Cable car and Botanic Garden

The historic cable car has been operating for over a century, providing a short but steep journey from the central business district up to the suburb of Kelburn. It's a classic Wellington experience, offering great views of the city and harbour as you climb. At the top, you'll find the Cable Car Museum which details the history of this much-loved transport system.

From the top station, it's a short walk into the Wellington Botanic Garden, a 25-hectare protected native forest, conifer collections, and seasonal floral displays. Follow the winding paths downhill through the gardens, discovering areas like the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the Begonia House. The walk back down to the city through the gardens is a peaceful way to spend an afternoon.

Allow 2-3 hours for Cable car and Botanic Garden, plus drive time from wherever you spend the night before. Distances in Wellington look short on a map, but winding roads, roadworks and campervan speeds stretch them, so build this stop around an unhurried day rather than squeezing it between long drives. Best time to go: Beautiful year-round, with the Rose Garden at its best in summer. Check road conditions and seasonal ferry timetables before you lock in dates. It suits travellers who want to slow down and see Wellington properly rather than tick it off. Send your plan to an Acrossnz advisor and we'll check the timing works.