How to Find Us

Carter Observatory is located in Wellington's beautiful Botanic Garden at the top of the Cable Car.

Carter is a 2 minute walk from the top of the Cable Car, 5 minutes walk from the Botanic Garden's Playground, 8 minutes from the Treehouse Visitor Centre and an easy walk along Upland Road, Kelburn.

Parking Information

The closest car park is located at the top of the Cable Car next to the Skyline on Upland Road. It is operated by Tournament Parking.

The rate for parking is $3 per hour, for a maximum of four hours. Car park charges and time limits apply between 4am and 6pm, 7 days a week. The car park is monitored 24 hours a day.

You can pay for parking by either:

• pay and display at meter (coins, credit or text)

• smart phone app (www.nzparkmobile.com).

Note: A disabled car park is available outside the front door of Carter Observatory.  Access is via the road on the left side of the Met Service Office located on Salamanca Road.

Go Wellington Buses 

The nearest bus stop to Carter is Upland Road at Glasgow Street, Stop 5916 or Stop 4916, which are served by bus routes 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, and 47. From either stop, follow Upland Road to the Botanic Garden entrance, and follow the signs to Carter.

John's Hop On Hop Off City Tour

HOP ON and HOP OFF at 18 of Wellington’s best sights and attractions to see Wellington the way YOU want to! The two-hour scenic loops depart from the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre hourly and stops at the top of the Cable Car ~ it's another great way to get to Carter Observatory.

Adult - $39.00; Child (14 & under) - $20.00. Passes valid for 24 hours.

Please see their website for further details: www.hoponhopoff.co.nz.

Wellington Cable Car

***  May 2013 - PLEASE NOTE: ***

The Cable Car will be closed for the demolition of the Kelburn Terminal and for the initial construction stages of the new terminal from Monday 13 May 2013 until Sunday 19 May 2013. The Cable Car will reopen at 7am on Monday 20 May 2013.

A replacement bus service will operate between our Lambton Quay and Upland Road Terminals from Monday to Friday inclusive.  A 20 minute service will operate from 7am to 9:00am and from 4pm to 6pm.  A 40 minute service will operate from 9:20am to 3:40pm.

Normal Cable Car fares will apply.

No bus service will operate on the weekend

The Cable Car runs every 10 minutes between the following times:

Monday to Friday: 7am – 10pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 10pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 9am – 10pm
Christmas Day: Closed                        

Cable Car Fares:

Adult: $3.50 one-way, $6 return
Child 5 – 15 years of age: $1 one-way, $2 return
Child under 5: free
Family of 2 adults and up to 4 children: $15 return
Student: $1 one-way, $2 return

The Cable Car also offers multi-trip cards.

Please see their website for details: http://www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz/