Nelson Skywire: 800m Zipline & Native Forest Ride

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration1h 20m

GroupUp to 16

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Twelve Minutes Strapped Into a Racing Seat, Falling Through New Zealand Air

You ride a 4km forest drive to a platform 300 metres up, then strap into a racing seat for a 12-minute dual-direction zipline that hits 100km/hr. The cable carries you 800 metres forward and backward, with scenic glide sections in between, finishing where you started. The whole experience, including the van journey and check-in, takes 1–1.5 hours from the base.

1h 20m

Step-by-step itinerary

Skywire zipline adventure at Cable Bay

Check in at booking office
Enjoy coffee or cheese scone
Board mini-bus to launch platform
Listen to forest commentary
Experience Skywire zipline ride
Return to base area

The Experience

"You're going backwards now," the guide said as the platform tilted and the forest disappeared behind us. That's the Skywire at Cable Bay, Nelson — you launch forward at nearly 100 kilometres per hour, then the harness swings you around mid-air and you come back the same way you went, only facing the opposite direction. The whole thing takes about 12 minutes, which sounds short until you're 300 metres above sea level with nothing between you and the canopy but gravity and a cable.

The day starts at the Base Cafe, where you check in at least 10 minutes before your slot. If you're early, grab a cheese scone — they're famous enough that people mention them. Then you board one of the air-conditioned 4X4 vans for a 4-kilometre drive up through native forest to the launch platform. The driver and guide talk the whole way — stories about the trees, the region, what you're about to do. It's not filler; it settles your nerves and fills the time so you don't just sit there thinking about what's coming. The Skywire zipline experience takes up to four people at a time, seated side by side in individual racing car seats with five-point harnesses. Forward 800 metres, then 700 metres of scenic glide before the turnaround, then the same in reverse. Nearly 12 minutes of it.

The whole return trip from the base takes between one and one-and-a-half hours, so it's not an all-day commitment. Operations run daily from 10am, with the last departure at 3pm, and the experience is weather-dependent — heavy rain or high winds shut it down, which is why bookings are recommended, especially in summer. You need to be at least 1.2 metres tall; children 15 and under get child rates, and there are family packages for two adults and two kids if you call ahead. Parking is free while you're there.

What’s included

Your experience includes free parking, a commentated 4-kilometre mini-bus journey through native forest in an air-conditioned 4X4 van with a professional driver, the 12-minute Skywire zipline ride with dual forward and backward sections, and all safety equipment (racing car seat with five-point harness). Check-in at the booking office is required at least 10 minutes before departure.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cable Bay Adventure Park

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a single, self-contained adrenaline experience without a full day's commitment — the 1–1.5 hour window from base to base and the fixed 10am–3pm schedule mean you can fit it around other plans in Nelson.