Modern purpose-built theatres, meeting rooms and public spaces make the Otago Museum a versatile and appealing venue for any business or social gathering.
With a range of flexible options available, including equipment hire and delicious catering, the friendly and professional Venues team will ensure the smooth running of all events.
Please contact us to discuss your needs and make a booking for your best event yet. For floor plans of our venue hire spaces, please see our venue hire information pack.
The Otago Museum is situated in the heart of Dunedin’s vibrant tertiary sector, close to both motel and hotel accommodation, and only a few minutes walk from Dunedin’s town centre. Spanned by two of Dunedin’s main thoroughfares – Great King Street and Cumberland Street, the Otago Museum is easily accessible for pedestrians and motorists.
This well-appointed, versatile theatre is located on the ground level of the Museum. It has the following features:
- Capacity for up to 200 guests theatre style, 120 guests banquet or cabaret style, 300 guests for a social function and 50 guests boardroom or classroom style
- Direct external access from the Museum Reserve
- Flexible lighting
- Excellent audio-visual facilities
- Adjoining unisex toilet
- Ceiling mounted data projector
- Wall mounted projection screen
- Built-in sound system
- Wheelchair access
Both comfortable and contemporary, this theatre links to the Museum Atrium. It has the following features:
- Tiered seating for up to 72 people
- Comfortable seating with optional writing tables
- Excellent audio-visual facilities
- Flexible lighting
- Ceiling mounted data projector
- Wall mounted projection screen
- Built-in sound system
- Wheelchair access
Located on the ground level, this room functions as an excellent breakout room or small meeting facility. It has the following features:
- Capacity for 50 guests theatre style, 24 guests banquet or cabaret style, 50 guests for a social function and 24 guests boardroom or classroom style
- A moveable wall so it can be divided into two separate spaces
- Access to the Museum Café
- Adjoining unisex toilet
- Complete blackout facilities
- Wall mounted projection screen
- Whiteboard with pens and eraser
- Wheelchair access
Ideal for small meetings, interviews or boardroom-style gatherings, this room is located on the ground level of the Museum. It has the following features:
- Capacity for 15 guests theatre style, 10 guests banquet or cabaret style, 15 guests for a social function and 10 guests boardroom or classroom style
- Whiteboard with pens and eraser
- Boardroom style table
- Wheelchair access
This modern, versatile space is a suitable for formal functions, weddings, cocktail parties, presentations, concerts, live performances, balls, breakfasts and product launches. It has the following features:
- Capacity for up to 850 guests over three floors or smaller groups in the foyer, Level 1 or Level 2
- A stunning piece of large-scale suspended art, by Dunedin artist Marilynn Webb
- Outdoor balcony overlooking the Museum Reserve
- Wheelchair access
The Atrium is available to hire outside Museum opening hours (10am–5pm).
The perfect space for a truly enchanting event, the lush Tropical Forest is the only multi-level butterfly house in Australasia. It is suitable for social functions, weddings, celebrations, presentations, products launches and formal functions. It has the following features:
- Capacity for up to 100 guests for a social function and 40 guests banquet or cabaret style
- Mounted screen from the ceiling
- Built-in PA system
- Wheelchair access
Discovery World Tropical Forest is available to hire outside Museum opening hours (10am–5pm).
Host an event with a difference in one of the Museum’s themed galleries.
The following galleries are available for hire: Animal Attic, Nature, People of the World, Pacific Cultures, Tangata Whenua and Southern Land, Southern People. They are suitable for formal functions, cocktail parties, presentations and welcome functions.
The Museum galleries are available to hire outside Museum opening hours (10am–5pm).
| Banquet | Cabaret | Theatre | Social Function | Cocktail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hutton | 120 | 120 | 200 | 300 | 300 |
| Kakapo | 24 | 24 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Huia | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Barclay Theatre | 72 | ||||
| Atrium (total) | 460 | 460 | 430 | 850 | 850 |
| Atrium Foyer | 210 | 210 | 200 | 350 | 350 |
| Atrium Level 1 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 300 | 300 |
| Atrium Level 2 | 100 | 100 | 80 | 200 | 200 |
| Animal Attic | 50 | 50 | 50 | 100 | 100 |
| Nature | 95 | 95 | |||
| Southern Land, Southern People | 30 | 30 | 30 | 300 | 300 |
| People of the World | 150 | 150 | |||
| Pacific Cultures | 150 | 150 | |||
| Tangata Whenua | 135 | 135 | |||
| Discovery World Tropical Forest | 40 | 100 | 100 | ||
| Boardroom | Classroom | U‑shaped | |||
| Hutton | 50 | 50 | 35 | ||
| Kakapo | 24 | 24 | 24 | ||
| Huia | 10 | 10 | 8 |
