Our rental car spent most of the day in a downtown Wellington parking garage, a welcome respite from driving for me. We visited the Wellington Museum in the morning. There, I learned about the Wahine ferry disaster. Wellington is the windiest city in the world, and on April 10, 1968, 125 mph gusts in a severe storm blew the Wahine onto the Barrrett Reef causing it to eventually capsize and sink. 53 souls lost their lives in the worst maritime disaster in the countries modern history. Wellington is also well know for early developments in steam power (see model below).

After lunch, we took a 3-hour small bus tour of the entire bay area with a very knowledgeable and funny guide.

A side thruster propeller from the ill-fated Wahine located at a memorial to those who lost their lives.

The final stop was at the base of the famous Wellington Cable Car. We rode up, passing through the colorfully lit tunnels and arriving at the top for a brief tour of the Cable Car Museum and the Carter Observatory.

After the tour, Jeanine visited the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa while I opted to photograph a Pride Day parade happening in the city.