Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
What a great city. very friendly and relaxed people. we were here in 2007. and then we went up with this cable car. A lot of fun to do. beautiful view and above you can go to the Wellington Botanic Garden to enjoy nature. I therefore recommend doing this. i loved it The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand, between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city, rising 120 m over a length of 612 m. The one way trip takes approximately five minutes. 2016 electric drive and control system upgrade During June to August, the Cable Car closed temporarily and underwent a major equipment upgrade to replace the electric drive and control system. Since the 1979 upgrade, each car has completed more than one million trips. The Cable Car also took the opportunity to cosmetically upgrade the existing cars and make changes to the staff facilities. Whilst the Cable Car was out of action, the Wellington City Council also carried out construction work in the Cable Car Lane and Lambton Quay Terminal. This included: 1. replacing the old leaky canopy with an elegant new glass one that will let the sunshine in (Phase 1) 2. building a new ticket booth and moving the entry gates to make queuing and buying tickets easier (Phase 1) 3. new paving, signs and colour scheme for the heritage-listed Stonehams building (Phase 2 - final phase of work on the lane in 2017) It was expected to be back in service on 1 August, but additional work was required. Normal service resumed on 18 August.
Mark’s WanderlustMark’s Wanderlust
00
Wellington Cable Car: A Charming Ride with Stunning Views A must-do for any visitor to Wellington, the Cable Car offers a delightful journey with breathtaking panoramic views. This historic funicular railway climbs from Lambton Quay in the heart of the city up to Kelburn, providing a unique perspective of Wellington's landscape. What I loved: * The views: The vista from the top is simply stunning. You can see the entire city, harbor, and surrounding hills. It's the perfect spot for photos! * The charm: The vintage cable cars add a touch of nostalgia to the experience. It's a fun and quirky way to travel. * Accessibility: It's an easy and convenient way to reach the Botanic Garden, Zealandia (via a free shuttle), and the Carter Observatory. * The Cable Car Museum: A small but interesting museum at the top that tells the story of this historic railway. Points to consider: * Cost: While not overly expensive, the price might be a consideration for budget-conscious travelers. * Queues: During peak season, there can be lines, so plan accordingly. * Limited accessibility: While efforts have been made to improve accessibility, those with mobility issues might find some areas challenging. Overall: The Wellington Cable Car is a delightful experience that offers stunning views, a touch of history, and convenient access to some of Wellington's top attractions. It's a great activity for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Josh JacksonJosh Jackson
00
The "must do" tourist attraction in Wellington in all tourist guides. Is it worth it? Entrance is hidden between two buildings. If yoh cannot find it, look for the sign on the street. Tickets can be bought there or online in advance. They offer combo ticket with general admission to the Space Centre (Note not including Planetarium Screening). Combo ticket is only available online. The last cable Car returns before the Space Centre closes. Also Space Centre does not open everyday. So do check the time. Ride is only about 5 min and hence there is no rush to catch the car. If you missed one, its only a short wait. They do ask you to complete survey to enter into a draw. You can use QR code or their ipad in the Museum (sadly ipad was not working at the time of visit) There is no commentary or not even a hello from the driver. As the cable car is more for the tourist, I think a warm welcome as well as some information about the stops would enhance the experience. The light feature inside the tunnels are welcoming but perhaps the use of more high tech led and sound effect will further enhance the experience.
Dominic TamDominic Tam
00
Just another ride... We were thrilled about the ride in the Cable car. It's cool to know that this Cable car has been around for 120 years, an icon of Wellington City. It is really a ride on an antique but I'm sure there were many refurbishment and maintenance. We weren't sure the timing so we were pretty late when we started our ride and we just miss the museum by 4 minutes. They closed at 5pm. But we were able to catch some activities at the Space Place at Carter Observatory (Science museum) and saw some cool stuffs. A 150 years old telescope is really the main highlight for our trip up the hill. Unfortunately, to be able to see the beautiful night sky, we have to prepare to walk down the hill as the Cable car cease its operation at 7pm. And the journey down hill can be very challenging for some. It gets very cold in the night in Wellington. I must state that the view on the top of the hill is picturesque. This is really a worthwhile one trip of a lifetime kind of thing and I don't think I will ride the Cable car again.
troo footroo foo
80
Riding the Wellington Cable Car was a wonderful experience! It’s a short but memorable journey that offers incredible views of the city, harbor, and surrounding hills. The ride itself is smooth and well-organized, with comfortable seating and large windows that let you fully appreciate the scenery as you ascend. At the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views that are perfect for photos and sightseeing. There are also several attractions nearby, like the Botanic Garden and the Cable Car Museum, which make the trip even more worthwhile. The station areas are clean and well-maintained, and the staff were friendly and helpful, making the entire experience seamless. It’s a quick ride, but it feels like the perfect way to capture the charm of Wellington from above. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting the city or even locals who haven’t been for a while. It’s definitely worth a visit for the views alone!"
DVN VDVN V
10
The Cable Car, a Wellington icon, the work of hands and minds from the past millennium, commutes a distinct smell of coal tar between the magnificent lookout at the top of botanical garden and the world of suits and briefcases in the core of the city. What mesmerizing lights it has. The warm tungsten ones rest unobtrusively on the wooden interior of the historic carriage, very much unlike the illumination made a good deal later, those colder ones, overpowering and attracted to the reflective metallic surfaces seemingly capable of capturing their patterns along on each bounce they make. A few signals and neon lights in the background add a topping on this truffle of visual flavours. Let’s get to the other end. Only five minutes on a wooden chair listening to the rhythm of a clickety-clack railway beat, and you will be rewarded with views you’ll remember until the world around you makes sense.
Peter KurdulijaPeter Kurdulija
00
Nearby Attractions Of Wellington Cable Car
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Wellington Botanic Garden
Wellington Museum
Rydges Wellington
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
TSB Arena
Wellington Waterfront Walk
InterContinental Wellington by IHG
Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries - Wellington
Michael Fowler Centre

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
4.7
(9.7K)Click for details

Wellington Botanic Garden
4.6
(4.1K)Click for details

Wellington Museum
4.6
(1.3K)Click for details

Rydges Wellington
4.1
(1.2K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Wellington Cable Car
Shed 22
Burger Liquor
Charley Noble
Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina Wellington
The Green Man Pub
Dockside Restaurant & Bar
Leuven Belgium Beer Cafe
Mr Go's
Little Penang
Little Beer Quarter

Shed 22
4.1
(1.2K)Click for details

Burger Liquor
4.5
(1K)Click for details

Charley Noble
4.5
(1K)Click for details

Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina Wellington
4.3
(1K)$$
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
280 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Map
Phone
+64 4 472 2199
Call
Website
wellingtoncablecar.co.nz
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(2.9K reviews)
Ratings & Description
entertainment
accessibility
Description
The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand, between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city, rising 120 m over a length of 612 m. The one way trip takes approximately five minutes.
attractions: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Botanic Garden, Wellington Museum, Rydges Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, TSB Arena, Wellington Waterfront Walk, InterContinental Wellington by IHG, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries - Wellington, Michael Fowler Centre, restaurants: Shed 22, Burger Liquor, Charley Noble, Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina Wellington, The Green Man Pub, Dockside Restaurant & Bar, Leuven Belgium Beer Cafe, Mr Go's, Little Penang, Little Beer Quarter

- Please manually select your location for better experience