otago, and benefits both the students and those who are interested in the history of Otago with regards to the changes and their leading factors over the years in multiple fields.

The exhibition features articles, artefacts, stories and memorabilia collected to perfectly portray the history of the region.

James Cameron - Challenging the Deep: The exhibition opens from the 21st of July, 2019 and remains operational till the 9th of February, 2020 and has an additional admission fee for those who wish to attend the same.

The exhibition features artefacts, specimens and cinema scale projections from the expeditions of the famous explorer and filmmaker James Cameron along with some of his Oscar-winning feature films.

Admission Charges:

NZD 17.5 - Adult
NZD 9.5 - Child
NZD 14 - Concession card-holders/Student/Senior citizen
NZD 45 - Family Pass

Korero Pono: The exhibition features the stories and experiences of sixteen Kiwis who were affected by incarceration along with artwork to elucidate these experiences and tales.

It remains open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, 15th of July and from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 12th of July, 2019 at the HD Skinner Annex.

Tips

The museum has strict rules and policies that must necessarily be followed by the visitors.
Smoking, running, flash photography and bringing food and drinks from outside in the galleries is strictly prohibited.
Objects must not be touched or tampered with unless prior permission is given by museum staff and children under the age of 13 should preferably be accompanied by an adult.
The museum offers a baby changing area and a play area for children and also locker storages which are coin operated for items like bags, coats, etc.

How To Reach Otago Museum

The Otago Museum is located at 419, Great King Street in North Dunedin.
It lies at a distance of five blocks from the Octagon which is within the main town and at a distance of 30 kilometers from the airport which is around half an hour from the museum, along the State Highway 1.
Visitors can use both public and private transport to reach the museum.
There are three bus stations that lie closest to the venue, namely the Otago Museum bus stop, the Cumberland street 594 bus stop and the George Street 504 bus stop.
Metered street parking is available near the venue at NZD 2 per hour.