Artefacts, letters and photographs bring to life the stories of early Māori, in particular those of local iwi Te Atiawa, as well as the area’s rich maritime history and wildlife.

Overlooking the scenic foreshore and Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, located on the site of the original Waitohi Pa, the museum is affiliated with Museums of Aotearoa and has pieces from the local area dating back as far as 1700.

Learn about the arrival of European settlers in Picton and Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, through the eyes of the families who lived here. See pieces from the original Picton hospital and inventions made by local people.

The museum’s whaling display, including tools, photos and equipment, gives a true insight into the harsh, tough job of the whalers once based in the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait.