The Wahine disaster happened on 10th April 1968 when the Wahine a ferry operated by the Union Steam Ship Co. which ran services between Lyttelton and Wellington, capsized on Barrett Reef near the entrance to Wellington Harbour. 53 people lost their lives out of the 733 passengers and crew that were on board at the time.
Located around Wellington are 3 main sites where a memorial is located in memory to the tragedy that occurred.
The 2 main locations are either side of where the sinking occurred.
The 1st one is in situated on the outskirts of Eastbourne opposite the Bus Barn terminus. The site overlooks the Seatoun where the other main site is located.
Eastbourne
The Eastbourne memorial was unveiled on April 10th 2010 and includes on of masts that were salvaged from the Wahine. Also there are wooden structures that give the feel of a wooden sailing boats, and the whole area has been planted with native plants.
Seatoun Memorial Garden
On the other from Eastbourne is the Seatoun Memorial Gardens. It is located in Churchill Park overlooking Wellington Harbour and also looks towards the Eastbourne Memorial.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary on 10th April a silver link was added to the chain.*
It has a nautical theme and it includes a anchor that was salvaged from the Wahine.
Located around the coast between Seatoun and Moa Point and located near the Turkish Memorial is another Memorial Garden. The garden sits on the coast looking out to the Cook Straits with the harbour entrance to the left and the South Island to across the horizon and on a good day can been seen to the right of the garden.
The area is simple and bleak and through out the year can show the different conditions that the Cook Straits can produce.
Located in the area is a propeller that was also salvaged from the Wahine.
Frank Kitts Park
The second of the 2 masts that were salvaged is located at Frank Kits park over looking Wellington Harbour.
Newlands
Sitting behind Newlands Shopping Centre is a anchor that came from the Wahine.
Getting to Eastbourne requires a pleasant drive along the water front through Petone and then along the coast to The Bus Barn on the outskirt of Eastbourne. It is far as you can go.
If you do noy have a car then the 83 bus from Wellington will take you all the way to The Bus Barn which is its final stop.
Access for either the Seatoun’s Churchill Park or the Wahine Memorial Garden by car can be via Shelly Bay or from Lyall Bay via Moa Point. The coast road starts/finishes at either end of Wellington’s Airport.
The # 11 bus will take you all the way there and stops not far from Churchill Park. Seatoun is the final stop before it heads back into Wellington.
Updated 19/02/2013
Updated 11/03/2013 *
*Thank you to Interislander for correcting the details of the operator at the time.
Updated 10/04/2013
james/wildbaynz/windy hill flying club
WildBay 
well cool
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