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The Kauri Museum, Matakohe

4.7
#1 of 39 in Museums in Northland Region
Must see · History Museum · Museum
Delve into the history of some of the nation's first European settlers at The Kauri Museum, documenting the profound impact of the local forestry industry. Visit the museum's extensive undercover outdoor grounds, housing an array of artifacts and displays related to the harvesting of indigenous kauri trees and the lives of 19th-century pioneers. You'll find, among other things, sets of kauri-wood furniture, period clothing, a working sawmill, and even a gigantic kauri tree stump. Don't miss the displays detailing the usages of kauri gum, a resin extracted from the trees and turned into intricate artwork, fire starters, and more. Use our Matakohe online trip itinerary planner to add The Kauri Museum and other attractions to your Matakohe vacation plans.
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Tours to The Kauri Museum

FROM $22 BOOK WITH VIATOR Story of New Zealand's oldest living resident 'The Kauri Tree'
Duration: 45 minutes
Tours from $22 »
FROM $1,658 BOOK WITH VIATOR 5-Day Guided Tour of Northland Explored Heritage Byways
Duration: 5 days
Tours from $1,658 »
FROM $7,727 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour
Duration: 21 days
Tours from $7,727 »

The Kauri Museum reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
819 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By Dawn L
    We visited this museum 25 years ago with 3 teenage children (who still remember the visit). We hadn't really intended to go back again but had some time to fill in - the time was really well filled...  more »
  • By njp67
    Really enjoyed the variety of displays - not just timber. Great being able to see how people lived during that period. Also great that the displays were so interactive and not everything was shut off....  more »
  • By santo-trainsspotter7
    This is a museum with long and colorful histories and stories about Kauri and the people whose life have very intense relationships with Kauri. Kauri loggers, Gum diggers, products and arts...  more »
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Google
  • By Grant Bremner
    If you call in past the Kauri Museum in Matahohe in the North West of New Zealand you are in for a treat. Detailing the history of the logging industry and life you will be amazed at what is on show. Models depicting real people of the times at work and at play are scattered around the museum and we found them to be very realistic. There are so many interesting artifacts on show you could easily spend the whole day in the museum absorbing all of the visual displays and taking in all of the available information.
  • By Rob Russell
    VERY worth a visit. A great re-creation of life in early New Zealand, especially in the Northland region. The Kauri Museum depicts the great many ways in which the mighty Kauri tree, as well as it's gum resin, played a central role in many fledgling colonial New Zealand communities.
  • By Steve Brown
    What an interesting museum, that is well worth a visit to learn about Kauri trees. The building looks tiny from the outside but you can lose yourself in their for hours looking at the Kauri gum, trees and machinery. Suitable for all ages.
  • By noel Birchfield
    Amazing place well worth a visit. Great value for money. Best museum I've been 2
  • By Penny Ross
    Fascinating museum lovingly put together. Well worth a visit. The cafe also makes lots of homemade treats .
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