Otago's special natural history is highlighted in our Nature Galleries which include impressive displays of bird and insect life. Get a close-up view of the Royal albatross and the endangered hoiho (Yellow-eyed penguin) and see recreations of insects in their natural habitats. Come face to face with the giant moa and see one of the world’s few complete moa eggs.

The Nature Galleries feature the living things, both native and introduced, which make Otago an ecologically diverse region. The form of the land and coast, the Pacific Ocean, and the waterways that traverse the region, have all shaped the Otago landscape.

The Galleries explore microfauna – that is smaller creatures of our Otago ecosystems, from insects to frogs, and megafauna – the larger animals from abundant birdlife, the Himalayan tahr to the New Zealand sea lion. Do you know what life looks like inside the depths of a cave? Did you know that glow worms are actually not worms at all? Come and find out more and take in the variety of Otago’s ecosystems. 

Downloadable Children's Activity
Frog Puppet