Toitu Otago Settlers Museum — Attraction in South Island

We walked past this building, and another couple told us it was really good, so we went back the following day.

The name is off-putting, with connotations of colonialism, but they have made quite an effort to recognise all New Zealand's people, the common heritage and shared history - often by intermarriage between the groups.

There is a lot to take in here, and as a Scot a lot of the history is one of Scottish Presbyterianism, that I find it easy to recognise.

Above all, there were some very good snippets of personal stories, that helped to humanise the story of Dunedin. There is a power in hearing someone tell their story from the past.

One that appealed to me was of the town planner. It had been agreed that Dunedin would have gas lighting and the town was responsible for providing the lights. They put them out to tender, but he wasn't happy with any of the offers, so decided to design his own. I see that as a very Scottish response: "I can do better than this myself."

One interesting thing is how prosperous they were, particularly around the time of the gold rush, they really were pioneers.

That's only a very brief introduction to the breadth of the museum. Allow 2-3 hours at least, if you like to browse and read the information, as we do, rather than just...

I had a fantastic experience visiting the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. The early history exhibits were fascinating, providing a deep dive into the region's rich past. One of the highlights for me was the section dedicated to computer history, where I was amazed to see Dunedin's first computer—an enormous machine the size of a house!

The Automotive section was equally impressive, featuring a variety of vehicles that have played a significant role in the area's history. I particularly enjoyed exploring the electorate tram bus and the police car, where you can even sit in the back and get a feel for the experience. Additionally, the collection of carriages on display was breathtaking, with some of them being absolutely massive.

Overall, the museum offers a diverse range of exhibits that cater to different interests, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend a visit to the Otago Settlers Museum for anyone interested in history...

I did not plan to visit this museum. I had finished my sightseeing and was headed to my hotel. As I was passing by, I realized the museum was open, so I stopped in. The building is very modern and the exhibits are well ordered. The museum details the history of the first settlers to arrive in Dunedin through to the present day. It was fun to hear the music, see the types of clothes, furniture, and cars change throughout the years. Dunedin is a melting pot of many kinds of people. I especially enjoyed listening to accounts from sections called "our voices" and the room filled with photos of the first settlers. I spent about an hour in the museum and I wish I had more time. I highly recommend it. This museum has free entry. On this day, the museum had extended hours in the gift shop. They were playing Christmas music,...