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The Wellington Cable Car carries passengers between Lambton Quay, Wellington's main shopping street, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city. The journey goes under the motorway, through the three tunnels, past Kelburn Park and Victoria University and on to the top entrance of the city's Botanical Gardens where various walks begin and where the Carter Observatory and Planetarium are located. The Cable Car is widely recognised as a symbol of Wellington and one of Wellingtons oldest and most popular tourist attractions.
History of the Cable Car goes back to the end of the 19th century. Wellington was expanding rapidly, and due to the city's hilly terrain, good building land was at a premium. When new residential developments were proposed for Kelburn, it was suggested that a cable car or funicular could be built to provide easy access. In 1898, a number of people prominent in the residential subdivisions founded the Kelburne & Karori Tramway Company. The plan was to build a tramway between the city and Kelburn, and link it by carriage to Karori, a settlement on the far side of Kelburn. The company began purchasing land for the contruction of the tramway, and negotiated with Karori authorities for a new road (now Upland Road) to link the line's upper terminus with Karori. In 1898, the Wellington City Council granted permission for the venture, on the condition that the Council had the option to purchase the operation at a later date. The location of Victoria University of Wellington was influenced by the Tramway Company's offer of a donation of £1000 if the University were located in Kelburn, so students would patronise the car when travelling between the city and the University.
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