Wellington Cable Car
Wellington - New Zealand
For a great view of Wellington you should take the Cable Car, a short historic journey from the heart of Lambton Quay (downtown Wellington), up through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn to the lookout high above the city. You even get to pass through the tunnel of lights on the way.
At the top of the lookout you wil find the Cable Car Museum and the top entrance to the Botanic Gardens.
The cars leave every 10 minutes.
The Cable Car is fully accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.
A little history...
Martin Kennedy (a successful Wellington businessman) is credited with the original idea. He persuaded the Upland Estate Company to include the cable car in their plans for the new suburb of Kelbrun. Construction started in 1899 and it was opened on 22 February 1902, carrying over 4000 people on its first weekend of operation. In 1933 electricity replaced steam as the power for the cable car. In 1978 the original system was replaced by a new Swiss design which remains in operation today.
Recommendation
Instead of buying a return ticket, get a one-way ticket (up the hill) and walk back through the botanic gardens. There is a clearly marked path that leads you back to Parliament buildings down at the bottom.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm
Saturday 8.30am to 10pm
Sunday and Public Holidays 8.30am to 9pm
It is closed on Christmas Day.
For the latest fares visit the Wellington Cable Car website: www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz
Attractions near the Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Botanic Gardens: 25 hectares of protected native forest and specialized plant collections. Enjoy a leisurely downhill stroll throught the gardens and back to town. (Free admission)
Cable Car Museum: Brings to life the story of the Cable Car. Situated withing the original winding house the Museum has two of the original cars and the winding gear once used to haul them up the steep incline. (Free admission)
Zealandia: 5 minutes from the top of the Cable Car by free shuttle, Zealandia is New Zealand's award winning eco attraction. It includes the exhibition centre and 225 hectares of the eco sanctuary. (Admission Charge) More details here: www.visitzealandia.com
Space Place: 2 minutes from the top of the Cable Car with multimedia exhibitions and some of New Zealand's most prestigious astronomical artefacts. Enjoy the show in the digital full-dome planetarium. (Admission Charge)
If you found this guide about the Wellington Cable Car interesting or useful, let others know about it:
