1 / 3Whanganui Regional Museum
📍 Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui
A well-laid-out museum that works for kids who like to touch and explore, with hands-on bits the little ones love, detailed Maori and New Zealand history, and warm, helpful staff.
Wanganui is a very beautiful city. We visited the museum, the library and the art gallery. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures in the art gallery. The museum also has the gift shop on the ground and the beautiful café where we had lunch afterwards. We shared the mixed salad for $18.00 and it was big enough for two of us. We were visiting the library on our way out of the museum. I like that these places are all in one area. . I recommend to pay a visit.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
This is a solid pick if you've got kids who like to touch and explore, since the hands-on bits go down well with the little ones and grandkids alike. The Maori and New Zealand history displays are genuinely well done and the staff are warm and happy to help, so it works for a relaxed family outing without much fuss.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →522 Google reviews
PL V
“Wanganui is a very beautiful city. We visited the museum, the library and the art gallery. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures in the art gallery. The museum also has the gift shop on the ground and the beautiful café where we had lunch afterwards. We shared the mixed salad for $18.00 and it was big enough for two of us. We were visiting the library on our way out of the museum. I like that these places are all in one area. . I recommend to pay a visit.”
Murray Graham
“This a great museum with awesome displays of many New Zealand Historical items and events. The displays were well laid out and the explanations were excellent. It would be one of the best museums I have visited in New Zealand. The staff at reception were most helpful and very polite. They answered all my questions and helped to make my visit very worth while.”
Sandra D
“As a researcher this place holds so much information. It is best to follow online instructions so you can request exactly what you are looking for. Do the homework to locate specific items, request to view them and then visit. The permanent display is well worth a drop in.”
Emilia
“It’s a very nice but so detailed museum. A nice woman named Cindy welcomed us warmly and talked us through the different exhibition. We then wandered around and we were positively surprised about the big Maori exhibitions! We would definitely recommend visiting it!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The kind of museum where the hands-on corners keep the little ones busy while you actually get to read the detailed Maori and New Zealand history displays, which are genuinely well done. Staff go out of their way to help - families mention being welcomed and walked through the exhibits by name. Prams get in easily and there's a gift shop, so it's an easy, relaxed outing that suits grandkids and parents alike.
