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Wreckage of Flight 901 - Source: Antarctica New Zealand Collection -
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Relatives of victims of the Erebus air disaster who have travelled to Antarctica, woke up at the crack of dawn on Friday to prepare for a life-changing experience.
Six individuals left on Friday morning on a five hour journey to the place that claimed the lives of their loved ones.
"It's actually quite hard to believe we'll be there in a few hours because it's been such a long time," says Pip Collins.
Pip Collins' father flew to Antarctica on the ill-fated flight and like the others, didn't come home.
It is 30 years on Saturday since an Air New Zealand DC10 crashed
into Mount Erebus, killing all passengers and crew on board.
This is the first time relatives have been able to visit the site
since the accident on November 28, 1979.
"There is sadness there, there's also I suppose a bit of, I don't know if joy is the right word, I feel privileged to be able to go to the site, and pay my respects to my father," says Eric Houghton, passenger's son.
Air New Zealand is also planning services in Auckland and Christchurch to mark the anniversary.
A service will be held at the Air New Zealand head office in Auckland at 11am and also at 3:30pm at the Erebus Gardens in Glen Eden.
A memorial will commence at 11am at the Air New Zealand main hanger in Christchurch.
