Wellington Tour: Cable Car, Mt Victoria & Wildlife

See Wellington's landmarks and choose your own adventure in nature or film

A full-day guided tour of Wellington covering the city's main landmarks (Mt Victoria lookout, the Wellington Cable Car, Parliament Buildings, Old St Paul's Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens) plus your choice of a guided tour at either Weta Workshop Studios or Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is transport in an air-conditioned minivan with live English commentary from your guide. Lunch at a seaside cafe is at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Wellington highlights

• See CentrePort Wellington building front
• Enjoy 360-degree views at Mount Victoria Lookout
• Walk the elevated Tree Top Walkway
• Ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car
• Visit the museum at cable car top
• Stroll through Wellington Botanic Gardens
• Explore Lady Norwood Rose Garden
• Visit New Zealand Parliament Buildings
• Tour inside Old St Paul's Cathedral

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. CentrePort Wellington passing by
2. Mount Victoria Lookout 10m
3. Wellington Cable Car Entry included 20m
4. Wellington Botanic Garden 15m
5. New Zealand Parliament 10m
6. Old St. Paul's Entry included 10m

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan.
• live English-language guide commentary.
• Wellington Cable Car ride with museum access.
• entry to either Weta Workshop Studios or Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary (both with guided tours).
• access to Mt Victoria lookout, Parliament Buildings, Old St Paul's Cathedral, the Botanic Gardens and Lady Norwood Rose Garden.

Times

• Every day except Thursday 09:00
• Thursday 09:00 10:00

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 18 4 private ›

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 41 pickup points.

Book up to 2d before

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Xplor Tours

Prices and times updated today

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The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Wellington hotel or the iSite Visitor Centre, then moves through the city's core stops: Parliament Buildings (the Beehive), Old St Paul's Cathedral with its Gothic Revival architecture, and a stroll through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. You'll ride the Wellington Cable Car, which has carried passengers since 1902, up to the museum at the top for panoramic views of the harbour and city. Mt Victoria lookout comes next, offering 360-degree views across Wellington.

At Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary, your guide leads you across the Tree Top Walkway 20 metres above the forest floor through rimu and tawa trees, where native birds move through the canopy. The alternative is a guided tour of Weta Workshop Studios, where you can see the workshops behind the film effects. You'll also walk through the Wellington Botanic Gardens and have lunch at a seaside cafe (your own cost) before heading back.

The tour runs 6.5 to 7 hours in total. Your guide provides live commentary throughout, and the air-conditioned minivan means you're not walking between every stop. If you're arriving by cruise ship, pickup is available at the port (151 Aotea Quay). Let the operator know your ship name when you book.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's the difference between the Weta Workshop and Zealandia options on this tour?

Weta Workshop is a guided tour of the film effects studios behind the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, while Zealandia is a guided walk through a native wildlife sanctuary where you cross a treetop walkway 20 metres above the forest floor and watch for native birds. You choose one when you book.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is at a seaside cafe partway through the day, but the cost is not included in the tour price. You pay separately for what you order.

Will I be walking a lot on this tour?

You'll have easy strolls through the Botanic Gardens and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, a 10-minute stop inside Old St Paul's Cathedral, and the Tree Top Walkway at Zealandia (or the Weta Workshop tour if you choose that instead). Most travel between stops is by minivan, so it's suitable for all fitness levels.

What does the Wellington Cable Car visit include?

You ride the cable car to the top, visit the small museum at that end, and enjoy panoramic views of the harbour and city from up there.

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

Yes, pickup is available at the port (151 Aotea Quay, Pipitea). When you book, add your ship name in the special requirements field so the driver knows when to meet you.

What's the view like from Mt Victoria?

Mt Victoria lookout gives you a 360-degree view across Wellington City, so you can see the whole urban area and harbour from one vantage point.