Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
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Why go
- Josephine, an 1872 Fairlie steam locomotive and the oldest preserved steam locomotive in New Zealand
- Kai Tahu display: 150 years of settlement seen from the Māori side
- The Roll of Honour in the military history display, listing Dunedin people who died at war
- Windows on a Chinese Past: the hard life of Chinese migrant workers in the goldfields from 1865
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- Smith GalleryWalls covered in portraits of early settlers, often called the Portrait Room. The room was once a memorial room for early settlers.Inside the museum at 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin
- ICT 1301 mainframeA computer in the digital technology section, one of only four in existence.Digital technology section, inside the museum
- Across the Ocean WavesShows settlers' life on a sailing ship during the months-long crossing.Inside the museum at 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin
- Traditional Chinese gardenA traditional Chinese garden opened to the public in 2008. It is one of very few such gardens outside China.Behind the southern wing of the museum
Know before you go
- Open every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
What's inside
- Two Burnside wings covering regional history from pre-European times to the nineteenth century
- Permanent displays on Dunedin's radio and television industry and the Dunedin sound music scene
- Hall of History: the life of settlers in Dunedin and the Otago province
- Cooke Howlison Gallery: past transport in the region
- Josephine and JA 1274, two preserved steam locomotives
- Air-conditioned photo archive and a self-service research area
Tips for your visit
- The main entrance, a gift shop and a cafe are in the north wing, called the Josephine Foyer.
- The displays run in chronological order, so the two Burnside wings, covering pre-European times, are the place to start.
- The former bus station next door, an art deco building, now holds vintage transport and machinery.
- The Dunedin Cenotaph stands in the centre of Queen's Gardens, just outside the museum.
- The exhibition space covers about 1670 square metres across the museum.
Interesting facts3
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1274
JA 1274 is the youngest preserved steam locomotive in New Zealand.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum - Wikipedia -
1274
The locomotive JA 1274 entered service in 1956 as the last steam locomotive built by the New Zealand Railways Department.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum - Wikipedia -
Shanghai, the sister city of Dunedin, partly gave the Chinese garden as a gift.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The museum began with the Otago Early Settlers' Association, founded in 1898. E. B. Cargill, son of William Cargill, was its first president. A renovation began the same year.
- 1872Josephine, the Fairlie steam locomotive, arrives in parts at Port Chalmers, is assembled there and serves until 1916.
- 1898The Otago Early Settlers' Association is founded; E. B. Cargill is its first president.
- 1908The museum opens in a Queen's Gardens building designed by John Burnside.
- 1927The museum takes over the adjoining Burnside building, vacated by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
- late 1920sJosephine is saved and becomes the first preserved locomotive in New Zealand.
Show all
- 1994A concourse designed by Francis Whittaker links the former bus station to the old museum.
- 2008A burst water main floods and damages the museum; no artefacts are beyond repair.
- 2012The museum reopens after renovation, with an investment of NZ$38.5 million, as Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Sources: Toitū Otago Settlers Museum - Wikipedia · Otago Settlers Museum - Wikipedia · checked 27 Oct 2026
- Website
- toituosm.com/
Questions and answers
What are the opening hours of Toitu Otago Settlers Museum?
The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
Where is Toitu Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin?
The street address is 31 Queens Garden. The museum stands in Queen's Gardens, and the Dunedin Cenotaph is in the centre of the gardens, just outside the building.
Is there a café at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum?
Yes. The north wing, called the Josephine Foyer, has the main entrance, a gift shop and a cafe.
How much exhibition space does Toitu Otago Settlers Museum have?
The museum has about 1670 square metres of exhibition space. The two Burnside wings cover regional history from pre-European times to the nineteenth century.
Can you visit the traditional Chinese garden at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum?
Yes. The garden behind the southern wing opened to the public in 2008. It is one of very few such gardens outside China.
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