Nelson Cable Bay: Skywire Adventure Ride & Forest Transfer

Summary

Native forest ride, laughter with guides, then Skywire flight

You’ll ride through native forest with a local guide before launching on the Skywire adventure at Cable Bay, Nelson. Feel your heart race as you glide both forward and backward over treetops in side-by-side seats—up to four people at once. Includes transfer from the base cafe and plenty of laughs along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We piled into the 4x4 van at Cable Bay, still half-awake from a too-early coffee at the base cafe (good flat white, by the way). The driver — I think her name was Jo — started pointing out these old rimu trees as we bumped up through the bush. Sunlight kept flickering through the windows and someone in our group tried to spot a tui but just heard its weird call echoing instead. Jo told us about how high we were going — 300 meters above where we started — and I honestly didn’t expect it to feel that steep.

The launch platform sits right above the treetops. There’s this nervous energy up there; everyone sort of jokes around but you can tell most are just trying not to look down. Our guide checked all our harnesses twice (I appreciated that), then suddenly we’re strapped in side by side — four across, like some kind of flying go-kart. The wind was cooler than I thought it’d be, sharp against my cheeks. And when we took off on the Skywire ride, it’s not just fast — it’s weirdly smooth and quiet except for someone’s shout behind me. You go forward first, then backwards again for another wild stretch. It’s almost twelve minutes but feels like less.

I remember gripping the handles so tight my hands hurt after. There’s this moment halfway where everything goes silent except for wind and distant birds — you’re just gliding over green valleys with Nelson shining way out in the distance. When we finally rolled back onto the platform everyone laughed (one guy swore he’d never do it again but he was smiling). The guides seemed genuinely happy for us; one even offered to take photos with our phones before we rode back down.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Skywire Adventure at Cable Bay

• Check in at booking office
• Grab coffee or snack at Base Cafe
• Board mini-bus to launch platform
• Listen to guide's forest commentary
• Ride Skywire forward and backward
• Return to Base area

Top questions

How long does the Skywire ride at Cable Bay take?

The full Skywire experience takes about 1–1.5 hours round trip from the base area, with nearly 12 minutes spent on the actual ride itself.

Is pickup included for the Skywire adventure?

Your ticket includes a 4km mini-bus transfer from the base cafe up through native forest to the launch platform.

How many people can ride together on the Skywire?

Up to four people can ride side by side on each Skywire run.

What are the age or height requirements?

Participants must be at least 1.2 meters tall; child rates apply for those aged 15 years and under.

Is lunch or food available onsite?

The base cafe is open daily from 9am if you want coffee or a bite before or after your adventure.

Can spectators come along without riding?

Spectators are welcome to join the journey up to the launch platform for an extra cost even if they don’t ride.

What’s included

Your adventure includes unlimited parking during opening hours, a guided mini-bus transfer through native forest up to the Skywire launch platform, all safety equipment with individual harnesses, and friendly staff who help with photos before your return drive down—plus time at the base cafe if you arrive early or want to grab something after your flight.