Hikitia 100th birthday steam up and tours

Hikitia will once again be getting steam up and demonstrating Her 100 year old working crane, as well as hosting tours of the ship.

This year on Hikitia we are launching our fund raising drive titled project 27, which is all about raising funds to get to dry dock in Lyttleton in June 2027 for hull maintenance and extensive crane refurbishment. To support this Hikitia will be hosting ship tours on Saturdays throughout the Wellington Heritage Festival as well as getting steam up and demonstrating Her still operational 100 year old Crane, and of course letting Her steam whistle sing across Wellington waterfront.

Health & Safety

A good level of mobility is required for ship tours as it involves steep companionways There are multiple trip hazards on deck and sturdy closed footwear is essential - no heels or jandals.

Location

Taranaki St wharf next to Te Papa, Wellington

Regions

Wellington CBD

Wellington

Tags

Open Day

Site Tour

Museum

Experience

Event times

10am-4pm Sat 24 Oct

Cost: $10

Turn up on day

10am-4pm Sat 31 Oct

Cost: $10

Turn up on day

10am-4pm Sat 7 Nov

Cost: $10

Turn up on day

10am-4pm Sat 14 Nov

Cost: $10

Turn up on day

Event hosts

Maritime Heritage Trust of Wellington

The Maritime Heritage Trust of Wellington care for and are actively restoring the SS Hikitia, a one-of-a-kind self-propelled floating steam crane located along the Wellington waterfront (next to Te Papa). Hikitia was custom-built in Scotland in 1926 for working in Wellington Harbour and sailed over to New Zealand unassisted with the crane fully assembled. This is the longest known journey in history ever undertaken by such a vessel! Hikitia spent her entire working career in Wellington and was heavily involved in shaping the waterfront we know and love today. Although no longer commercially working, all of Hikitia's machinery is still operational. Hikitia is regularly maintained and restored by a team of dedicated volunteers and the ship also hosts a marine archaeology laboratory.

Email: hikitia.steamcrane@outlook.co.nz

Phone: 021901953

Website: https://hikitia.nz/