Wellington Private Tour: Cable Car, Parliament & Mt Victoria

Three hours covering the Cable Car, Parliament's Beehive, Mt Victoria's harbour views, and the Weta Cave

A three-hour private tour of Wellington in an electric Tesla SUV with a live English-speaking guide, covering the Cable Car and Cable Car Museum, Parliament precinct, Mt Victoria's summit views, and the Weta Cave. The tour includes entry fees, a refreshments break at a seaside café, and a return Cable Car ticket, with no added charges.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Wellington Cable Car30m
2. Cuba Streetpassing by

Explore Wellington city and bay highlights

• Drive through Thorndon historic area
• Visit Wellington Cable Car and museum
• Drive through Kelburn and university
• Visit Parliament grounds and see the Beehive
• View 360-degree from Mt Victoria summit
• Refreshments at seaside cafe
• See Kupe landing site and ecology projects
• Enter Weta Cave and shop souvenirs
• Drive through Cuba Quarter and Golden Mile

The experience

The tour starts at the Wellington Cable Car, where you ride up to the lookout and visit the award-winning Cable Car Museum, taking in views across Wellington harbour. From there the route moves through Thorndon's colonial and early Māori historic areas, then down through Kelburn and the university to the CBD and Parliament precinct, where you step onto the grounds to see the Beehive and learn how New Zealand's political system works.

Mt Victoria comes next, offering 360-degree views over the harbour, city, Hutt Valley, the Brooklyn wind turbine and the Cook Strait. A refreshments break at a seaside café follows, where you can watch boats sailing in the harbour. The tour then heads to Miramar Peninsula, where Kupe, the great Māori explorer, is said to have landed over 1000 years ago. The peninsula is home to ecology projects including Predator Free Miramar and the Oruaiti Reserve, which preserves native plants and breeding grounds for little blue penguins.

The Weta Cave gives a glimpse into the creativity behind Peter Jackson's film empire and a chance to pick up a Lord of the Rings souvenir. The route finishes through the vibrant Cuba Quarter and down onto Wellington's Golden Mile. Throughout the tour, you travel in an air-conditioned electric Tesla SUV with panoramic glass windows, and the driver-guide adjusts the itinerary based on your interests. Entry fees, the Cable Car return ticket, and refreshments are all included. The only extra is optional gratuities.

What’s included

• Chilled Antipodes artisan mineral water.
• air-conditioned electric Tesla SUV with panoramic glass windows.
• professional English-speaking driver-guide.
• all entry fees.
• return ticket ride on the Wellington Cable Car.
• snacks and refreshments at a scenic seaside café.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

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.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Silver Cloud Luxury Tours

Is this one for you?The tour is led entirely in English by a live guide, so you follow the commentary comfortably throughout. The three-hour duration and flexible itinerary work for most fitness levels, and children from age one can join. If you have a pram or stroller, it travels with you in the vehicle.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): 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 what will I see from the lookout?

The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular railway that climbs from the CBD to the Botanic Gardens. From the Cable Car Lookout you see across Wellington harbour, and the award-winning Cable Car Museum at the top tells the history of the cable car itself.

Can I see Parliament and the Beehive on this tour?

Yes. You drive through the Parliament precinct and step onto the grounds to see the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament building, and the guide explains how the political system works.

What are the views like from Mt Victoria?

Mt Victoria is Wellington's highest point and offers 360-degree views over the harbour, the city, Hutt Valley, the Brooklyn wind turbine and the Cook Strait across to the South Island.

What happens at the Weta Cave?

The Weta Cave is a workshop and museum run by Weta Workshop, the creative studio behind Peter Jackson's film work. You get a taste of the filmmaking and design that goes into those productions, and can buy Lord of the Rings souvenirs.

Is there a break during the tour where I can rest?

Yes. Partway through, you stop at a seaside café overlooking the beach for refreshments, where you can watch boats sailing in the harbour.