Toitu¯ Otago Settlers Museum

Ashort walk from the gingerbread splendour of the Dunedin Railway Station, this is an absorbing museum located in a linked row of individual heritage and modern buildings that are worth a look themselves.

But it’s what’s inside that is the real attraction: the story of the Otago region told through displays featuring more than 100,000 exhibits, many of them with a relatable domestic angle, from food to clothes to houses to cars.

Through the 14 galleries, you begin with early Ma¯ori inhabitants and progress to recent times, inevitably recognising at some point that your own history overlaps, whether it’s a school uniform, twin tub washing machine or clunky-looking computer.

Why go?

Because this is such a good example of a modern museum, with techy interactive elements that make the artefacts easy to connect with. The elegant Smith Gallery, for example, is a room artistically lined with typically prim paintings of pre-1864 settlers whose stories and personalities you can access through a touchscreen, making them so much more real.

There’s something for everyone: a rare steam engine in the foyer, stories of Ma¯ori life in the region, 150 years of locally-designed clothes, early technology, vehicles from bicycles to a cable car, 1980s alternative music, and a solemn and respectful memorial to those who left Otago for war service.

There’s an especially good temporary exhibition (until July) showing that local women were at the forefront of the suffrage movement: 57 per cent of Dunedin women signed the 1893 petition. The recreation of settlers’ accommodation on board their immigrant ship is vividly uncomfortable, there’s a section on whaling and, of course, the gold rush, with even an acknowledgement of the red light district – its inevitable side-industry.

Insider tip

If you have children with you, plan to spend time in the early settler’s house, where there are 19-century clothes for you all to try on. And try the penny-farthing you can sit on.

On the way/nearby

The Chinese Garden is right next door, for something a bit different – and you really should go to marvel at the ornate glories of the Railway Station just along the road. As you head back towards the Octagon, if you haven’t already indulged at the museum’s cafe, the Potpourri Vegetarian Cafe in Stuart St does a good coffee and cake, and the Two Squirrels Vintage Emporium next door is well worth a browse.

How much?

Admission is free, and so is the wi-fi inside – but a donation is always welcome. The museum is open every day, 10am-5pm, except for Christmas Day. There may be a charge for special exhibitions.

Best time to go

An ideal place to lose a few hours in any weather. See toituosm.com.