- Address: 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand;
- Phone: +64 4-472 2199;
- Working hours: 07.00-22.00;
- Website: wellingtoncablecar.co.nz
One of the most interesting sights of the capital of New Zealand is the Wellington cable car, which connects the Lambton embankment and the streets of the suburbs of Kelburn. It is located in the hills around the capital and it houses the city's main shopping facilities and residential complexes.
The length of the cable car exceeds 600-meters, and the maximum height reaches 120 meters. Today, this is one of Wellington's business cards.
Background History
At the end of the 19th century, when the current capital of New Zealand developed rapidly, the idea arose to create a funicular that would allow quick access to a new residential area on the streets of Kelburn. The first real steps to implement the idea were taken in 1898, when a group of interested parties founded a corresponding enterprise.
Responsible for the implementation of the entire project was appointed engineer D. Fulton, who was instructed to choose the best route, to calculate all the work. As a result, it was decided to create some kind of hybrid cable car and funicular.
Construction began in 1899 - on the site around the clock worked three brigades, replacing each other. The grand opening of the route took place in late February 1902.
The Wellington cable car immediately became popular - huge lines of wishing to go around and admire the amazing views were built up to it. And only in 1912 more than 1 million passengers traveled on the cable car.
In the 60s of the last century, a lot of complaints were received on the activities of the cable car, which had been transferred to municipal ownership since 1947. For the most part, they concerned safety of transportation. When in 1973 one of the workers suffered serious injuries, serious changes in the rolling stock began. In particular, obsolete trailers were dismantled. This somewhat reduced the capacity of this kind of "attraction".
Today on the road there are two new "machines" moving at a speed of 18 kilometers per hour. The maximum capacity of each cabin reaches 100 people - there are 30 seats for seating and about 70 passengers can take up standing places.
Features of functioning
Today, the Wellington cable car in the morning and in the evening carries the inhabitants of Kelburn into the main part of the city and back. In the afternoon, the main passenger traffic is made up of tourists, especially in the summer months, as well as visitors to the Botanical Garden , students of the University of Victoria. Every year, a little less than a million people use the cable car services.
Cable Car Museum
In December 2000, the Cable Car Museum was inaugurated, where you can see the features of its development and see unique exhibits:
- first booths;
- The original gears used for many years to drive the cabins;
- other mechanisms and much more.
Schedule of work and cost
The Wellington cable car is open daily. On weekdays the traffic starts at 7 o'clock, and ends at 22 o'clock. On Saturday, booths move from 8:30 to 22:00, and on Sunday from 8:30 to 21:00. For Christmas and other holidays a special schedule is provided. Also there are so-called "veteran days", when pensioners can use the services of the cable car, buying tickets at significant discounts.
The cost of the ticket depends on the age of the passenger:
- for children under five years of travel is free;
- for adults - 7.5 New Zealand dollars (NZD) in both directions and 4 NZD in one direction;
- for children from 5 to 15 years - 3.5 NZD in both directions and 2 NZD in one direction;
- for students (it is necessary to demonstrate a New Zealand student card) - 3.5 NZD in both directions and 2 NZD in one direction;
- family travel card - 19 NZD.
The departure station is at Kelburn, Apload Road, 1. The station in Wellington is located on the Lambton waterfront.
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