Welcome to The New Zealand 

Timber Museum 

Discover History, Trains, and Timber in the Heart of Putāruru

A unique family-friendly destination where New Zealand’s forestry heritage comes to life

Welcome to the New Zealand Timber Museum, a must-visit attraction in Putāruru. Set on a beautiful six-hectare reserve in South Waikato, our museum is home to 11 historic buildings, ancient native trees, interactive exhibits, and New Zealand’s largest model railway display, TrainWorld. Whether you're after an affordable family day out, an educational adventure, or a scenic stop on your road trip, we offer something for all ages and interests.

Explore the original Tuck and Watkins sawmill, walk through our 45-year-old native forest grove, and step into a fully restored 1911 pioneer schoolroom. Kids will love our interactive wildlife exhibits and seeing real vintage forestry machinery in action. And TrainWorld is not to be missed - a dazzling, custom-built model railway experience featuring native forest, plantation scenes, and log-export ports.

Enjoy delicious food and coffee at Redwood Café, browse our gallery and gift shop, or relax on the Village Green. We also offer venue hire for private functions and events, including bespoke weddings.  With special events, guided tours, and seasonal activities, there's always something new to discover.

Plan your visit today and experience the rich timber history of Aotearoa!