About Canterbury Museum

      The iconic Canterbury museum is steeped in the history of Christchurch and New Zealand. This historical museum has basically stemmed from the personal collection of the 19th-century geologist and explorer Julius von Haast in 1870 and now houses over two million artifacts. .  Immerse yourself in topics ranging from Antarctic exploration, Maori historical tableaus and of course the world famous Paua House from Bluff, great exhibits on the extinct Moa, the Ancient peoples, and European occupation history.  The museum has quite the eclectic mix of showrooms, which will interest everyone. The museum houses a wonderful collection of artifices both local and international.  The short videos explain a lot such as how axes were made from greenstone. Enjoy the dioramas of life in the remote past among the native Maori people and their remarkable, practical artwork in Greenstone. Be prepared to get totally stumped by the Museum's unique Antarctic Gallery that celebrates the heroic age of discovery and exploration. Selling the dream is one collection which is definitely worth to visit. Selling the Dream is a collection of world-class tourism posters which has helped in promoting New Zealand’s unique attractions in an age before television and the Internet. The themes promoted through the posters, which are created by some of the country’s finest commercial artists, reveal New Zealand’s developing national identity in the early twentieth century. One of the most well-known taonga in Canterbury Museum is this small wooden carved figure of a kurī or Polynesian dog found at Moncks Cave near Redcliffs. Made of kānuka, this is the only known carving of a pre-European dog and an extraordinarily rare example of a wooden ornament, it was a pendant. You can see the first photographs that were taken by Louis Daguerre, after whom the daguerreotype is named. He had experimented with the idea of fixing an image onto a surface for several years before revealing his process. Be it a child or adult the museum is sure to fascinate one and all.

Must See

  • The commemorative display honoring NZ Speedway champion Ivan Mauger.
  • The exhibits on the Antarctica expeditions and the sledge dogs of Antarctica are great to see.
  • Early photograph techniques are displayed here. you can have a look. They have recreated the Pauahouse from the bottom of the south island here.
  • Very moving and impressive War Memorial digital presentation. 
  • Well presented display of garments of the 1800 and 1900s.
  • the Mountfort Gallery of European Decorative Arts and Costume. 
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How to reach

  • Taxi are available & take 6 minutes to reach here. charges 7 NSD. 
  • Take bus number 17, 17 Bryndwr - Huntsbury to reach there. The fare is 14 NZD. distance is 5 km.
  • By walk, it will take 11 minutes to reach.

Tips

  • Best time to visit the museum is from 09:00 am - 03:00 pm. The rush will be a little less.
  • Wheelchairs are available from the foyer, but to book them you need to first email the museum.
  • They have recreated the Pauahouse from the bottom of the south island here, take time for visiting this. 
  • Be sure to carry drinking water, you generally don't find a good one there.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, need to walk a little.
  • Carry comfortable winter wear to keep it handy in case.
  • Although there is free entry yet donations are appreciated at the museum.
  •  

Visit Time

Sunday :       09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.

Monday :       09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.                                                        

Tuesday :      09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.                                                             

Wednesday : 09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.                                                      

Thursday :    09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.                                                            

Friday :        09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.                                                             

Saturday :    09:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.                                                              

 

 

Time Icon

Waiting Time

need to wait at parking

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

2 hours

 

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Weather

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