It is all about the people of Dunedin and their stories from the earliest settlers through to those who have recently arrived.

HOURS & ADMISSION
We are open every day except 25 December.

10am- 5pm in summer (October - April)
10am - 4pm in winter (May - September)
Late night Thursdays until 8pm

There are toilets in the Josephine Foyer, in the First Great City Gallery and the NZR Foyer.
Admission is free, and the Museum is open. Charges may apply to special exhibitions. There is also free WiFi and a free bag and coat check.

CAMERAS AND PHONES
You can take photos and video in the Museum for personal, non-commercial use.

PARKING AND ACCESS
The museum is a hop, skip and a jump from the Octagon and is between the Chinese Garden and the historic Railway Station, in the cultural heritage precinct.

'Pay and Display' parking is available around the museum and close to the main entrance. Payment can be made with coins, credit card or by text-a-park. Disabled parking is available in the car park beside the main entrance. All museum galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and other assistance dogs are welcome.

GALLERIES
In our galleries you can trace the fascinating journeys from the earliest settlers, Kai Tahu and their ancestors, to the most recent arrivals.

Our themed galleries weave the stories of past and present with future thinking, featuring interactive displays with stunning visuals and powerful narratives. Still photography and video in the museum for personal (non-commercial) use is allowed. Flash or artificial lighting is prohibited.

Our Visitor Hosts provide a friendly and helpful information service about the museum exhibitions, public programme, events, and facilities. As a group, they are certified First Aiders. Posted throughout the museum, Visitor Hosts are dressed in black clothing and distinctive museum branded waistcoats. Please feel free to approach our Visitor Hosts and ask questions.The museum is smoke-free.

FAMILIES
Pushchairs and strollers are allowed. They must be under the control of an adult. Parenting rooms are located beside the Josephine Foyer and the First Great City Gallery. A change table is also available in the NZR Foyer female toilets. No food or drink is permitted in the museum galleries.

Our doors first opened in 1908, the 60th anniversary of the founding of Dunedin city and the Otago province.

We trace the lives of our settlers – indigenous Maori, the early Chinese, and the following waves of migrant groups – and their technological innovation, art, fashion, domestic life and transport.

We are housed in the original Edwardian galleries, Dunedin's former New Zealand Rail Road Transport Building and the modern entrance foyer.