Traveller Overview

4.5 2,639 reviews

Excellent59%
Very good34%
Average5%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

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“paua house”(98 reviews)

“new zealand”(334 reviews)

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About

Free entry (donations appreciated) where you can experience New Zealand's rich cultural and natural history. See rare Maori artefacts and more than 1,000 pāua shells adorning the walls of the famous Pāua Shell House. Walk down the Christchurch...more

Certificate of Excellence

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Hours Today: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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Suggested duration: 1-2 hours

Contact

Rolleston Ave, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand

Website

+64 3-366 5000

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Reviews (2,639)

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piriot

Stresa, Italy

563160

Reviewed 6 days ago

Free entrance, worth it.

The museum tells interesting facts about how Christchurch was built by the British to look like their homeland. It also tells about the Moari culture the British destroyed.

Date of experience: November 2019

Thank piriot

It is great to hear that you found some interesting stories and objects here at the Museum and thank you for taking the time to post a review. Kind regards, Donna

Naresh1936

Mumbai, India

21458

Reviewed 6 days ago

Excellent

The museum, adjoining the botanical garden, is a must see. It’s large collection and exhibition of a variety of interesting subjects is superb. The display is totally professional.More

Date of experience: November 2019

Thank Naresh1936

Thank you very much for your enthusiastic review of our Museum. We like to think we offer a wide variety in our collection, something that will engage everyone at some point, however it is always good to learn from our Visitors that we are achieving...More

ElvisPKing

Palmerston, Australia

256235

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Eclectic Display

Located next to the Botanic Gardens and easily accessed from Tramway stop 12 this excellent museum displays exhibits from pre human occupation through the coming of the Moriori and Maori people to European settlement. There is a strong link with archaeological discoveries which are catalogued...More

Date of experience: November 2019

1 Thank ElvisPKing

What a wonderfully comprehensive review of your recent visit to our Museum. We are indeed very fortunate to not only be housed in a beautiful, heritage building but to have the Botanical Gardens as our neighbour. Thank you so much for taking the time to...More

375deirdreb

4

Reviewed 1 week ago

Varied and interesting

Enjoyed learning about the early history of the area then the replica shops, period furniture and the antarctic exhibition. I loved the clothing the best, some truly wonderful items. We didn't go upstairs so could have returned if we had had time. Everything was presented...More

Date of experience: October 2019

Thank 375deirdreb

How fabulous to read what a memorial visit you had with us even with just one of the floors of exhibition galleries visited. Thank you so much for taking the time to write up your experiences. Kind regards, Donna

k0sm056

Kelowna, Canada

400116

Reviewed 1 week ago

Really enjoyed

. Loved all the New Zealand history in this museum. Very informative and interesting. Cafe upstairs was good too.

Date of experience: November 2019

Thank k0sm056

How happy it makes us to read that our visitors have taken home such warm memories of their time spent in our Museum. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with others. Kind regards, Donna

Robert S

Coquitlam, Canada

69497

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Historical

Very nice displays and artifacts about the area and the island. It will give a better understanding of the Maori people and the struggles when the explorers and settlers came. I would spent about an hour here.

Date of experience: November 2019

Thank Robert S

We are so fortunate to have such a wide variety of artefacts which means we have a greater opportunity to tell a wide range of stories from Canterbury history. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. Kind regards , Donna

ZeebruggeExplorer

Sarasota, Florida

37267

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Italiana

This museum is huge and offers a lot of history. The information of the Maori was spectacular and all areas in the museum offer a lot of history. They also offer a nice cafe.

Date of experience: October 2019

Thank ZeebruggeExplorer

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review of your recent visit to our Museum. I am so pleased your enjoyed yourself and learnt something along the way. Kind regards, Donna

pamelajBrisbane

Brisbane, Australia

6538

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Well worth the time!

The museum is free to enter and you can voluntarily offer a coin donation or more if you wish. It is warm and cosy inside and a good escape from the wind or rain if that's the case. What I found so interesting was the...More

Date of experience: October 2019

Thank pamelajBrisbane

Thank you so much for your incredibly comprehensive review of your very recent visit to our Museum. I am so pleased you went away with more of an understanding of the Māori people. We are so fortunate to have the extremely beautiful Botanical Gardens as...More

healthyeater41

Bristol, United Kingdom

9618

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Interesting especially on early settlers

The museum is well laid out and accessible with information well displayed and clear. Easy to navigate.

Date of experience: October 2019

Thank healthyeater41

Thank you for taking the time to leave your comments, we do hope you enjoyed your visit and learnt something along the way. Kind regards, Donna

Guildfordabc

546

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

LOCAL AND ANTARCTIC HISTORY

A fascinating place to visit and set in a beautiful building. Highlights include a historic street reproduction, Maori displays and the Antarctic room. Special exhibitions are worth seeing too - eg on the Arctic. Upstairs is a very good cafe with views over the Botanic...More

Date of experience: September 2019

Thank Guildfordabc

Thank you so much for writing an extremely comprehensive review of your very recent visit to Canterbury Museum. We have an eclectic range of artefacts, we hope amongst them every visitor will discover something with which they can engage. We are extremely fortunate to be...More

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Questions & Answers

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Philip H

How long do I need to fully explore Canterbury Museum?

January 26, 2016|

AnswerShow all 8 answers

Hi there, I'd say at least 2-3 hours. Although I love history, I prefer to do museums in chunks otherwise, everything starts blending together. Maybe spend a little time there, then do one of the open bus tours which begin... More