Wellington Cable Car

This local cable car is a historic Wellington icon and a must-try experience when visiting the city. It not only takes you to the entrance of the Wellington Botanic Garden, but also offers a beautiful scenic view of the city as you ride uphill.nnAt the top, you’ll find a viewing deck with fantastic city panoramas, the Cable Car Museum, and a café that serves great coffee — a perfect spot to relax and take in the view.nnFor a return fare of just $10 NZD, it’s an affordable and enjoyable way to experience one of Wellington’s classic attractions. Highly recommended for both locals and tourists exploring the city!

It is a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street in the central city, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city and Wellington Harbour. The cable car route rises 120 m over a length of 609 m. The trip takes about 5 minutes each way and is a very popular ride and place at the top, lots of tourists and locals. You can get to the summit by car or public transport as well. Plenty of free parking available at the summit. Toilets available at summit and base. Cafes and restaurants available. At the top you can visit the cable car museum, botanic gardens. Lots of people here, careful with personal belongings. Easy terrain, lot of easy walking. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Beautiful place. Lots to see. Lovely place for picnic. Great place for photography. You can also walk down safe tracks from the summit to the city terminal like we did. Cable car fees payable.

A typically wet and cool day, the gardens are a stop I'll be back for.nThe museum and food well worth the stop. Keep an eye out for pickpockets, nearly broke the toes of a dude trying to steal my gopro. They operate in pairs/groups. Only place in my entire trip I ran into this.

Always a great ride on the cable. Friendly team and easy to navigate the station.nnI went recently to specifically see the winding room in action as they were doing an open day was really cool to see and learn how it works from the team who look after and drive the cars.

An Absolute Wellington Essential Iconic Views & Easy Access!nNo 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.nThe 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!nThe top station is more than just a viewpoint. It houses a small but interesting Cable Car Museumfree 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.nnKey Tips for Visitors:nFrequency:Runs every 10 minutes, very reliable. Check latest times online.nTickets: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.nBest Seats: For the best views downhill, try to get a forward-facing window seat.nAll-Weather Fun:A perfect activity even on wet or windy Wellington days it's covered!.nWalking Back:Many people ride up and enjoy a scenic walk down through the gardens highly recommended!nAccessibility: Modern cars and stations are wheelchair accessible.nnThe 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 Wellington visit.

Directions to Wellington Cable Car with public transportation

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