Half-day Wellington tour: Mt Victoria, Cable Car, Weta Cave

A 360-degree view from Mt Victoria and the Cable Car ride down through the city

A half-day guided tour of Wellington with hotel pickup and drop-off, traveling by air-conditioned minivan with a live English-speaking guide. You'll see Mt Victoria Lookout at 197 metres elevation for panoramic city views, ride the Wellington Cable Car from downtown to Kelburn, visit Weta Cave to see film props, walk the Parliament Grounds and Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, and stop at Old St Paul's Cathedral. The tour covers downtown Wellington, the rugged coastline, and the Southern Hemisphere's largest roundabout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Wellington's key sights

• See CentrePort Wellington building front
• View building along the route
• Enjoy 360 view from Mount Victoria
• Visit Weta Studios props and gift shop
• Pass by Wellington's popular beach
• Ride Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn
• Pass Lady Norwood Rose Gardens
• Visit Parliament Buildings and Beehive
• See Old St Paul’s Cathedral exterior

The Experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in the CBD, then moves through downtown Wellington's entertainment area before heading to Mt Victoria Lookout. At 197 metres elevation, you get a full 360-degree view of the city and harbor. From there, the route takes you to Weta Cave, where you'll see props and costumes from films Weta Studios has worked on, with a gift shop and bathroom stop built in.

The Cable Car ride is the centerpiece: you descend from downtown Wellington up to Kelburn, where the top station has its own museum and views back over the city. Along the way, you pass one of Wellington's most popular beaches, where some of the most expensive real estate in the area sits right on the waterfront. The guide provides live commentary throughout, pointing out landmarks and context as you move through each stop.

The final stops include Lady Norwood Rose Gardens—with its Italian fountain, Begonia House, café, and a Peace Flame in a rock from Hiroshima—then the Parliament Grounds (three buildings: Parliament House, the Library, and the Beehive), and Old St Paul's Cathedral, one of the world's best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. An entry donation applies if you want to go inside the cathedral. The tour ends with drop-off back at your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within the CBD.
• air-conditioned minivan transport.
• live English-speaking guide and commentary throughout.
• Cable Car ride from downtown to Kelburn.
• entry to Weta Cave to see film props and the gift shop.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Xplor Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're exploring Wellington with family or a small group and want multiple landmarks covered in a single morning or afternoon—the minivan route hits downtown, Mt Victoria, the coastline, and more with hotel pickup included.

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Top questions

What's the best time of day to book this Wellington tour?

The tour runs as a half-day experience, so it fits either morning or afternoon depending on your schedule. Hotel pickup is included, so you choose the time that works with your plans and the operator confirms the slot.

Do I need to pay extra to get inside Old St Paul's Cathedral?

Old St Paul's Cathedral is included in the tour stops, but entry inside the building requires a donation; viewing the exterior is part of the standard route.

What's the view like from Mt Victoria Lookout?

Mt Victoria Lookout sits at 197 metres elevation and gives you a full 360-degree panorama of Wellington—the city, harbor, and surrounding landscape all visible from a single vantage point.

Is the Cable Car ride included, or do I pay separately?

The Cable Car ride from downtown Wellington up to Kelburn is included in the tour; you don't arrange or pay for it separately. The top station has a museum and city views.

What can I see at Weta Cave?

Weta Cave displays props and costumes used in films that Weta Studios has worked on. There's a gift shop selling studio merchandise, and it's also a bathroom stop on the tour.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes, cruise ship passengers can book this tour with pickup at Wellington Cruise Ship Port (Aotea Quay, Pipitea). You'll need to add your ship name in the special requirements field at booking.