Canterbury Museum is one of Christchurch’s most popular attractions, located in the central city next to the Botanic Gardens.

Entry is free and donations are appreciated. Learn about the natural history of Canterbury, the people who have made their homes here and our connection to Antarctica.

The Māori galleries display treasures and tools from our region’s first people. The Christchurch Street and Victorian Museum recreate the nineteenth-century city. Learn about the heroic explorers of the icy continent and see objects from the Museum’s internationally significant Antarctic collection.

Other highlights include the gold-plated motorcycle that belonged to world speedway champion, Ivan Mauger and displays of the now-extinct giant bird, the moa. At the world-famous kiwiana icon, Fred & Myrtle’s Pāua Shell House see more than 1,000 pāua shells, the most you’ll find in any one place. Children will love learning about the natural world in their own area, Discovery.

11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City,
Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
P: +6433665000
Email: info@canterburymuseum.com

Canterbury Museum Admission:

Free (donations accepted)

Plan: 1-2hr

Canterbury Museum Hours:

Daily 9 am – 5 pm

canterburymuseum.com

Image via https://www.facebook.com/canterburymuseum/photos/

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Opened to the public in 1979, the massive Southward Car Museum has two showrooms displaying cars of all kinds, including a wide range of vintage vehicles by iconic car manufacturers, including Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, and Bugatti. Many of the vehicles have their own stories, whether they were a gift to Hitler, a gangster’s ride riddled with bullets, or a DeLorean DMC-12 like the one in Back to the Future.

Beyond the cars, there’s Redhead, the boat that Sir Len drove at 101 mph (163 kph) in 1953, making it the first boat in Australasia to travel faster than 100 mph (161 kph). And the 14-acre (5.5-hectare) museum grounds, aka the Dell, offer a lovely pond, tranquil bushwalks, and ideal picnic spots.

Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga,
Paraparaumu 5036, New Zealand
P: +6442971221
Email: levi@southwards.co.nz

Southward Car Museum Admission:

Adults $21
Children 5-15 $5
Under 5 free

Plan: 1hr

Southward Car Museum Hours:

Daily 9 am – 4:30 pm

southwardcarmuseum.co.nz

Image via https://www.facebook.com/Southwardcarmuseum/photos

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Don’t miss Invercargill’s leading visitor attraction, Bill Richardson Transport World. One man’s passion started it all – and this family legacy has become the largest automotive museum of its type in the world. But if you think it’s strictly for petrolheads, think again.

With more than 300 vintage vehicles (running the gamut from Henry Ford letter cars to Volkswagen Kombis to 1930s V8s and classic trucks of every make and model imaginable), a movie theatre, wearable arts, a LEGO room, New Zealand’s largest display of retro McDonalds toys, and quirky themed bathrooms, here you’ll discover something for everyone.

491 Tay Street, Hawthorndale,
Invercargill 9810, New Zealand
P: +64800151252
Email: info@transportworld.co.nz

Bill Richardson Transport World Admission:

Adults $35
65+ $30
Child $20
Under 5 free

Plan: 1hr

Bill Richardson Transport World Hours:

Daily 10 am – 5 pm

transportworld.co.nz

Image via https://www.facebook.com/transportworld/photos/

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