At Wellington Cable Car we’re on an accessibility journey, regularly upgrading and improving our facilities so that anyone with a disability or impairment can experience the North Island of New Zealand’s only funicular railway. We not only seek guidance from accessibility professionals but also act on feedback and recommendations from our passengers. So, before you visit us, here’s some information to help you plan.
GETTING THERE
By car
The entrance to Lambton Quay Terminal is on the city’s main shopping street but there’s only limited parking nearby. To see parking options in the area, click here.
By public transport (Metlink)
There are bus stops on Lambton Quay, close to the Cable Car’s Lambton Quay Terminal, served by most services going to or from the Wellington Station Bus Interchange. Train services from the Greater Wellington region terminate at this interchange.
For Metlink bus and train routes and accessibility information, click here.
WHERE TO START YOUR JOURNEY
Terminals
Lambton Quay, in the city centre, and Kelburn at the top of the Cable Car are fully accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and baby buggies. However, as there’s limited car parking near Lambton Quay you may like to begin your journey at Kelburn where there’s Wilson Parking only 35 metres from the terminal. There’s limited parking for disabled drivers by the Kelburn terminal – please ensure that your disabled parking permit is visible.
Intermediate stations (request stops)
Clifton, Talavera and Salamanca stations have access by ramps from nearby streets and pathways. Clifton is approximately 90 metres from The Terrace.
To avoid the steep footbridge ramp over the track at Talavera, we recommend travelling on Car 2. The car’s number is shown on the front and back of the car, above the bumpers
PURCHASING A TICKET
You can buy tickets at the Lambton Quay Terminal using cash, Eftpos, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and Alipay), and Amex.
To avoid standing in a queue, you can buy tickets online before arrival. It’s fast, convenient and allows you to access the terminal directly using the QR code on the tickets you’ll receive via email. There is no access to free WIFI in Lambton Quay Terminal, we recommend downloading your ticket before arrival.
If you’re not travelling through Lambton Quay, please pay the driver (cash only) or show your tickets.
AT LAMBTON QUAY STATION
Entrance to and exit from the Lambton Quay Terminal is by electronic gates, activated by scanning a QR code on your ticket. The orange gates are 90 cm wide to accommodate most wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and baby buggies.
If you need help scanning your ticket and/or access through the gates, please ask one of our friendly and helpful staff members.
There are seats at the Lambton Quay and Kelburn Terminals. On busy and crowded days, if you’re unable to stand, please ask staff for assistance.
There’s no seating at Clifton, Talavera and Salamanca stations. However, the cars run at least every 10 minutes, so waiting times are not long.
BOARDING THE CARS
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users and passengers with prams and baby buggies should board the cars through the upper doors to avoid steps at the intermediate stations. Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and baby buggies can be rolled on and off the cars and can remain uncollapsed in the entrance landings. You can stay seated in or on your mobility device and leave children in prams and buggies while the car is travelling but please make sure the wheels are locked.
There are steps inside the cars to reach the seats but the most accessible seating is next to the flat landings by the doors.
GUIDE AND SERVICE DOGS
All dogs including guide and service dogs are welcome on the Cable Car free of charge. These dogs are not required to stay in the designated dog areas of the cars and may stay with their owner regardless of where they choose to sit.
TOILETS
There are no toilets at any of the stations but there are accessible public toilets near the Lambton Quay Terminal, across the pedestrian crossing on Grey Street, near the ANZ Bank, and just outside the Kelburn Terminal, on the left-hand side.
PASSENGERS WITH VISUAL AND/OR HEARING IMPAIRMENTS
If you have any accessibility difficulties, please ask one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff for assistance.
Hearing impaired
Ticket prices and information are shown on our website and on information boards by the Lambton Quay Ticket Box, and you can buy tickets online here.
Loud noises
During busy times, the car bells and passengers may create noise that is uncomfortable for some people. If you’re sensitive to loud and sudden noise, we suggest you avoid the front and back of the cars (by the driver’s cab) as this is where the car's bell sounds loudest.
PASSENGERS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Cars depart both terminals on the hour and then every 10 minutes – more often during busy times. A warning bell rings about one minute before cars leave the terminals and as they approach and leave intermediate stations.
Lambton and Kelburn terminals have Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) to help visually impaired passengers. TGSIs haven’t yet been installed at the Clifton, Talavera and Salamanca so we advise visually impaired passengers to avoid these stations if travelling alone and without assistance.
If you want to stop at one of the intermediate stations, please tell our Ticket Box and the driver, or if possible, press the red stop request button located on the post by either of the car’s two landings.
LIGHTING
Tunnels
If you’re sensitive to bright and flashing lights, please be aware that in two of the tunnels there are a flashing light display and colours. There are no lights in the tunnel leaving Lambton Quay Terminal.
The track
At night the track is not illuminated apart from the tunnel light displays and lights at the intermediate stations. However, we keep the interiors of the cars as well-lit as possible, except when passing through the tunnels with the light displays.
CARERS AND SUPPORT PERSON
If you’re travelling with a carer or support person they may be eligible to travel with you for free. Relevant identification may also be required. Please get in touch with us by email (info@wellingtoncablecar.co.nz) or by phone (+64 4 471 2199) to arrange the complimentary companion/support person ticket.
CROWDING
The Cable Car can become very crowded during peak times which are:
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Commuter hours, usually Monday–Friday, 8–9am and 4–6pm;
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Weekends and public holidays;
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Days on which cruise ship passengers are in the city.
For the current cruise ship Schedule, click here.
Google Maps shows real-time crowd information at the Cable Car under the ‘Popular Times’ section. You’ll find the Cable Car’s maps profile here.
THE TOP OF THE CABLE CAR
We think the best way to make the most of your ride is to spend some time at Paekākā (bird perch), the ‘Top of the Cable Car’, near the Kelburn Terminal, by visiting some of the great attractions including: the Cable Car Museum; Space Place; the Botanical Gardens; Zealandia; the Cable Top Eatery; and the Victorian Perfumery.
Connection to Zealandia
Zealandia provides a free shuttle van to and from the Kelburn Terminal. The van is accessibility friendly but doesn’t have a chair lift so is limited to those who can walk short distances away from their mobility scooter or chair. Click here to find out more about Zealandia's accessibility.
Here are the links to the accessibility pages of some of these attractions:
Botanic Gardens (accessibility page), and to check out the map of the Gardens, click here. You’ll also find a printed version of the map in the Lambton Quay Terminal and at the entrance to the gardens.
Cable Car Museum (accessibility page).
Space Place (accessibility page).
EMERGENCIES
In the rare chance of an earthquake or power outage the cars may stop when not at a station. Our staff are trained in car evacuation procedures, with particular emphasis on helping passengers with disabilities and impairments.
Get in touch with us – for any feedback or to answer questions you may have please email us info@wellingtoncable.car.co.nz