Take a fun trip aboard one of the city’s oldest attractions, the Wellington Cable Car. It has been carrying passengers from Lambton Quay to the Wellington Botanic Garden for more than a hundred years. The line is approximately 2,000 feet (610 meters) long, and a journey from one end to the other takes about eight minutes.Wellington Cable Car was built in 1902 to transport workers from Lambton Quay to the new suburbs springing up in the hills around the city. The original steam-powered system remained in operation until the current electrical process was installed in 1978. There are two cable cars running in opposite directions and each can carry up to 100 passengers. Start your trip at Lambton Quay in the city center. The track rises over 390 feet (119 meters) and travels through three tunnels. There are three stops along the route.Look out the windows for lofty views of the Wellington skyline that also take in the harbor and Hutt Valley in the distance.At your journey’s end pop into the free Cable Car Museum, which tells the story of the cable car’s development. Enjoy more views of the city and harbor from the lookout at Kelburn. Other attractions within a couple of minutes’ walking distance from the cable car terminus are the Carter Observatory and Planetarium and the Botanic Garden. There is also a free five-minute shuttle bus from the top of the cable car to Zealandia, a conservation precinct that’s home to some of New Zealand’s rarest animals. To get back to the city, take a return cable car or stroll through the Botanic Garden, which is about a 40-minute walk away from downtown Wellington.The cable cars run every 10 minutes on every day of the year except Christmas Day. When cruise ships are in port, the lines for the cable cars are longer, especially in the morning. On these days the cable cars run every six to eight minutes.
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Half Day Lord of the Rings Tour
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Romantic tour in Wellington
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A Taste of Wellington: Wellington Foodie Delights Tour
Reviews of Wellington Cable Car
4/5 - Good
Go in the summer. Spring there was nothing to do. The new Zealander are not too nice.
Popular places to visit
Wellington Central Business District
Wellington Central Business District is just one of the places to see in Wellington, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed art scene in this walkable area.
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.
Lambton Quay
During your visit to Wellington, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Lambton Quay. Stroll along this family-friendly area's waterfront, or simply enjoy its restaurants.
Antrim House
A symbol of the self-made family, this Victorian estate opens its doors for the public to admire its ornate décor and stately rooms.
TSB Bank Arena
Located on Wellington’s picturesque waterfront, this multipurpose venue hosts many events, including concerts, trade shows, art exhibitions and more.
Frank Kitts Park
Elegant water features and statues decorate the flat, green grounds of this coastal park, with views of the Pacific Ocean and the city’s towers.
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