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Wellington Cable Car, Wellington

4.3
#1 of 214 in Historic Sites in New Zealand
Must see · Tramway · Lookout
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Wellington Cable Car has been in operation since 1902 and is the only public cable car in New Zealand. Departing from the heart of the city centre (Lambton Quay), a five minute ride on this transport heritage icon will take you up to the top of Kelburn lookout for panoramic views over the city and harbour. You can also visit the Wellington Botanic Gardens, Space Place Observatory and Kelburn Villages Shops here. Before you head back down make sure to visit the Cable Car Museum, which showcases the interesting history of the city’s symbolic mode of transport and see the original cars and winding machinery on display.

When you have finished exploring the surrounding attractions at the top, take the short trip back down into the city centre. There are also walking tracks that start at the top of the Cable Car if you're keen on a stroll back to the city. The Cable Cars leave every 10 minutes.

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Wellington Cable Car reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
6,573 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • Long queue - unfriendly staff (apart from 1) trying to keep queue from blocking pavement- lack of manners Many rude passengers Real let down - average views from top 
    Long queue - unfriendly staff (apart from 1) trying to keep queue from blocking pavement- lack of manners Many rude passengers Real let down - average views from top  more »
  • such a great experience, well organised with a very well organised walk to the bottom if required. Cafe at the top did a great meal and the shop half way down covered all the gifts required. A... 
    such a great experience, well organised with a very well organised walk to the bottom if required. Cafe at the top did a great meal and the shop half way down covered all the gifts required. A...  more »
Google
  • 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.
  • Nice little ride up a hill to a view point. The tunnels have colored lights. There is a cafe at the top as well. It costs $9 round trip. There is a ticket window and you can pay cash or credit card. Locals can use their bus card.

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