Wellington 3-Hour City Tour: Cable Car & Harbour Views
The Cable Car is New Zealand's only remaining funicular railway.
A 3-hour guided tour of Wellington covers the city's main landmarks and hidden corners, including four photo stops, a ride on the Cable Car, and views from Mt Victoria Lookout. Pickup and return to cruise ships are included, and the tour suits all fitness levels. Note: the Cable Car is closed for maintenance between 21 July and 10 August 2025.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Wellington city highlights
- Drive past national museum
- View Wellington's Golden Sands beach
- Photo stop at Wellington sign
- Drive through Miramar film area
- Photo stop at Wahine Memorial Park
- Drive beneath Wellington Airport runway
- Photo stop at Mt Victoria Lookout
- Drive through Courtenay Place and Cuba Street
- Ride Wellington Cable Car to summit
- Listen for native birds in Botanic Garden
- Drive by Beehive building at Parliament
- Drive by Old St Paul's Cathedral
- CentrePort Wellington passing by
- Wellington Cable Car Entry included 30m
- Wellington Botanic Garden passing by
- New Zealand Parliament passing by
- Old St. Paul's passing by
What’s included
- Pickup and return from cruise ships.
- a live English-speaking guide.
- four photo stops at the Wellington sign, South Coast, Mt Victoria Lookout and Cable Car summit.
- a complimentary Cable Car ride.
- and views of Parliament's Beehive building, Old St. Paul's Cathedral, Wellington Botanic Garden, and the city harbour.
Times
- Every day 09:30 13:45
Before you book
Operated by Wanderlust Tourism Group
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts with pickup directly from your cruise ship and moves through Wellington's neighborhoods at a pace that leaves time to absorb each stop. You'll drive past the national museum, see Golden Sands beach, and stop for photos at the quirky Wellington sign, a nod to the Hollywood original, before heading into Miramar to learn how the area became the center of New Zealand's film industry. The route takes you beneath Wellington Airport's runway, where local surfers ride waves in the bay, then climbs to Mt Victoria Lookout for views across the city and harbour.
The Cable Car ride is the centerpiece: a 5-minute journey on New Zealand's only remaining funicular railway, traveling through light-filled tunnels to the summit. From there you can pick up souvenirs at the Cable Car mini-museum. On the way back down, the tour passes through the Wellington Botanic Garden: listen for native birds that were once critically endangered and are now thriving thanks to conservation work. You'll see the Beehive, Parliament's distinctive Brutalist building, and Old St. Paul's Cathedral, a timber Gothic Revival structure that stands as one of the finest examples of its kind in the world.
The route includes stops at Wahine Memorial Park on the South Coast, where you can see across Wellington Harbour, the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, Cook Strait, and sometimes the Kaikoura Ranges on the South Island. Cuba Street and Courtenay Place show you the heart of Bohemian Wellington, including the Bucket Fountain, one of the city's many unique public sculptures. The tour wraps with guaranteed return to your cruise ship.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving by cruise ship and need to return to the dock by a set time. We pick you up at the terminal and guarantee your return, so you can explore Wellington's highlights without watching the clock.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Wellington Cable Car and how long is the ride?
The Wellington Cable Car is New Zealand's only remaining funicular railway. The ride to the summit takes 5 minutes and travels through light-filled tunnels, with a mini-museum at the top where you can browse souvenirs.
Will I have time to get off and explore at each stop?
The tour includes four dedicated photo stops at the Wellington sign, Wahine Memorial Park on the South Coast, Mt Victoria Lookout, and the Cable Car summit. The 3-hour duration includes travel time between stops and points of interest, so the pace is built around taking in each location.
What landmarks will I see on this tour?
You'll see Old St. Paul's Cathedral, the Beehive at Parliament, Wellington Botanic Garden, Mt Victoria Lookout, Wahine Memorial Park, and pass through Miramar, Cuba Street, and Courtenay Place. The route also takes you past the national museum and beneath Wellington Airport's runway.
Is the Cable Car included in the tour price?
Yes, a complimentary ride on the Wellington Cable Car is included. However, the Cable Car will be closed for maintenance between 21 July and 10 August 2025, so check your tour date before booking.
How does pickup and return work for cruise ship passengers?
Pickup is included directly from your cruise ship, and the tour guarantees return to the dock, so you don't need to arrange separate transport or worry about getting back in time.
What can I expect to learn about Wellington's film industry?
As the tour drives through Miramar, your guide will explain how the area became the home of New Zealand's film industry and its significance to the city's culture and economy.
Wellington 3-Hour City Tour: Cable Car & Harbour Views
3h · EN · at your hotel
from NZ$ 110 per person
≈ US$ 63 in your currency
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