Butler Point Whaling Museum

About

Butler Point Whaling Museum is located at Hihi, near Mangonui in New Zealand's Doubtless Bay, a popular supply centre for international whaling and maritime fleets in the 1820s–1860s. The Butler Point property comprises the house which was relocated to its current situation in 1847 by whale ship captain and entrepreneur William Butler. It was moved from its earlier position on nearby Paewhenua Island, just across the bay.

The homestead has been well preserved by the current owners and contains several heirloom items. There is also a purpose built museum housing one of the finest collections of whaling artefacts in the country, including a restored, fully equipped whaling boat, tryworks, a collection of harpoons, models, scrimshaw and items from the whalers who called into Doubtless Bay, including the US whaling ship, Charles W. Morgan, the last surviving wooden whaleship in the world.

In addition, there are extensive sub-tropical gardens and grounds on the property, including a 12 metre circumference pōhutukawa tree, one of the largest in Aotearoa New Zealand. Butler House is listed as a grade 1 heritage building by Heritage New Zealand, and the grounds have been formally recognised...