Museum of Wellington

This is a very good museum of the sea. It is situated near the harbour and is free. Children will love all the history and the hands on activities. As one enters the museum there is a mouse that runs between bags of flour, depicting the storage sheds of the day,making it realistic. There is lots to see and do in this museum. Steering wheels to turn,grinder to move, ships cabin to discover, phone conversations to listen to.

Children are always fascinated with the movie about the Wahine, a ship that sank in Wellington Harbour. There is also an excellent retelling of a Maori legend with the actual human characters superimposed in miniature into the scene. Anyone interested in the history of Wellington will find a visit fascinating and if you want a momento or even a Wellingon history, there is a well-stocked museum shop.

The museum occupies what was originally the Wellington Harbour Board Office and Bond store, built to a design by Frederick De Jersey Clere, in 1892. It has a room devoted to him and the building design. The former Harbour Board boardroom indicates the importance of shipping to Wellington in a previous age.