Welcome to our award-winning Museum and home of the region's taonga and other treasures.

 

Nelson Provincial Museum

Nelson Provincial Museum is located in the heart of Nelson City on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets. Our Museum rests on the same town acre block that the Museum occupied in 1842.  

The Regional Gallery leads visitors through an exploration of Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island from Tasman Bay to Golden Bay. This treasure-filled exhibition focuses on the region's fascinating history and identity, offering an opportunity for hours of discovery.

The Upper Gallery is home to our short-term and touring exhibitions, as well as our teaching classroom and a rooftop garden. A vibrant stained-glass window featuring of the unique creatures and plants of Aotearoa may be admired from the top floor.

We recommend setting aside an hour or more to enjoy the galleries.

 

Admission

There is no admission charge to the Regional Gallery for Nelson Tasman residents. Fees may apply for temporary exhibitions.

The general admission fee for non-Nelson Tasman residents is:

  • Adults $7

  • Concession (Gold Card) $5

  • Tertiary Students (with ID) $3

  • Children* $3

  • Preschoolers (under 5 years of age) FREE

The Museum also has koha donation boxes situated in the downstairs and upstairs foyers, should you wish to support us in this way.

*Please note that all children under the age of 14 must legally be accompanied by an adult to visit our Museum

Opening Hours

10:00am - 5:00pm weekdays

10:00am - 4:30pm weekends / public holidays

The Museum is closed Good Friday and Christmas Day

  • Hāpai Access Card accredited: Our staff are trained to understand accessibility barriers and provide appropriate support. Learn more.

    Wheelchair access: All exhibition spaces are accessible by wheelchair.

    Hire a wheelchair: We also have two wheelchairs for hire which can be pre-booked if required.

    Lifts: We have exhibitions and galleries on two levels which are accessible by a lift.

    Accessible toilets: There are accessible toilets located on both levels.

    Mobility parking: A mobility parking space is available on Hardy Street near the Museum Entrance.

    Assistance dogs: We welcome certified assistance dogs when assisting a person with a disability. Please ensure the dog wears the appropriate coat and carries a valid ID card.

    For visitors with hearing impairments: We are in the process of captioning the videos we have on display.

    For visitors with vision impairments: We are in the process of creating specific tours for low vision and vision impaired visitors.

    Exhibition Social Story: For a guide to visiting our new exhibition including what to expect on a visit, click here to download the social story for the Animal Antics and Te Hītori Aotūroa Exhibitions.

  • In the case of an evacuation, our trained staff will follow procedures to assist visitors with impairments or special needs.

  • Sweet As Café: Sweet As Café is connected to the Museum and is accessible via Trafalgar Street or through the Museum.

    Coat and bag Check-in: For the comfort and safety of visitors and collections, large bags, backpacks and tripods cannot be taken into the galleries. These can be left safely with Front of House Staff who will give you a numbered tag.

    Eating and Drinking: No food or drink is allowed to be taken into the galleries as eating or drinking in the galleries is not permitted.

The Museum is certified with the Hāpai Access Card scheme.

This means that our front of house staff have undergone training and are ready to support visitors who show their Hāpai card.

Check out our profile page on the Hāpai Access Card website to learn more.

Location

The Nelson Provincial Museum
Trafalgar and Hardy Streets
Nelson Central, Nelson
Tel. +64 3 548 9588
Email. enquiries@museumnp.org.nz

Postal Address

The Nelson Provincial Museum
Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao
PO Box 853, Nelson 7040, New Zealand

 

Sustainable Transport Options

This map shows the bus stops (green) closest to Nelson Provincial Museum (red)

 

  • Catch a bus! Check out the new Nelson Tasman eBus Website for Routes and Timetables.

  • Bike racks are located on 3 corners of the intersection outside the Museum entrance on the corner of Hardy and Trafalgar Streets.

  • Our Museum at the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets is fully accessible to wheelchair users

  • Prams are welcome throughout the museum or can be parked inside near reception.

  • Scooters, skates, skateboards, unicycles… can be left with our Front of House team

  • Walk to the museum through the pedestrian-friendly Upper Trafalgar Street.

 
 

360° Virtual Tour of the Nelson Museum

Take a tour of our Museum from the comfort of your home. This virtual tour guides you around our exhibition spaces, featuring exhibitions current at September 2021.