Museums in Tasman and Nelson

There are a range of museums to visit - this page provides contact details and opening hours. Please note that as some museums rely on volunteer staff, opening hours may fluctuate.

Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao 

Since 1842 the Nelson Provincial Museum has acted as guardian and the gateway through which the wider community can access their regional history. The special exhibitions gallery also regularly hosts a number of curated or travelling exhibitions.

The Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao

Corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets, Nelson 
Phone: 03 548 9588 
Fax: 03 548 9589
Email: enquiries@museumnp.org.nz
Website: www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz

Opening Hours

10.00 am - 5.00 pm weekdays
10.00 am - 4.30 pm weekends/Public holidays (from 1.00 pm Anzac Day)
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day

Free Admission for Ratepayers and Residents

Admission to the Regional Gallery is free for Nelson-Tasman ratepayers and residents. There are admission fees for visitors:

  • Adults $7
  • School children $3
  • Preschoolers FREE
  • Family groups $15 max [any 2 adults and accompanying children]
  • Admission fees will apply for all visitors to some touring exhibitions.

The Nelson Provincial Museum Research Facility

Hilliard Street, Isel Park, Stoke
Phone: 03 547 9740 
Facsimile: 03 547 8549
Email. enquiries@museumnp.org.nz

Opening Hours

12.30pm to 4.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment.
Closed Easter, Christmas and New Year holiday periods and public holidays.

Free Admission - donations are appreciated. Research and reproduction fees may apply

 

Motueka District Museum 

Housed in the old High School building in the town centre. View our displays of artefacts from Motueka’s past, plus changing exhibitions and public research room.

140 High Street, Motueka
Phone/Fax: 03 528 7660
Email: savepast@ihug.co.nz

Free Admission: Donations are appreciated
Winter (April to November): Tuesday to Friday, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Summer (December to March): Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Golden Bay Museum and Gallery 

Golden Bay Museum displays a diorama depicting Abel Tasman’s 1642 encounter with local Māori. There are displays on Māori and European history, minerals and shells of the region. The museum has a reference library and archives for researchers on local history. Photos from the archives are available and staff can undertake research.

Commercial Street, Takaka
Phone: 03 525 6268
Fax: 03 525 9990
Email: goldenbaymuseum@xtra.co.nz
Web: www.virtualbay.co.nz/gbmuseum

Opening Hours

Summer: (Labour Weekend until Anzac Day) Daily 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Winter: Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 2.00 pm

Collingwood Museum 

Collingwood Museum is housed in the former 1910 Council office in Collingwood, and was established as a museum in 1969. Display rooms feature aspects of the early development of the district – home and school, gold, coal, timber and farming, military, horse gear, mineral and adze collections, plus other memorabilia, including a ‘through-the-years’ photographic display.

Tasman Street, Collingwood
Tel/Fax: 03 524 8131
Email: gbradley@xtra.co.nz

Admission by donation

Open daily 9.00 am-6.00 pm

Golden Bay Machinery and Settlers’ Museum 

Appropriately sited in the old Collingwood Cheese Factory this museum features all manner of early tractors, farm machinery and implements, vehicles, horse gear and a wide range of settlers’ items. A working steam section with ‘Steam Up’ days held at Easter, Labour Weekend and Christmas/New Year. There is a pioneer kitchen with a coal range where scones are baked and served on ‘Steam Up’ days.

Rockville
Tel/Fax: 03 524 8131

Admission by donation

Open daily from 9.00 am

Murchison District Museum 

The main feature of this museum is photographs and stories of the 1929 Murchison Earthquake.  It also houses vintage farm machinery and implements, local historical publications along with photographic and document archives. There is also a photocopying and laminating service.  Local family history queries welcomed.

60 Fairfax Street, Murchison
Tel/Fax: 03 523 9392
Email: gbradley@xtra.co.nz

Admission by donation

Open daily 10.00 am-4.00 pm

Pigeon Valley Steam Museum 

This museum is a peaceful park, 2km from Wakefield. “Live Steam Days” are held on the first Sunday of each month and every Sunday in January, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. It features old tractors, engines, a working sawmill and many exhibits from yesteryear. There is a picnic area and children’s playground.

Pigeon Valley, Wakefield
Tel: 03 526 7822

General Admission: $2.50 Adults, 50c for children, which includes traction engine and rail jigger rides.

Open daily