Kaikōura Museum

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

Housed in a modern building designed to resemble a crayfishing pot, this whizz-bang museum illuminates the region's geology and natural and social histories with well-curated exhibitions. Highlights include the fossilised remains of a plesiosaur and a mosasaur, a holographic prisoner in a padded cell, and poignant displays on the 2016 earthquake.

Must-see attractions

Explore all