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Cable Car Museum Vacations

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Cable Car Museum

This free museum tells the story of Wellington’s cable car since its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century.

At the Cable Car Museum, watch motors, wheels and gears whirr into action as you learn about the development of Wellington’s cable car system. The Cable Car Museum is inside the winding house that was once the control center for the cable cars. Here, a steam engine used to power the cable winding system that hauled the cars along the track.

As soon as you walk through the entrance you’ll see a red cable car in the Upper Gallery. It has been restored to its 1970s condition. That’s exactly how it would have appeared before the steam-powered system was retired in favor of today’s electrical process. Climb aboard and sit on the outside seats and imagine how people used to kick against tunnel walls as the car moved down the line.

In the museum’s cinema, watch three short films that focus on New Zealand’s trams, and private and public cable cars around Wellington. View photos and information panels that cover some of the cable car system’s history.

Head down the stairs to the lower floor and look at the fully restored winding gear with its huge wheels and levers. Although no longer used for the cable cars, you can see the machinery in action.

While you are on the lower floor go over to the museum’s other cable car. It has been restored to its original 1905 condition. In order to keep the cable car in a good state of preservation, visitors are not permitted to climb inside.

The Cable Car Museum is situated at the top of Wellington Botanic Garden, next to the lookout at Kelburn. The cable cars run every 10 minutes from Lambton Quay in the city center. If you are planning to drive, there is paid street parking nearby.

The museum is open every day except Christmas Day. Entry is free.

Guide to Exploring around Cable Car Museum

Courtenay Place

Shop, wine and dine in this culinary hot spot on one of Wellington's most fashionable streets.
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TSB Bank Arena

Located on Wellington’s picturesque waterfront, this multipurpose venue hosts many events, including concerts, trade shows, art exhibitions and more.

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Michael Fowler Centre

Wellington’s main stage for conferences and indoor events features award-winning architecture and a year-round calendar of music and arts events.

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Cuba Street Mall

Enjoy artisan coffees, sample specialty foods, browse through vintage shops or hunt for retro bargains in Wellington's bohemian heart.

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Mount Victoria Lookout

Stroll along a scenic walkway through a pretty Wellington Town Belt reserve to this lookout for spectacular panoramic views of the city.

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Museum of Wellington City and Sea

A free museum for all the family that charts the role the sea played in shaping modern-day Wellington.

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Beehive

Go on a free guided tour of the seat of New Zealand’s power, the beehive-shaped building that houses the New Zealand Parliament's Executive wing.

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Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand)

See, smell and touch the exhibits at New Zealand’s hi-tech and interactive free national museum.

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Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station)

Rise above the crowds on this famous attraction: the red cable cars that travel up a steep slope to Wellington Botanic Garden.

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City Gallery Wellington

Enjoy eclectic and cutting-edge contemporary art at this free gallery.

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Wellington Botanic Garden

A horticultural hot spot of color and sweet fragrances features native plants, rare trees and glowing insects. 

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Wellington Zoo

Spend some quality time with big cats, giraffes, red pandas and white-cheeked gibbons at New Zealand’s oldest zoo.

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Oriental Bay Beach

This attractive beach is popular for swimming and is only a few minutes’ walk from the city center.

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Zealandia

Your best chance of seeing rare native species in the wild, this eco-attraction is a fenced valley that protects many native bird species.

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Old St Paul's

Murals, religious artifacts, stained-glass windows and special exhibits chronicle Wellington’s past and the historic bond between this city and American Marines. 
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Carter Observatory

Look at the rings of Saturn, touch rocks that have fallen from space and go on a virtual journey to the farthest regions of our solar system.

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Central Library

This modern public library is regarded for its functional architecture, free events year-round and many collections of books and other resources.

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St Paul's Cathedral

Built over nearly half a century, this earthquake-proof cathedral is filled with stunning works of art and is among the most sacred sites in Wellington.
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Civic Square

Relax outdoors in the center of Wellington, surrounded by public artworks and some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
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National Library

See the vast collection of books and use the interactive exhibits to learn about a young nation’s history at New Zealand’s most important library.
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Wellington Parliament

Learn about the events and people who shaped New Zealand's political landscape and see where the country is governed from at this collection of buildings.
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Weta Workshop

Learn the special effects secrets behind films such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar with a tour through this Academy Award-winning studio.
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Best Lodging Options Near Cable Car Museum

See all 189 Properties near Cable Car Museum
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor $73

Per night/room

Feb 2 - Feb 3

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James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

147 The Terrace, Wellington
     
    4.5 out of 5.0 Stars

    This family-friendly Wellington hotel is located in a shopping district, within a 15-minute walk of St Paul's Cathedral, Carter Observatory, and Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand). Old St Paul's and Botanic Gardens are also within 1 mi (2 km). Wellington Station is 10 minutes by foot.

    Rydges Wellington $97

    Per night/room

    Jan 26 - Jan 27

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    Rydges Wellington

    Rydges Wellington

    75 Featherston St, Wellington
       
      4.5 out of 5.0 Stars

      Located in the heart of Wellington, this luxury hotel is steps from Old Government Buildings, Wellington Central Business District, and Wellington Waterfront. Beehive and St Paul's Cathedral are also within 10 minutes. Wellington Station is only a 3-minute walk.

      ibis Wellington $72

      Per night/room

      Jan 27 - Jan 28

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      ibis Wellington

      ibis Wellington

      153 Featherston St, Wellington
         
        3.5 out of 5.0 Stars

        Located in the heart of Wellington, this hotel is steps from Lambton Quay, Wellington Central Business District, and Wellington Waterfront. Old Government Buildings and Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station) are also within 10 minutes. Wellington Station is 6 minutes by foot.

        Park Hotel Lambton Quay $86

        Per night/room

        Jan 26 - Jan 27

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        Park Hotel Lambton Quay

        Park Hotel Lambton Quay

        101 The Terrace, Wellington
           
          4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

          Located in the heart of Wellington, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Lambton Quay and Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station). New Zealand Parliament Buildings and Museum of Wellington City and Sea are also within 10 minutes. Wellington Station is 8 minutes by foot.

          DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington $111

          Per night/room

          Feb 6 - Feb 7

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          DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington

          DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington

          Corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, 28 Grey Street, Wellington, NZ
             
            4.5 out of 5.0 Stars

            This family-friendly Wellington hotel is located in a shopping district, steps from Lambton Quay, Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station), and Wellington Central Business District. Civic Square and Old Government Buildings are also within 10 minutes. Wellington Station is 9 minutes by foot.

            Travelodge Hotel Wellington $69

            Per night/room

            Feb 2 - Feb 3

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            Travelodge Hotel Wellington

            Travelodge Hotel Wellington

            2-6 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington
               
              4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

              Located in the heart of Wellington, this hotel is steps from Lambton Quay, Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station), and Wellington Central Business District. Civic Square and Wellington Waterfront are also within 10 minutes. Wellington Station is 14 minutes by foot.

              Oaks Wellington Hotel $92

              Per night/room

              Jan 26 - Jan 27

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              Oaks Wellington Hotel

              Oaks Wellington Hotel

              89 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington, Wellington
                 
                4.0 out of 5.0 Stars

                Located in Te Aro, this aparthotel is within a 5-minute walk of Courtenay Place, Cuba Street Mall, and Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand). Michael Fowler Centre and Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station) are also within 1 mi (2 km). Wellington Station is 20 minutes by foot.

                Novotel Wellington $98

                Per night/room

                Jan 26 - Jan 27

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                Novotel Wellington

                Novotel Wellington

                133 The Terrace, Wellington
                   
                  4.5 out of 5.0 Stars

                  Located in the heart of Wellington, this luxury hotel is steps from Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay Station) and Wellington Central Business District. Beehive and Old Government Buildings are also within 10 minutes. Wellington Station is 10 minutes by foot.

                  See all 189 Properties near Cable Car Museum