Say hello to Te Papa’s Colossal Squid
Even the typical must-dos are home to some of the most unusual attractions. Te Papa Museum, in particular, has a not-so-hidden secret within its Mountains to Sea exhibition: a 495-kilogram (1091-pound) colossal squid, the only one of its kind on display anywhere in the world. The massive specimen was fished out of Antarctic waters in 2007 by New Zealand’s long-lining vessel San Aspiring, as it was partaking in a fishing expedition along the Ross Sea. The haul garnered public attention because the fleet was featured in a documentary, thus paving the way for making the compelling creature a permanent fixture of the museum.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, +64 4-381 7000

Colossal Squid Exhibit, Te Papa Museum | © Al404/Flickr