Lakes District Museum
49 Buckingham St
Arrowtown 9302
Monday to Sunday 9am–5pm (except Christmas Day)
The Lakes District Museum in Buckingham Street is one of New Zealand’s leading small museums. There are lots of hands-on exhibits that present a picture of early Maori life and the pioneering settlers and gold miners.
The museum also houses an art gallery, bookshop and information centre, and research facility, as well as a busy education programme. The museum also runs the post office across the road.
Prices
Adult $10
Senior 65+ $8
Child at school $3
Child under 5 free
Family (two adults, two children) $20
Membership
Benefits of becoming a member of the Lakes District Museum & Gallery include:
- Free entry into the museum
- 10% discount on retail purchases
- Free entry for pay-to-view exhibitions in the gallery
- Members evenings and special events
- Invitations to exhibition openings
- Access to archives and research room
- Voting rights at AGM
- Museum newsletter.
Membership categories
Individual $20
Student $10
Couple/family $30
Individual life membership $200
Art gallery
The museum’s art gallery hosts a variety of art and historical exhibitions. Space in the gallery can be booked and is highly sought after.
Admission is free.
Bookshop and information centre
At the museum shop you can find books covering natural and social history, historical fiction, local history and tramping as well scenic photography books, postcards, gift cards, calendars and souvenirs.
Staff can also help with booking activities and accommodation, and planning walks and cycle rides. You can also hire a gold pan.
Research
The museum has a purpose-built archive facility with a sophisticated computer search system. Resources include newspapers dating to as early as 1885, files on over 400 Wakatipu families, vital records, cemetery records, school registers and directories, photographs and many others.
Access to the archives is by appointment only.