Wellington Museum Review: A FREE Quality Museum in Wellington

Wellington Museum was where we sought refuge from the winds and rains on our second day in Wellington. Thankfully we found that Wellington Museum is free entry for all visitors. Despite being a free museum, we found the exhibits at Wellington Museum to be of high quality with high educational value…

What We Learnt in Wellington Museum

Wellington is a good deep harbour port where travellers came for logging, flax and whaling…

Model of the port of Wellington New Zealand

Bond Store in the early days of Wellington New Zealand

Whaling industry in the early days in Wellington New Zealand

Traditional ships in Wellington with a beautiful figurehead

The Wellington Museum was formerly the Bond Store, where bonded cargo warehouse held goods. Moving on, we learnt about the early days of the whaling industry where whales were hunted for its blubber as energy fuels and also for its meat. There’s also an interesting room known as the Von Kohorn Room (Wellington Harbour Boardroom). It was here where momentous decisions were made, including the declaration of Poneke as the first nuclear-free port of Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud aka New Zealand)

Von Kohorn Room, once the boardroom of the powerful Wellington Harbour Board inside Wellington Museum

It was here that we also learnt about the Wahine Disaster that took the lives of 51 in 1968…

Description of Wahine Disaster in Wellington Museum

Listed Inter Island Ferry Wahine in Wellington Museum

Description of Wahine Disaster from Wellington Museum

“On 10 April 1968, Wellington was battered by a storm of save ferocity. As the inter island ferry T E V Wahine entered the harbour shortly after 6am, winds were gusting over 100 miles per hour.

Abeam of Pencarrow Head, the 8994 tonne vessel met with successive disasters: her radar failed, she was carried onto Barrett Reff where her hull was gashed, the starboard propeller was lost and the port engine failed. Her anchors were dropped but i was some time before they held firm, off Steeple Rock. Rescue attempts were thwarted by raging gales and massive swells.

By early afternoon Wahine’s 734 passengers and crew received the order to abandon ship. Because of a severe list, only 4 of the 8 lifeboats could be used. These had difficulty getting away, and one was driven across the harbour and capsized before landing on the eastern side.

Many of the 30 inflatable liferaft were flipped over by the 6 metre waves. Of those passengers who jumped into the sea, some were picked up by launches or lifeboats; others drowned, died of exposure, or were carried over to the eastern shore, only to be dashed against the rocks by the surf.

The tragedy inspired many acts of heroism and bravery. Passengers and crew helped others before themselves; large and small vessels engaged in valiant rescue efforts, and numerous individuals struggled in the surf to save wreck victims. Others provided comfort and medical attention to the shaken survivors who made it ashore.

The disaster claimed 51 lives. On Wahine Day, Wellingtonians commemorate those deaths and remember with gratitude the courage and initiative of those who took part in the rescue operations.”

The Wahine Disaster actually served as a reminder to us during our subsequent days in Wellington because the weather actually picked up resulting in high winds and rains. Not long after we left, Auckland and many parts of north island experienced widespread flooding.

Evergreen Coffee House Wellington Museum

At the top of Wellington Museum, there’s an area called the Attic, we particularly like this area because of the unique exhibits that tells of the history of Wellington. And of course, our favourite, a time machine! Known as Nga Hau, this cinema installation art brings you through the history of Wellington, all the way to the present and a glimpse of the future as well!

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If you’re visiting Wellington for the first time and have some time to spare, Wellington Museum is definitely a recommended attraction to learn about its history and view some unique and interesting exhibits here!

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New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 1: Flying SQ Business Class and Visiting the New SilverKris Lounge!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 2: Arriving in Auckland and Hanging out in Hamilton

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 3: Visiting Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua and Eat Streat in Rotorua

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 4: Mud Spa at Hell’s Gate Rotorua, Huka Falls, Dixie Browns and Millenium Manuel Hotel Taupo

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 5: Mini Golf, Lake Taupo Maori Cave Carving Cruise, Cornerstone Taphouse and Steaks at Edgewater Restaurant Taupo!

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 6: Mission Estate Winery, Te Awanga Estate, Remutaka Crossing and Hey Day Beer Co Wellington

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 7: Breakfast at Wellington Sea Market, Fork and Brewer Craft Beer, Wellington Museum, Rogue and Vagabond, Shelly Bay Wellywood Sign

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 8: Mount Victoria and driving back north to Bulls and Skotel Alpine Resort, Tongariro National Park

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 9: From Skotel Alpine Resort to Tama Lake, Mount Ngauruhoe with views of Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand Travel Itinerary Day 10: Stopping at Taumarunui enroute to Huhu Chalet and Waitomo Ruakuri Caves!