Cable Car Museum

Cable Car Museum is located in the original winding house of the cable car system. It is housed on two floors and still has the original winding mechanism from 1902-1978. You can also see two of the original grip cars that operated on the same line. Visiting this museum is like stepping back in time to see how Wellington’s iconic transport system developed. In the 1980s, Wellington was one of the fastest developing cities of New Zealand and the cable car provided favourable transport for the area’s workforce.

The museum is located next to the Kelburn terminus and has breathtaking views of Wellington city and harbour as well as easy access to the Botanical Gardens. The Grip Car 3 was used in the 1990s and is unique as the grip man’s main controls are located in the middle. The machinery is elegant and reminiscent of late Victorian innovation. You will then notice the original winding machine which was operational from 1930-1978 and is the main area of the cable car and you will see the machinery used to move the cars up the hill. The Relentless Red Rattler is one of the red cable cars used from 1950-1970 and it was named ‘rattler’ because of the rattling noise it produced up the steep incline. You can also view a documentary about Wellington’s transport system from the 1900s to the present.