Discovering Otago Museum and Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin (Day 4)

I as well as Yen wanted to make the most of the day; hence we went to visit Otago Settlers Museum and followed by Otago Museum after the tour of Cadbury World.

We’re educated about the past and beauty of Dunedin from the Otago Settlers Museum which is established in 1898. We learned the people by visiting the Smith Gallery that displayed hundreds of image collection of settlers and their descendants.

Image collection at The Smith Gallery

The Transport Gallery is another gallery in the museum that demonstrated the changing in transportation influenced by technology. There’re a range of classic cars, motorbikes and bicycles exhibited in the gallery for visitors to enjoy.

 

A displayed penny farthing that visitors can ride



Triumph

 

A tram service used in the past

There’re also some temporary exhibitions organized in the museum. The one we sightsaw was the Fabulous Frocks II exhibition. We had a chance to view all those bygone women glorious gowns included the wedding gowns, evening and day dresses.

Otago Settlers Museum

Location: 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Tel: (03) 4775052

Opening hours: 10am – 5pm daily except Christmas Day & Good Friday

Admission is free.


Otago Museum is another world class informative museum that we loved to spend time in. A wide range of outstanding collections, excited exhibitions and events inspired the visitors included me and my friend. For instance, we gained the understanding of the prominent world archaeological treasures such as Egytian Mummy and Ancient Greek Pottery in the People of the World Gallery. Besides, we also discovered the Maori culture by exploring the Tangata Whenua Gallery.

There’re many other parts in the museum such as Pacific Culture Galleries, Maritime Gallery and Animal Attic that worth your visit, so don’t miss them!

  

  

Otago Museum

Location: 419 Great King Street, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Tel: (03) 474 7474

Opening hours: 10am – 5pm daily except Christmas Day

Admission is free except guided tours and special exhibitions.

Half Day Sightseeing in Wellington

One of the best ways to explore a city or place is by walking. Holding the city map on hands, May and I managed to visit some interesting places on the day. I was accustomed to do a little bit of research every time before I headed to a new place and also visited the local I-site. All the time I could get details map and information about the local tourism from there.

A tour in Wellington which you might be interesting is the Open House, it's the Parliament Experience. There are 3 historical buildings for you to explore: Parliament House, the Parliamentary Library and the Executive Wing which looks like a beehive. These buildings are close to each other and located in the heart of Wellington. There are gardens, statues, architecture...for you to sightsee. During the visit, a speaker of the House of Representative will guide the tour and provide the details of the buildings. If you are not that attracted by the tour, then you might fall asleep as it takes up to an hour. The good thing is there's no admission charge. However, you should check for the tour sessions prior visit. www.parliament.nz

The Beehive

Parliament House

Parliamentary Library

One of the well known attractions in Wellington that I highly recommend you to visit is the Museum of New Zealand named Te Papa, situated at Cable Street. Te Papa, in Maori language, means 'The Earth'. I know the word 'museum' may sound boring to some of you, but this one is somewhat different and more exciting. I'm sure you'll find something inside the large building that catch your eyes. How much is the entrance fee? It's free! :D www.tepapa.govt.nz

New Zealand's National Museum - Te Papa

There are about 20 galleries inside the museum and many collabrative displays for you to explore including the land, ocean & wildlife.

I have learn something about the ethos of Maori...

Te Hono ki Hawaiki(The link back to Hawaiki)

Heke(The rafters - the ribs of the ancestor)

Feature above: Tekoteko(Carved figure standing at the apex
of the badge boards)
Feature below: Koruru(The image of the ancestor's head)

Poupou(The carved figures representing the ancestor's various descendants)

Tukutuku(Decorative woven panels)

Some other displays of Maori culture...

Ahhh...Golden Days! I personally love it so much! I was brought back to the old days in the mini cinema, surprised by those moving features.

After the visit to Te Papa, we had a short walk to the harbour and took few more pictures before we got back to the hostel.