The Wellington Cable Car was closed for repairs when Ross and I first got to Wellington but it reopened in mid-August and we rode it on a nice Sunday recently. It was a lot more fun than I was expecting for a 5-minute, NZ$4 ride. I would definitely recommend doing the cable car at least once while you are in Wellington. It saves you a steep walk and then you can come back downtown through the Botanic Garden and by Parliament, as we did.
The Wellington Cable Car rises 120m (394 feet) over a distance of 612m (2,008 feet), at a consistent grade of almost 18%. Construction started on the cable car in 1899 and it was opened in early 1902. It is used by over one million people each year and is widely recognized as a symbol of Wellington.
The lookout at the top of the cable car provides an excellent view over Wellington. It is also adjacent to the Cable Car Museum (http://www.museumswellington.org.nz/cable-car-museum/), the top entrance to the Botanic Garden (http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/gardens/botanic-garden), and the Space Place at Carter Observatory (http://www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place/). There is also a free shuttle to Zealandia from the lookout (https://www.visitzealandia.com).
We wandered back downtown via the Botanic Garden. I LOVE the Botanic Garden and am really looking forward to additional spring flowers in the coming months and then the summer flowers and roses around December or January. There are multiple themed gardens within the Botanic Garden, such as Australia natives and a succulent garden. There is also a rose garden, which we've yet to see in bloom, and the begonia house.
As a side note, but related to the Wellington Cable car, due to the hilly nature of Wellington and the surrounding suburbs, personal cable cars are quite common. There are an estimated 300 residential cable cars around Wellington. I find them fascinating and felt the need to share so hopefully you are also at least mildly interesting in the idea of a personal cable car to get you and your groceries from the street to your house. Enjoy.
As a side note, but related to the Wellington Cable car, due to the hilly nature of Wellington and the surrounding suburbs, personal cable cars are quite common. There are an estimated 300 residential cable cars around Wellington. I find them fascinating and felt the need to share so hopefully you are also at least mildly interesting in the idea of a personal cable car to get you and your groceries from the street to your house. Enjoy.
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| That little red thing on the track is the cable car going up to the mansion. |
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| Possibly homemade cable car |
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| This one seems a bit unnecessary as there is clearly a sidewalk that isn't too steep going up to the house... |
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