Otago Museum and Discovery World in Dunedin, Dunedin, New Zealand | Museum

Welcome to Otago Museum and Discovery World in Dunedin, New Zealand,  one of the world's best Museums.
Discover the richness and vibrancy of the southern region through outstanding collections covering culture, nature and science.  Whether you have an hour to spare or a day to enjoy, you'll find something to inspire, enlighten or excite you at Otago Museum and Discovery World.
The Otago Museum and Discovery World grew out of a suggestion, in the early 1860s, that colonial, gold-rich Otago should publicly exhibit a representative collection of its diverse rocks. When Provincial Geologist James Hector’s collection of 5,000 rocks and minerals went on display at the trade-promoting New Zealand Exhibition in Dunedin in 1865, the Provincial Government of Otago decided to act on the suggestion, by then enlarged to envision a Museum of natural history. A steering committee was formed but nothing emerged, largely because of a lack of funds and a suitable location.
In July 1868, the impetus for a Museum was revived, and this time rooms were made available in the Post Office building in Dunedin’s Exchange area. On 15 September that year the Otago Museum and Discovery World was opened to the public. The following year the University of Otago moved into the same building,  the beginning of a long-standing link between the two institutions.