Museum of Natural Mystery

The Museum of Natural Mystery is housed in a central villa at Royal Terrace and displays over 200 skulls, bone sculptures, ethnographic artifacts, and biological specimens spread across three rooms. The collection combines scientific objects with artistic works and cultural pieces from many different cultures.

Bruce Mahalski, a mural artist and sculptor, opened this museum in March 2018 after working as an unofficial intern at Otago Museum during his teenage years. This experience shaped his approach to displaying objects and blending science with art.

The museum displays nkisi sculptures from the Congo and decorated cards from the Iraq War that reflect international perspectives on culture and history. These objects come from different parts of the world and tell stories of people and their traditions.

Plan your visit during regular opening hours and it helps to check in advance if the museum is closed on specific days. The building is comparatively small, so budget a few hours for looking through the displays.

The exterior fence features decorations inspired by Easter Island's rongorongo script, while inside displays include a plate from England connected to a historic execution. These surprising details show the founder's interest in history and artistic elements.

Location: Dunedin City

Inception: 2018

Founders: Bruce Mahalski

Official opening: March 23, 2018

Address: 61 Royal Terrace, Dunedin

Email: mahalski@outlook.com

Website: http://royaldunedinmuseum.com

GPS coordinates: -45.86550,170.50443

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:03