WellingtonSee & Do
Wide of the cable car driving up the tracks with the sun setting over Wellington city and harbour in the background.

Wellington Cable Car

One of the city’s most iconic experiences, Wellington Cable Car leads to some of the best views of the capital.

For over 120 years, the Cable Car has trundled up and down the Kelburn hillside. Ferrying commuters, students, and tourists between Lambton Quay, Victoria University, and the Botanic Gardens. The five-minute trip has become a Wellington must-do for tourists.

Every 10 minutes, the bright red Wellington Cable Car departs from Lambton Quay and makes its way up into the hills of Kelburn. 

The 612m journey travels through three tunnels and over three bridges. Once you’ve reached the top you’ll have risen 120m above sea level. The views of the city below and harbour and hills beyond are, predictably, spectacular.

Unable to render element

A milestone in engineering when it opened in February 1902, this is New Zealand’s only remaining funicular railway. Originally steam-powered when it began, the two red cable cars have traversed the hill many times a day for over one hundred years.

As you travel from the city centre to the Kelburn terminal make sure you check out the LED light installations by Angus Muir. Each of the two tunnels has 60 arches of light strings, which synchronise with a computer program. The program allows the Wellington Cable Car team to choose different patterns and put on special displays for events, such as the Pride Rainbow, Matariki Stars, New Zealand flag, and plenty more.

Once you reach the top, pause to take in the panoramic views from the nearby lookout. Then head into the Wellington Cable Car Museum. Housed in the original winding house, the museum extends over two floors. It tells the story of the cable car through original artefacts, photographs, and interactive exhibitions. Entry to the museum is free. The return journey back to Lambton Quay completes the experience. However, if you feel like walking, you can enter the Wellington Botanic Gardens directly beside the Kelburn terminal. There are also free shuttles to Zealandia, and Space Place is a two-minute walk away.

Looking for more?

Long ecposure shot of people walking through Willis lane, underneath Lambton Quay.

Willis Lane

Delve below ground and find a bustling world bursting at the seams with entertainment and places to eat.

A person wearing a blue helmet, orange lifejacket, is in mid-air, doing a cannonball jump from a tall rock into a stream. Three people watch from below, where they wait with two small red rafts.

Wellington Rafting

Jump in the deep end of a thrilling adventure with Wellington Rafting.

The exterior of Te Papa Tongarewa, half glass and half concrete.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

New Zealand’s national museum reflects the country’s identity, history, and culture.

2 people airbrushing a large gorilla mask in the SFX area of the Wētā cave workshop tour.

Welly-would: a film buff’s guide to Wellington

Lights, camera, and action. With special effect tours, huge production studios, and boutique cinemas, get a taste of movie magic in Wellington.

An aerial view of the bustling Habourside Market in Te Aro Wellington. There are tents set up, heaps of colourful produce and many people shopping.

Harbourside Market

Head to the Wellington waterfront and enjoy the sights and flavours of the city’s oldest and most popular market.

A small ferry boat docked with ramp extended as passenger get ready to disembark.

East By West Ferries

Experience Wellington from the water and explore the eastern bays on the city’s only harbour ferries.

Three people drinking beer in front of Brewtown sign in Upper Hutt.

Brewtown Upper Hutt

The ultimate destination for craft beer, and food, plus 4,500 square metres devoted to entertainment.

3 people outside Wētā workshops, poking swords at a hill troll from Lord of the Rings.

Wētā Workshop Tours & Wētā Cave

Visit the home of movie-making magic in the heart of Wellywood, and see behind the scenes of world-renowned films and television.

Young children pointing up at the Earth projected onto the digital planetarium and Space Place.

Space Place

Space Place is home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions.

A group of young children with teachers standing around a green table at Capital E, holding hands.

Capital E

Ignite your children‘s creative spark at Capital E — a space to inspire, educate, and entertain.

Looking up into the trees at Adrenalin Forest as a child balances across a wire between two tress.

Adrenalin Forest

Get among the treetops at Adrenalin Forest — an epic aerial obstacle course designed to challenge you physically and mentally.

Two bicyclists ride together in front of the colourful boat sheds located in Oriental Bay in Wellington.

Switched on Bikes

Pedal through the streets with the greatest of ease. The hills are no problem with a Switched on Bike.

On a hill the sign for Carlucci Land sits among large rocks. It is made of corrugated iron and painted in different colours.

Carlucci Land Mini Golf

Pay a visit to Carlucci Land just 10 minutes from Wellington’s CBD to discover why this 18-hole mini golf course has become a Wellington landmark.