Exploring one of Northland’s finest museums in a powerchair
One of the things we love most about travelling is discovering places that surprise us.
Our three-night Northland road trip in Charly, New Zealand’s only wheelchair-accessible campervan available for hire, began with a drive north from Auckland’s North Shore along the scenic Kauri Coast. Our first destination was the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, a place we’d heard wonderful things about and couldn’t wait to explore.
Conveniently located on State Highway 12, the museum sits roughly halfway between Auckland and the Bay of Islands. It’s around a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Auckland, making it the perfect first stop before continuing further north towards Waipoua Forest or the Hokianga.
The Kauri Museum tells the remarkable story of one of New Zealand’s most iconic trees and the people whose lives revolved around the kauri forests. Rather than simply displaying artefacts, the museum recreates the industries, homes and communities that grew around Northland’s timber and gumdigging heritage.
As accessibility reviewers, we were interested to see how such a large heritage museum catered for wheelchair users, and whether preserving history could successfully go hand in hand with inclusive design.
Arrival & Parking
Parking couldn’t have been easier.
There was plenty of room directly outside the museum for Charly, allowing Finlay to safely exit via the rear-entry hoist before we made our way to the entrance.
The large double-glass entrance doors made access straightforward, and from the moment we arrived it felt as though wheelchair users had genuinely been considered.
First Impressions
The receptionist welcomed us warmly, handed us a Te Tai Tokerau Northland Visitor Map, and pointed out the platform lifts providing access to the museum’s upper levels.
The reception area itself is spacious and easy to approach in a wheelchair. While the customer service was excellent, the counter is set at a standard height, and there isn’t a lowered section for wheelchair users who may have difficulty reaching the EFTPOS terminal. A portable payment terminal or accessible counter section would make the arrival experience even more inclusive.
Before beginning, we checked out the accessible toilet.
It was spacious, easy to manoeuvre within, and had the standard accessible layout you would expect. Nothing flashy, but practical, functional and exactly what many travellers need.
For our family, however, it doesn’t fully meet Finlay’s access requirements. As a full-time powerchair user who requires hoisting and personal care, we need larger, more specialised facilities than a standard accessible toilet can provide. We always like to include information about the accessible toilet in our reviews because, while it may not suit our needs, it will be suitable for many other wheelchair users and visitors with mobility impairments.
The museum journey begins with The Forest Walkway.
Visitors pass through a darkened corridor where illuminated “trees” and subtle floor lighting create the feeling of walking through a native forest before the space suddenly opens into the spectacular Volunteers Hall.
Like many people with sensory sensitivities, Finlay can sometimes feel a little anxious when moving from one environment to another. The dramatic transition from the darkened walkway into the vast open hall initially caught him by surprise, but it didn’t take long before he settled into the atmosphere and began taking it all in.
Standing proudly in the centre is the magnificent Balderstone Kauri, an enormous polished kauri log measuring 22.5 metres in length. Gifted to the museum after the original tree was struck by lightning, it immediately captures your attention and provides a stunning centrepiece to the hall.
It certainly captured Finlay’s attention.
Well… perhaps not quite in the way the museum intended!
As he relaxed into the space, his excitement took over, and his joyful vocalisations echoed throughout the enormous hall, attracting a few smiles from nearby visitors.
Then something rather special happened.
A lovely lady recognised Finlay from his Facebook page and came over to introduce herself. Moments like that always remind us how many people quietly follow Finlay’s adventures, and it was wonderful to finally meet one of them in person. Encounters like these make our travels even more meaningful, reminding us that the stories we share through Grab Your Wheels are connecting with people in ways we never imagined.
The Saw Mill
Moving into The Saw Mill, the museum really comes alive.
Here you’ll find a complete working sawmill where the machinery operates slowly, allowing visitors to safely observe exactly how giant kauri logs were transformed into usable timber.
At its heart sits a remarkable Davey Paxman Compound Portable Steam Engine, built in England in 1921. Believed to be one of only two surviving examples in the world, and probably the largest Paxman portable ever built, it powers the impressive collection of historic saws throughout the mill.
Wide timber walkways made navigating the exhibits in Finlay’s powerchair straightforward, while several accessible push-button displays brought sections of the machinery to life.
Sometimes you will come across steps to view exhibits, but often you will discover you can access that level from the other end via a ramp or bridge.
There was something fascinating in every direction.
Finlay’s Favourite Stop – The Boarding House
One of the biggest surprises of the day had nothing to do with giant trees. It was the Boarding House.
Access is provided via a gentle side ramp, allowing wheelchair users to simply roll inside.
That may sound ordinary. For our family, it isn’t. Most homes simply aren’t accessible to Finlay, so being able to enter through the front door of a historic home felt surprisingly meaningful.
Inside, beautifully furnished rooms recreate everyday life in Northland during the kauri era.
The mannequins are modelled on real local people, and the boarding house itself reflects the important role these buildings played in small communities, providing accommodation while also serving as temporary workplaces for travelling professionals like dentists and bankers.
Interestingly, this became one of the quietest parts of Finlay’s visit. He simply watched. Sometimes familiar environments say far more than giant machines.
Operational Machinery Wing
Leaving the quiet atmosphere of the Boarding House, we stepped into the Operational Machinery Wing, where the story shifts from domestic life to the hard work of establishing Northland’s farms.
This gallery showcases the machinery that helped shape both the kauri timber industry and early farming practices. Saddles, harnesses, wool-processing equipment, stationary engines and farming tools fill the space, illustrating how life evolved once the forests had been cleared.
One of our favourite interactive exhibits was the old milking display. With the push of a button, visitors can watch the milking process in action, a simple feature that helps bring history to life for children and adults alike.
The museum continues to impress with its accessibility here. The pathways remain wide, allowing Finlay to comfortably navigate around the large machinery and displays. Despite the size of the equipment, there was plenty of room to stop, take photographs, and spend time reading the stories behind each exhibit.
From here, the journey naturally flows into the Smith Wing, where the focus returns to the mighty kauri and the enormous machinery used to fell, transport and mill these remarkable trees.
The Smith Wing
Massive kauri logs sit alongside the original equipment used to fell trees, haul logs from the forest, mill timber and collect kauri gum.
Towering steam engines.
A recreated pit saw. A horse-powered bush whim.
A blacksmith’s workshop, and a bush shanty. A working model of a kauri dam used to flush logs downstream. Every display helps paint a picture of just how physically demanding life once was.
One exhibit we particularly loved was a beautifully carved wooden bath made from a single kauri log. According to the museum, it was handcrafted by a local farmer during the 1920s for his wife, who refused to move to the farm unless it included a proper bath.
Leaving the Smith Wing, we entered the Sterling Wing, another beautifully recreated period home dating from around 1880–1920.
The Sterling Wing
Filled with authentic furniture, original décor and Northland heritage pieces, it demonstrates just how extensively kauri timber was used to build homes and create furniture that has survived for generations.
Nearby, more impressive timber machinery continues the story.
Towards the end of our visit we decided to take the platform lifts to explore the museum’s Research Library and Archives. These two small upper levels house an extensive collection of historical books, photographs and archival material documenting Northland’s kauri forests, pioneering families and timber industry.
The platform lift comfortably accommodated Finlay’s powerchair, although Rosie squeezed in alongside him to help with positioning.
As anyone who knows Finlay will understand, confined spaces aren’t exactly his favourite place, and historical archives weren’t likely to hold his attention for long! Even so, we really appreciated that these upper levels had been made accessible. Too often in heritage buildings, galleries and research collections remain hidden behind staircases, so it was encouraging to see everyone given the opportunity to explore them.
Gum Room
Our final stop before making our way to the gift shop was the Gum Room, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of kauri gum.
Beautifully illuminated displays showcase thousands of pieces of fossilised kauri resin in an incredible variety of shapes, sizes and colours, from rich golden ambers to almost transparent honey tones. It’s easy to see why kauri gum was once referred to as “Northland’s gold”, with the industry playing a major role in the region’s economy during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The exhibits explain how gum was dug from ancient forests, graded for quality and exported around the world for use in products such as high-quality varnishes, linoleum and jewellery. It’s a fascinating chapter of New Zealand’s history that many visitors may know little about before arriving.
From an accessibility perspective, the displays are easy to navigate, with wide pathways allowing wheelchair users to move comfortably around the gallery and spend time admiring the remarkable collection at their own pace.
By the time we reached the end of the museum, it felt as though we’d travelled through every chapter of Northland’s kauri story, from the mighty forests themselves, to the people who lived and worked among them, and finally to the precious gum that became one of the region’s most valuable exports.
Exit/Gift Shop
No visit to The Kauri Museum would be complete without a browse through its beautifully presented gift shop.
Unlike many museum stores, this one feels thoughtfully curated, offering a wonderful selection of books, locally made crafts, jewellery, souvenirs and gifts inspired by Northland’s rich history. There are also handcrafted kauri pieces, kauri gum keepsakes and educational resources for those wanting to learn more about the region after their visit.
From an accessibility perspective, the shop is spacious and easy to navigate. The aisles provided enough room for Finlay to move comfortably in his powerchair, allowing us to browse without feeling cramped or having to constantly manoeuvre around displays.
It’s the kind of place where it’s easy to spend longer than you intended, whether you’re looking for a meaningful keepsake or simply taking one last look before continuing your Northland adventure.
When it was time to leave, we exited through two large hinged glass doors. A member of the museum team kindly opened both doors for us, making it easy to wheel Finlay’s powerchair through without having to negotiate the heavy doors ourselves. It was a small gesture, but one that rounded off our visit with the same welcoming hospitality we had experienced throughout the museum.
Lunch at the Gumdiggers Cafē
After several hours exploring the museum, it was time for some lunch before setting off again in Charly to continue our Northland adventure. Conveniently located directly across the road from The Kauri Museum is the Gumdiggers Café, making it an easy stop before getting back on the road.
Access into the café is via a portable ramp leading to a hinged glass entrance door. While the doorway isn’t particularly wide, Finlay’s powerchair fitted through comfortably without any issues.
Once inside, the café is surprisingly spacious. There was plenty of room to manoeuvre around the tables, and unlike some cafés, we didn’t have to weave our way through tightly packed furniture. This made moving around with a large powerchair straightforward and stress-free.
The service counter is also at a comfortable height for wheelchair users. Plates, cutlery and other self-service items are within easy reach. The only area that proved a little less accessible was the pie and savoury display cabinet. Like many cafés, selecting food from behind a glass counter can be difficult when seated in a wheelchair, particularly if you’re unable to point clearly or reach over the display.
Fortunately, there were plenty of friendly staff on hand who were more than happy to assist, making the process quick and easy.
The café was a lovely place to relax, recharge and reflect on everything we’d experienced before continuing our journey further north.
Continue the Adventure
Our visit to The Kauri Museum was the perfect way to begin our Northland road trip aboard Charly, New Zealand’s only wheelchair-accessible campervan available for hire.
From here, our adventure continued north into the magnificent Waipoua Forest, where we discovered that one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions is also one of its most accessible.
➡️ Read next: Tāne Mahuta Accessibility Review – Can Wheelchair Users Experience New Zealand’s Largest Living Kauri?
Our journey then continued east to Whangārei, where we explored the beautiful Whangārei Falls and discovered just how much of this stunning reserve can be enjoyed by wheelchair users and families alike.
➡️ Also read: Whangārei Falls Accessibility Review – A Surprisingly Accessible Waterfall Experience
If you’re planning your own accessible Northland road trip, these reviews provide practical information, accessibility tips and honest insights to help you get the most from your journey.
Happy travelling,
Kimberly & Finlay
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