Museums, Wellington

Walk through New Zealand's oldest prison! Listen to a 50-minute self-guided audio tour of Napier Prison while inspecting the vacant prison cells and deserted exercise yard. Learn the history and feel the oppressive atmosphere of the hanging yard, the solitary confinement and the death row cells. Hear the tales of Australasia's richest drug baron, numerous escape attempts, the ominous Eye Eater, and the graveyard. Take your time walking through the empty halls and enjoy several photo opportunities that are great for the family! Opening in 1862, Napier Prison is New Zealand's oldest penal complex. Begin your tour at the front gate and enter through the prisoner-built wall and walk through the Visiting Area where family members could see their loved ones. Take a look at the The Pound and see what solitary confinement meant in the 1900s, and visit the Detox Room where inmates would be disinfected and begin their new life behind bars. Next, step through the Courtyard where the Shower Block, Toilets, and Mess Hall are located. Learn about their meager meals and the few recreational activities available. As you enter the living areas, you'll witness the living conditions that inmates were subjected to, see how they left their mark on the Prison, and learn about the Earthquake that levelled Napier City. You'll make your way through the back of the Prison where you'll learn about the Graveyard and the prisoners that remain here. Finally, around the Cleaning Building, you'll visit the ominous Hanging Yard where several inmates met their end. This audio-guided tour allows you to take your time (or skip) certain parts of the Prison. The tour allows you to read extra information and take great photo opportunities along the way. http://www.nz.com/new-zealand/activities/napier/napier-prison-audio-tours.aspx

Discover New Zealand’s military aviation story at the place where it all began. Engage with stories of the men and women who have helped shape New Zealand’s military aviation journey, and reflect on their service and sacrifice through years of war and peace. http://www.christchurchnz.com/what-to-see-and-do/listings/air-force-museum-of-new-zealand/

Taupo Museum contains an array of exhibits with everything from Māori treasures, a ‘cute as’ Kiwiana caravan, a 'virtual' tour of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Art Galleries and a fishing tale or two. https://www.greatlaketaupo.com/things-to-do/listings/taupo-museum-ora-garden-of-wellbeing/

Discover Rotorua's rich culture, volatile landscape and legendary figures in this ‘must-see' museum. Explore the fascinating stories of Rotorua’s beautiful Government Gardens during the free walking tours hosted by Rotorua Museum guides who won the TrustPower Rotorua Lakes Council Community Supreme Award for their Outside the Walls walking tours. Despite Rotorua Museum being closed for earthquake strengthening until 2021, Museum guides have continued taking tours, sharing the fascinating history of the area that became known as the Government Gardens. Visitors learn about New Zealand’s most photographed building, the iconic Rotorua Bath House*, from spa to restaurant, cabaret to a night club and finally home to Rotorua Museum. Their stories include the Spanish Mission/Art Deco style Blue Baths, almost as famous as the Bath House and those of the other heritage buildings in the vicinity. https://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/see-and-do/museums-galleries/rotorua-museum

Mitai Maori Village is an indigenous cultural experience incorporating a traditional hangi meal, cultural performance, warrior canoe and sacred freshwater spring. Nau Mai, Haere Mai - Welcome! An evening at Mitai will give you an authentic introduction to Maori Culture, leaving you inspired as well as entertained. Learn about our history, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art). Be captivated by the displays of weaponry and combat, coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance, followed by a spine tingling haka finale. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting where you will see warriors in traditional dress padding a waka (ancient canoe), and don’t miss your only opportunity to see glow worms in the Rotorua area. https://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/see-and-do/maori-culture/mitai-maori-village-(1)

A classic car museum with something designed to cater for every member of the family.We have over 100 cars for display and an extensive collection of petrol, pedal cars and early pin ball machines. http://www.visithamilton.co.nz/see-and-do/museums-and-galleries/classic-car-museum

Welcome to Auckland Museum, where exciting stories of New Zealand people, the Pacific, flora, fauna and landforms of our unique islands, are told within a memorial dedicated to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. https://www.aucklandnz.com/visit/discover/arts-culture-heritage/art-gallery/auckland-museum-tamaki-paenga-hira

The Dunedin Gasworks Museum is part of the now closed Dunedin Gasworks which was New Zealand’s first and last gasworks, operating from 1863 until 1987. https://gasworksmuseum.org.nz/index.php/about

Arrowtown is a living historic settlement with many stories to tell. Wander the tree-lined streets of restored cottages and explore gold mining sites. One of the most picturesque settlements in New Zealand, Arrowtown sits alongside the gold-bearing Arrow River and is just 20 minutes from Queenstown. The town was established in 1862, during the height of the Otago gold rush. The settlement grew quickly as pioneers constructed cottages, shops, hotels and churches, more than 60 of which can still be seen today. The gold days are long over (although you can still pan for gold in the river with some success), so Arrowtown's focus is on hosting visitors. Play a round at the challenging local golf course or take a 4WD journey to Macetown, a ghost town accessible only by wagon track, or simply while away some time wandering the streets, café hopping, or catch a film!https://www.newzealand.com/au/arrowtown/

The award winning Lakes District Museum is set in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown and presents an authentic picture of early life in the Wakatipu District. Displays portray pre- European Maori, European settlement and the exciting goldrush era of the mid 1800's. The museum has an attached gallery showing changing art and history related exhibitions.An excellent bookshop/giftshop is also attached. https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/things-to-do/culture-and-heritage/museums/listing/lakes-district-museum

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum (AM) is Australia’s first museum and has been at the forefront of scientific research, collection and education for more than 185 years. Through exhibitions and other public programs the AM continues to inform and amaze generations of visitors about the unique flora, fauna and cultures of Australia and the Pacific. https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/city-centre/attractions/australian-museum

Manning Entertainment Centre offer first class facilities for the performing arts, from school productions and amateur theatre to artists of national and international acclaim. The Manning Entertainment Centre is a 505 seat theatre in Taree, New South Wales and serves the residents of the Manning Valley, Great Lakes, Gloucester and Camden Haven regions. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/forster-and-taree-area/taree/attractions/manning-entertainment-centre

Looking for the perfect introduction to local Kanak culture? Plan a visit to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa, where art, history, culture, knowledge and natural beauty combine to delight and educate adults and children alike. Housed within beautifully designed buildings and landscaped grounds, the centre sits just minutes from the city, offering a fantastic selection of permanent and temporary exhibitions to discover. A visit to the centre is a must for any Nouméa itinerary. https://www.newcaledonia.travel/au/noumea/tjibaou-cultural-center

Built in the 1970s, the museum of New Caledonia asserts, in the late 1980s, its vocation as a museum of society and its objectives as to the enhancement of the Kanak civilization and the preservation of its heritage. Since then, this museum exhibits one of the most beautiful collections of Kanak art in the world, including monumental, and the most complete from the point of view of the themes it allows to address. In view of the Kanak collections of major European museums, the place occupied by the New Caledonia museum in the international museum world is particularly impressive. https://museenouvellecaledonie.nc/le-musee/presentation-du-musee

Located on Hobart's historic waterfront, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) has recently undergone a spectacular $30 million redevelopment. The second oldest museum in Australia, TMAG has its origins in the collections of the country's oldest scientific society, the Royal Society of Tasmania, which was established in 1843. Opened in March 2013, the redevelopment includes more than 2,000 square metres of new public and exhibition spaces, a centralised visitor services hub and a new Courtyard Café. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/tasmanianmuseumandartgallery

The Maritime Museum’s mission is to promote an understanding of the maritime heritage of Tasmania and its importance to people's lives through research, interpretation and presentation of our maritime history to the community. As an island state, the sea is significant to all Tasmanians. The museum explores the influence of the sea on the lives of Tasmanians and the strong maritime heritage of the islands. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/maritimemuseumoftasmania

One of Australia's most significant convict precincts is only a short walk or Red Decker bus ride from Hobart's CBD (at the 'Old Hobart Gaol' stop). The Tench, as it was known by its inhabitants, was the convict prisoners' barracks for Hobart Town. It originally spanned over two acres and some 50,000 male convicts passed through the complex. Following the cessation of convict transportation, the site became Hobart Gaol for more than 100 years. This fascinating history can still be discovered in the buildings which remain - a captivating insight into over 175 years of Hobart's shadier past. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/attraction/thetench

Australia's stories come alive at the National Museum of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The Museum's stunning architecture provides an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people. https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/56b23afad5f1565045d7fc53/national-museum-of-australia

The award-winning Richmond River Historical Society Museum has one of the best historical collections in regional Australia. The museum is located in the heritage-listed former Lismore Municipal Building, with the main exhibition displayed within the old Council Chamber. Panels of local rainforest timbers line the walls of the museum. https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/lismore-historical-society-and-museum

Prepare to be amazed as you experience the entertaining and unique wax museum right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Meet people who made history, movie stars, scientists, explorers, villains, royalty and world leaders all presented with startling realism and dressed in authentically reproduced costumes. http://www.surfersparadise.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-wax-museum

Queensland Museum is the State’s centre for natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievement. Home to permanent and changing exhibitions and collections, the museum also provides innovative public programs, educational experiences plus holiday and early child hood activities. The Queensland Museum is also home to the Sciencentre, where visitors can take part in exciting - and educational - kinetic and interactive displays and experiments. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/galleries/queensland-museum-and-sciencentre?sc_lang=en-au

Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is located across two riverside buildings in South Bank’s Cultural Precinct. QAGOMA presents an evolving program of Australian and international exhibitions, with a focus on the contemporary art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Immerse the family in creativity at the Children’s Art Centre and see the best in international film and video at the Australian Cinémathèque. QAGOMA offers cafes, modern dining and shopping to complete your visit. https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/brisbane/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/galleries/queensland-art-gallery-and-gallery-of-modern-art--qagoma?sc_lang=en-au

The National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) is an independent Australian museum dedicated to the heritage and legacy of Vietnam veterans. The museum was founded and built by Vietnam veterans to help and support veterans to cope better with their experiences during the Vietnam War (1962-1975) and after their return to Australia. https://www.visitphillipisland.com/listing/national-vietnam-veterans-museum/

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Situated over two magnificent buildings – NGV International and NGV Australia – the Gallery hosts a wide range of international and local artists, exhibitions, programs and events; from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion and design, architecture, sound and dance. https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/

A living part of Melbourne's modern Chinatown, the Chinese Museum is a national museum, brought into being in 1985 to document, preserve and display the history of Australians of Chinese descent who have helped shape and develop what it means to be Australian today. An exciting range of changing exhibitions, heritage tours and public seminars are some of the ways by which the Chinese Museum shares the past, culture, and values of Australia's Chinese community with the wider public. Educating existing and future generations of Australians it places importance on our identity and what is means to be Australian. A goldfield's mine re-creation, displays about early Chinese industry such as furniture making and the banana industry, imperial garments and images of the Young Chinese League's debutantes of the 1930s onward, evoke some of the richness of the Chinese contribution to Australia's history. The Museum is also home to Dai Loong and the Millennium Dragon, the largest dragon in the world, which weaves through the streets of Melbourne following a 100 year old Melbourne tradition. The Museum is a popular and important educative resource for teachers and educators alike visited by a huge number of school children 25,000 per annum to learn about multiculturalism, local and Australian history, Chinese arts and culture. http://www.melbourne.com.au/chinese-museum-melbourne.htm

Sea, sand and sail are the key to Queenscliff’s history. Visit Queenscliffe Maritime Museum to discover the treasures of its rich maritime heritage, shaped by its proximity to the entrance of Port Phillip and its notorious ‘rip’. From sea pilots to sailors, fishermen to boat builders, light keepers or ferry captains, the sea has created a world full of stories of boats and maritime industry. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/things-to-do/art-theatre-and-culture/museums/queenscliffe-maritime-museum

The ultimate objective of the Fort Queenscliff Museum is a fully restored Fort and the development of a museum, which will allow visitors to tour the Fort and inspect a multitude of indoor and outdoor displays. Today visitors are encouraged to look upon Fort Queenscliff as a part of the national heritage which belongs to all Australians. Accordingly, the Fort Queenscliff Museum creates an environment that evokes public interest and reminds visitors of our early military history. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/maritime-history/fort-queenscliff-museum

The Queenscliffe Historical Museum is situated in Hesse Street between the post office and library, in the township of Queenscliff. Opened in 1974, specifically to house socially historical materials peculiar to the Borough of Queenscliffe (which includes Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Swan Island) the museum is home to many thousands of items including photographs, documents, paintings, newspapers and toys, just to mention a few. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/queenscliffe-historical-museum

The Old Geelong Gaol and Museum has a great variety of displays that tell the history of the gaol and visitors get hands on experience of the harsh conditions prisoners and staff endured at the facility. Visitors can experience solitary confinement cells, get a taste of prison life, meet some infamous figures who have spent time at the gaol and see the original hallows. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/old-geelong-gaol

Located just 300 metres from the beach, the Portarlington Mill was constructed in 1856 with rough local sandstone and Baltic Pine floors. The interior spaces are quintessential mid 19th century industrial style: large open spaces with heavy timber posts and beams enclosed by natural stone. The Mill is one of the few remaining and preserved Victorian flour mills. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/things-to-do/art-theatre-and-culture/architecture-and-design/portarlington-mill

The National Wool Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1872 bluestone wool store close to the vibrant new Waterfront Geelong. The Museum is Australia's largest comprehensive museum of wool, showcasing the region's wool story from the sheep's back to the clothes rack and from the birth of the industry in the 1840's to its place in the world today. https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/geelong-and-the-bellarine/things-to-do/art-theatre-and-culture/museums/national-wool-museum

The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Australia's oldest regional gallery, located in the heart of Ballarat's central heritage precinct, boasts a stunning collection of Australian art. Its busy exhibition schedule makes the Gallery an exciting and dynamic place presenting a range of exhibitions from cutting edge contemporary art to themed shows drawn from the Gallery's extensive collection, and special interest ticketed shows. http://www.visitballarat.com.au/attraction/art-gallery-of-ballarat

The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum was established in 1985 and is a community cultural initiative funded by the Gladstone Regional Council. It is dedicated to promoting art and heritage for and by the communities of the Gladstone Region and Central Queensland, acting as a focal point for the preservation and display of the region's history and cultural heritage. https://www.gladstoneregion.info/gladstone-regional-gallery-and-museum