Exploring Wellington's heritage
From island quarantine stations to a historic railway, there’s a wealth of history just waiting to be discovered. Whether you are looking for a short stroll, a bike ride, or a more challenging hike, Wellington has you covered.
DOMINION OBSERVATORY, BOTANIC GARDENS
Start your trip to Dominion Observatory with a ride up Wellington’s iconic (and historic) cable car. From Cable Car Lane just off Lambton Quay, you can catch the cable car to the top of the Botanic Gardens.
Take a moment to enjoy the stunning view across Wellington, then consider popping into the Cable Car Museum (free entry). Since 1902, the cable car has been a much-loved feature of Wellington public transport. The museum building was the original winding house for the cable car and it is now home to several early cable cars.
The Dominion Observatory is only a short stroll from the top of the cable car. While you can’t go inside, the Edwardian baroque building’s exterior and the interpretation panels are well worth the visit.
The Dominion Observatory was built in 1907. It housed the Time Service, which used astronomical observations to establish New Zealand’s official time. The responsibility
