Wellington Cable Car, Botanic Garden and Zealandia
A short red cable car ride up to gardens, stars and native birds.
See top-rated activities »Riding the Wellington Cable Car
The Wellington Cable Car has climbed from Lambton Quay to the hilltop suburb of Kelburn since 1902. Today's bright red cars, which pass each other at a loop halfway up, take about five minutes to rise through tunnels and over bridges, and at the top a lookout gives a classic view across the city to the harbor. It is part of the city's public transport, so commuters and students from Victoria University share the ride with visitors.
Beside the upper terminal, the Cable Car Museum, in the original winding house, displays two of the old cars and the story of the line, and is free. The Wellington Botanic Garden spreads down the hill from there: 25 hectares of native forest, conifers and seasonal displays, with the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and a cafe near the bottom. Most people ride up and walk down through the garden to Thorndon or back to the city.
Space Place at Carter Observatory, also beside the garden, has a planetarium, exhibits on the southern sky and Maori star navigation, and telescope viewing on clear evenings. From Kelburn, it is a short bus or car ride to Zealandia Te Mara a Tane, a 225-hectare valley surrounded by a predator-proof fence. Since the 1990s, birds such as takahe, kaka, tieke and hihi have been reintroduced, and their numbers have spread into the surrounding suburbs. Guided night tours look for little spotted kiwi, glowworms and tuatara.
The Wellington Cable Car runs every day, every ten minutes or so. Tickets are bought on board with a contactless card or at the terminals; there is no need to book ahead, though the cars fill up when cruise ships are in port.
Don’t Miss
A five-minute ride up the hill on a line running since 1902, with a lookout at the top.
Original cars and winding gear in the historic winding house at the upper terminal.
Native bush, a rose garden and city views on the walk down from the cable car.
A planetarium and telescope viewing of the southern sky.
A fenced valley where rare native birds and tuatara live wild, with day and night tours.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Cable Car
Viator
Viator
Viator
ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 31, 2026. Wellington Travel may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »the Cable Car — FAQ
Do you need to book the Wellington Cable Car?
No. It runs frequently every day, and tickets are bought on the day. Expect queues at the Lambton Quay terminal when cruise ships are in town.
Is the Zealandia night tour worth it?
Yes, if you want a chance to see a kiwi in the wild. Sightings are likely but not guaranteed, and you will usually see glowworms and other nocturnal wildlife.
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