Wellington Cable Car — Attraction in North Island

An Absolute Wellington Essential Iconic Views & Easy Access! No trip to Wellington is complete without riding the iconic Cable Car! It’s a charming, efficient, and quintessential Wellington experience that delivered exactly what we hoped for: stunning views and seamless access to the Botanic Garden. The journey itself is delightful. Boarding at the historic Lambton Quay station (easy to find!), the bright red car smoothly ascends through the cool hillside tunnel before bursting out to reveal breathtaking panoramic views over the city, harbour, and surrounding hills. It’s a short ride (approx. 5 minutes), but the vistas unfolding as you climb are genuinely special. We loved spotting landmarks like the Beehive and Te Papa from above. Great photo ops throughout! The top station is more than just a viewpoint. It houses a small but interesting Cable Car Museum(free entry!) detailing the history, which we enjoyed. The real bonus? You step out directly into the stunning Wellington Botanic Garden.It’s the perfect starting point for exploring the lush trails, Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Peace Garden, and Space Place observatory (tickets required). You can easily spend hours wandering down.

Key Tips for Visitors: Frequency:Runs every 10 minutes, very reliable. Check latest times online. Tickets:Use the Snapper card (common on Wellington buses) for the cheapest fare, or buy a single/return ticket at the station. Consider a combo ticket with Space Place if interested. Best Seats: For the best views downhill, try to get a forward-facing window seat. All-Weather Fun:A perfect activity even on wet or windy Wellington days (it's covered!). Walking Back:Many people ride up and enjoy a scenic walk down through the gardens highly recommended! Accessibility: Modern cars and stations are wheelchair accessible.

The Wellington Cable Car is efficient, scenic, historically charming, and the perfect gateway to the beautiful Botanic Garden. It offers incredible value and iconic views packed into a short, enjoyable ride. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local showing friends around, it's an absolute must-do and earns its status as a top attraction. 5 stars! A highlight of our...

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...

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...