Wellington Cable Car Tour: City Heights & Views

Three viewpoints frame Wellington's harbour between mountains and sea.

A private 6-hour Wellington sightseeing tour with a live English-speaking guide covers the city's three highest viewing points, the iconic Cable Car with Rose Garden access, Weta Workshop, Red Rocks Reserve, and a Kiwi meat pie stop. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup. The group size depends on which option you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount Victoria Lookout30m
2. Red Rocks Reserve15m
3. Wellington Cable Car30m · entry included

Explore Wellington's highlights and views

• Meet 10 minutes before tour
• See the Band Rotunda landmark
• View the Carter Fountain
• Observe historic painted houses
• Climb 30 steps to Mount Victoria Lookout
• Visit Peter Jackson's art deco cinema and cafe
• Photo opportunities at Weta Cave
• Drive along the coast for city views
• Visit Te Kopahou visitor centre
• Sample a Kiwi meat pie
• Try local craft beer and buy a roadie
• Ride the Wellington Cable Car and visit museum
• Walk through Lady Norwood Rose Garden
• See wind turbines from the west
• Return to base

The experience

Wellington's geography is its story, and this tour uses three separate viewpoints to show why. You start at Mount Victoria Lookout, a gentle 30-step climb, where the city spreads below between harbour and hills. From there, the guide drives the coast road for unobstructed views of the capital, then heads south to Red Rocks Reserve and the Te Kopahou visitor centre. The route weaves through neighbourhoods of Streamline Moderne houses painted in heritage colours, past the Carter Fountain (a $75,000 gift to the city from a local businessman), and by the Band Rotunda, a 1938 landmark closed since 2012 for restoration. Your guide explains what each landmark means to Wellington's identity as New Zealand's most progressive city.

The Cable Car ride is included as a one-way trip to the top, where you walk through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and access the Cable Car museum. The Weta Workshop stop lets you see the cave trolls and film props in person. Paid tours of the full workshop are available if you want to go deeper. A coastal drive follows, then the south coast stretch to Red Rocks, where you sample a Kiwi meat pie and local craft beer. The whole day is paced to let the viewpoints do the talking rather than rush between them.

An air-conditioned vehicle with full mobility access for portable scooters and wheelchairs means the tour works for a range of mobility needs. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome. Pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport to the start.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup included.
• Cable Car one-way ride to the top and access to the Rose Garden and Cable Car museum.
• a Kiwi meat pie and local craft beer at Red Rocks Reserve.
• live English-speaking guide throughout the 6-hour tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kosher Tours & Travel NZ

Is this one for you?Choose the private car option if your group is three adults or fewer and you want the flexibility of a smaller vehicle. The minivan or large car suits a bigger group and lets everyone travel together without a second booking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

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 are the three viewpoints on the Wellington City Heights tour?

Mount Victoria Lookout is the first, reached by a gentle 30-step climb and offering views of the city between harbour and hills. The second is a coastal drive with unobstructed panoramas of the capital. The third is from the west, where you see Wellington's wind turbines: over 60 of them help make the city 90% self-sufficient for electricity.

Is the Wellington Cable Car included in this tour?

Yes. The Cable Car ride to the top is included as a one-way trip, and you get access to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the Cable Car museum at the summit.

What happens at Weta Workshop on this tour?

You walk through Weta Cave to see local cave trolls and film props from Peter Jackson's productions. Paid tours of the full workshop are available at reception if you want a deeper look at how the movie magic is made.

Does this tour include lunch?

The tour includes a Kiwi meat pie and local craft beer stop at Red Rocks Reserve, but a full lunch is not part of the package. You can add your own meal during the spare time built into the day.

How many people can book this private tour?

You choose between a private car for up to 3 adults or a large car or minivan option at checkout, depending on your group size.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs and mobility devices?

Yes. The vehicle has full mobility access for portable scooters and wheelchairs. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.