Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car: Hours, Address, Wellington Cable Car Reviews: 4.5/5
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car
4.5
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The highlight to any visit to Wellington is a trip on Wellington Cable Car. In just 5 minutes you will reach the top of the Botanic Garden where panoramic views of the city and harbour are the reward. You can also visit the Space Place Observatory here. Before you head back down make sure to visit the Cable Car Museum (free entry), which provides a history of the city's symbolic mode of transport and see the original cars and winding machinery on display. There are 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 and evry 15 minutes before 8pm.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
6,516 reviews
Excellent
2,804
Very good
2,760
Average
819
Poor
95
Terrible
38
John L
Cambridge, New Zealand212 contributions
Mar. 2022
A great attraction for Wellington. I recall the old cable car prior to the late 70's and remember the kerfuffle losing the old cars with the external seating. Whilst the romanticism has been lost the new ones are certainly more practical.
We enjoyed the ride and also the small museum at the top.
We enjoyed the ride and also the small museum at the top.
Written 11 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Victoria B
Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand17 contributions
Nov. 2021 • Couples
Went to observatory and took cable car back. Would have done a return trip instead of Uber to get there. Didn’t know about it until staff at Observatory suggested it. Takes right down to Lambton Quay. Superb!
Written 5 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kaikalkoe
Arrowtown, New Zealand40 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Family
Lovely morning out with young children. Short ride on the cable car, which was immaculate. At the top didn’t get to see the cable car museum as that was closed but did go to the beautiful gardens and space centre.
Well worth a visit and staff were excellent!
Well worth a visit and staff were excellent!
Written 25 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thefamilytraveller
Whangarei, New Zealand103 contributions
Dec. 2021 • Family
The cable car is unbelievably smooth and the journey gives some great views of the city. When getting to the top the museum is well worth a visit and gives you some history as well as the chance to view the original cars.
Written 30 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Denis Toh
Sibu, Malaysia25 contributions
Dec. 2020
It's awesome to see such a historic mode of transport that is still functional in Wellington. Truly a unique experience. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Wellington. Before you head back down, make sure to visit the Cable Car Museum, which provides a history of the city's symbolic mode of transport and see the original cars and winding machinery on display. No entrance fee is imposed. It's FREE! A must-do if you want to experience Wellington.
Written 30 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
rachelmB5647WI
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates39 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Family
The staff were very helpful, and going up with a young child in a pram they were very chatty and friendly.
A nice ride out of the CBD to a great city wide view.
A nice ride out of the CBD to a great city wide view.
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Christine S
Taupo, New Zealand70 contributions
Apr. 2021
It's great they have the tunnels all lit up with amazing colourful lights. Great ride and the views are fabulous on a nice sunny day.
Written 27 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kia Ora Christine,
Thank you for your lovely feedback.
We are thrilled you had a great time, enjoyed the tunnel lights and the views. We look forward to seeing you again in the future. :)
Written 29 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bernard R
Whangarei, New Zealand1,047 contributions
Jul. 2021 • Couples
Set in the centre of Wellington off Lambton Quay this attraction is easily accessible. Even better it is free for gold card holders at weekends. As it travels up the hill it passes through several tunnels which are illuminated. At the top is a small museum and shop.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your kind feedback. We are thrilled you had a great time and we look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Written 18 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maree R
Christchurch, New Zealand781 contributions
Jun. 2021
I would not want to walk up this route so being able to take the cable car is a major bonus and the views on a clear day are great. The museum at the top is interesting and informative and we enjoyed a pleasant walk back down through the gardens spotting birds and enjoying the walk.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your lovely feedback Maree. We are happy you had a great time, and enjoyed the views.
We hope to see you again soon.
Written 18 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Johnpinfold
Cheviot, New Zealand15 contributions
Jun. 2021 • Friends
Awesome to see such a historic mode of transport still functional and some great views from the top. A must do if you want to experience Wellington
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We definitely concur that the Cable Car is a must do when visiting Wellington, and the views are lovely at the top!
We hope to see you again soon.
Written 18 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Naes
Taupo, New Zealand72 contributions
We are coming to Wellington on a very busy weekend and we are worried about parking, what are the best options?
Also what days and times is the observatory open?
wellingt0nkirby
Wellington, New Zealand304 contributions
There is street parking in the city - note this has a 2 hour time limit and charges in the weekend. There are longer term carparks at Te Papa and also under the Westpac stadium (providing there isn’t a game in that day). The Observatory is open till late -11pm
Naes
Taupo, New Zealand72 contributions
We are coming to Wellington on a very busy weekend and we are worried about parking, what are the best options?
Also what days and times is the observatory open?
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Kia Ora! There is no public parking at the Cable Car. The nearest parking buildings are at:
Queens Wharf
The Terrace for Lambton Quay Terminal
The Skyline at 1 Upland Road, Kelburn (top of the Cable Car)
There are also paid public parkings around Lambton Quay.
The current opening hours for Space Place are:
Monday 10am–5:30pm
Tuesday 10am–11pm
Wednesday 10am–5:30pm
Thursday 10am–5:30pm
Friday 10am–11pm
Saturday 10am–11pm
Sunday 10am–5:30pm
See you soon and hope this is helpful. -April
osemail2018
Auckland, New Zealand10 contributions
Using Google Maps, the walking route seems rather long to get from top of the Cable Car to Space Place in the Botanic Garden. Is there a more direct route through the Botanic Garden?
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Kia Ora, the route may seem long on the map but Space Place is only two minutes away from the Kelburn Terminal. Once you come out of the Cable Car at the Kelburn Terminal, walk towards Kelburn Lookout/Botanic Garden until you see a great round tree and follow the second pathway.
Please visit our website for maps and brochures of the surrounding attractions (more focused map).
SharedWonder
Cambridge, UK7 contributions
Hi, you mentioned you walked down through the botanic garden after taking the cable car, then up again through the garden, is that because you can't get access to most of the garden on the route down (i.e. it is just one path down so you need to go up again so you could see more of it).
Thanks
Alison
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Kia Ora Alison,
There are two ways to see the Botanic Garden. You can purchase a return ticket and return to the city centre at any time (suitable for people with time constraint). Or purchase one-way and walk down through the Botanic Garden which take about 30-40 minutes. If you're walking back to the city centre you'll also past by the Parliament Buildings. Please visit our website if you have further enquiries!
Thanks,
Just wondering if this is far from ,where the cruise ships dock in ? Is it walking distance?
TexasCatBird
Gatesville, TX2,530 contributions
Our ship, Holland's Noordam, docked at Atorea Quay near Westpac Arena, which is located in an industrial area and does not allow for pedestrian traffic. So we took the complimentary bus available, just as you depart the ship, from the industrial port into the city center. From there it is a short walk to the cable car station.
Christopher D
Worcester, UK1 contribution
How long does it take to go to the top
And what is the cost in GB pounds
Thanks
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Kia Ora, the quick historic trip takes about 5 minutes. The Cable Car runs every 10 minutes between Lambton Quay (city centre) and Kelburn (Top of Cable Car where other iconic attracions of Wellington are, such as: Kelburn Lookout, Cable Car Museum, Space Place, Botanic Garden and Zealandia).
The cost for an adult one way is about £2.27 ($4NZD) and return is about £ 4.26 ($7.50NZD).
KUSHMANR
Lehavim, Israel1 contribution
Is its possible to by tickets in advance, How much it costs up and both sides? We are not NZ residents. Can We get Senior descount?
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Hi Kushmanr, yes you can buy tickets online via our website: one way $NZ4 or return $NZ7.50 for an adult. Sorry, we do not currently have any senior discounts, standard fares apply.
bob3977
Greater Melbourne, Australia2 contributions
I note from the reviews that a number of reviewers have elected to walk back down the hill rather than return via the cable car. Can you advise me of the walking distance?
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington, New Zealand17 contributions
Hi there, the walk back down through the Botanic Garden (following the Pohutukawa flower tiles) takes approximately 40 minutes and is mostly a downhill walk. You'll end up at the Reserve Bank which is opposite the Parliament Buildings, they also have free hourly tours too! There are maps at the Cable Car and entrance of the Garden as well.
Gloria F
Streamwood, IL248 contributions
How much does the cable car ride cost? Can you ride it back down or do you just walk down.
Jean B
11 contributions
As a NZ resident I was able to use my seniors gold card. You can take the car back down or walk, or even catch a bus at the top back to the city. It's certainly very cheap and well worth the trip to the top.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wellington Cable Car
- Wellington Cable Car is open:
- Sun - Sun 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
- Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 7:00 pm
- Sat - Sat 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
- We recommend booking Wellington Cable Car tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Wellington Cable Car tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Wellington Cable Car:
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- Restaurants near Wellington Cable Car:
- (0.18 km) Boulcott Street Bistro
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