Can't find the answer below? Contact our friendly team on (04) 473 0149 from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Where is Light Cycles?
Light Cycles is a self-guided event via a one-way path through Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā. It begins at the Met Service Building, 30 Salamanca Road and ends at Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
There is no parking available near the start of the experience; the closest parking building is Clifton Car Park, which is a 15min walk away from the start and finish of the experience. We recommend using the Wellington Cable Car, public transport or please arrange to be dropped off at the start of the experience. It is not a looped journey.
How do I get to Light Cycles?
TAKE THE WELLINGTON CABLE CAR
The Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay up to the Kelburn terminal is the ideal way to get to the start of the experience from Wellington Central. The Cable Car runs every ten minutes. Opening times may vary so be sure to check the timetable and ensure you give yourself enough time to make your session. Please note, the last car will be at 9.30pm on all Friday and Saturday nights between 11 May - 9 June. On Sunday 2 June (Public Holiday weekend) the car will run until 8pm.
Exit the Cable Car at the top (at the Kelburn terminal) and take a 5-minute walk downhill toward the Met Service Building at 30 Salamanca Road. Signs will direct you toward the start of the experience.
Children under 5 travel free on the Wellington Cable Car and New Zealand SuperGold Card holders travel free after 6.30pm on weekdays and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
There is an exclusive Wellington Cable Car ticket offer for Light Cycles ticket holders: you will receive an exclusive 15% off discount code (of all adult and child one-way tickets) once you book your Light Cycles ticket. T&Cs apply.
LOCAL TO THE AREA? WALK TO THE MET SERVICE BUILDING, 30 SALAMANCA RD
Walk straight into the queue at the corner of Salamanca Road and East Path.
COMING FROM FURTHER AWAY? TAKE THE BUS
The following buses will stop at Upland Road (stop 5916 or stop 4916) - 4, 18, 21, 22. Walk up Upland Road toward the Cable Car until you see the signs for Light Cycles. From there, take a 5-minute walk downhill toward the Met Service Building at 30 Salamanca Road.
NEED TO BE DROPPED OFF BY CAR
Head to Upland Road and get dropped off at the Cable Car Museum. Signage near the museum will guide you along the 5-minute walk downhill to the start of the experience at 30 Salamanca Road.
There is no mobility parking available at the start of the experience. We recommend utilising this drop-off point if you have accessibility requirements. Please contact our ticketing team if you have questions and access requirements, email ticketing@festival.co.nz or call 021 528 481.
How do I depart from Light Cycles?
TAKE THE CABLE CAR
Take the Norwood pathway back to the beginning of the experience. Signage at the end of the experience will point you in the right direction, otherwise ask a host for assistance. Please be aware that this path is steep in places and is not accessible for everyone.
Please note: The Wellington Cable Car operating hours are different than Light Cycles. The Cable Car operates until 8pm Monday – Thursday, 9.30pm Friday – Saturday (between 11 May - 9 June), and 7pm Sundays. On Sunday 2 June (Public Holiday weekend) the car will run until 8pm.
WALK
The experience ends outside the Lady Norwood Garden. You can walk toward Tinakori Road (2mins) or follow the signs to Lambton Quay via Kinross St (13mins).
BUS
There are bus stops on Glenmore Street (stop 4313 and stop 5313). The following buses pass through these stops – 2, 13, 33, 34.
UBER/TAXI PICK-UP
You can arrange for a taxi or uber to pick you up from Glenmore Street
If you require pick-up close to the event due to accessibility requirements, your driver will be able to drive into the gardens from Glenmore Street and pull over in the public parking area to collect you.
How long will Light Cycles take?
Your adventure will likely last between 30-45 minutes. The route is approximately 750m long. We encourage you to take your time as you explore.
What age is Light Cycles suitable for?
This experience is suitable for adults and children over 3 years old. Please note the experience takes place at night and requires walking through natural, sometimes uneven terrain. Supervise your child or children closely and always keep them with you. Under 3’s are free.
For safety reasons, we discourage bringing buggies or strollers, as some parts of the track are unsuitable for them. For infants, we recommend using baby carriers. A porta-loo style baby change station is available at the end of the experience for your convenience.
Accessibility information for Light Cycles
Light Cycles takes place within the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā on dark pathways with uneven terrain and gravel in places. It is therefore not recommended for those who require special assistance or use mobility equipment that is unsuited for that terrain. If you have questions about the experience or to discuss your access requirements, feel free to contact us at access@festival.nz or phone 04 473 0149.
The experience contains strong lighting effects, of which some may flicker or strobe as well as haze. This experience is not suitable for people with Photosensitive Epilepsy or Photosensitive Migraines.
More information can be found on our Access & Inclusion page.
What should I wear when I visit?
Please dress for the weather conditions. The route takes place at night time and is dark in places, has uneven terrain and some patches of gravel. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes as there are some steep sections.
What time should I arrive?
Arrive with plenty of time before the start of your session, we recommend 15 minutes ahead of your start time. This is to ensure you have enough time to check-in before entering the experience. Sessions run every 15 minutes. If you book for a 6pm slot for example, you will be admitted between 6-6.15pm.
If you have purchased an Anytime ticket, you can attend Light Cycles for any designated session that is running between 6-8pm Wed, Thu, Sun or 6-8:30pm Fri and Sat. Please keep in mind that Friday and Saturday evenings are likely to be busier, timed tickets will be prioritised and you may need to queue.
Light Cycles is not open on Mon and Tues. Hours may change, keep an eye on the Light Cycles page for the latest opening hours.
Late arriving? We may not be able to guarantee entry if you do not show up for the time indicated on your ticket. Late entries will be dependent on how busy the experience is and will be at the discretion of staff. You may be asked to wait.
Is Light Cycles suitable for dogs?
Other than Guide Dogs and other support dogs, animals are not permitted at the event.
Where are the toilets located?
There are toilets located at the top of the Wellington Cable Car (next to the Kelburn terminal) and at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
Is Light Cycles weather dependent?
Light Cycles will go ahead rain or shine. We recommend wearing adequate clothing and footwear suited to the time of year and weather conditions on the day for an outdoor event. There is no cloakroom for this event. Tickets may only be rescheduled if a session/evening is unable to go ahead due to extreme weather.
If a night or session of Light Cycles is unable to go ahead due to extreme weather conditions or any other conditions that result in making it unsafe for public to be onsite, ticket holders can still attend Light Cycles at any remaining session until 9 June and will be contacted by Ticketmaster. Should ticket holders be unable to attend the remaining dates, they will have until a specified deadline to cancel their order and obtain a refund of the price of the tickets. If the last night does not go ahead and you purchased your ticket for the last night, your ticket will be refunded, and you will be contacted by Ticketmaster. Please note that if an earlier night is unable to go ahead and a subsequent night does go ahead but you opt not to exchange your ticket within the specified timeframe then no refund can be provided.
If it rains, can I bring an umbrella to Light Cycles?
Due to the nature of the experience, umbrellas are prohibited once you pass through the start of Light Cycles. Please ensure you arrive appropriately dressed for the weather.
Are there food and beverage options at Light Cycles?
There will be beverages and snacks available for purchase at the end of the experience. Outside food & beverage and picnics are not permitted on the premises.
The Cable Top Eatery is located at the top of the Cable Car and is open late until 8pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the perfect spot for a pre-adventure drink, meal or snack. They are offering a 10% discount for Light Cycles ticket holders on any coffees or hot drinks, all you have to do is show your ticket. Valid from 11 May – 9 June only.
Where can I stay if I'm visiting from outside of Wellington?
Visiting from out of town? Or fancy a Wellington staycation? Thanks to our Accommodation Partner Boulcott Suites, get 20% off Village Accommodation Group Hotels through the duration of Light Cycles. Access this offer.
Are there prohibited items for Light Cycles?
Yes, the following items are prohibited inside the gate: Seating of any kind, Musical instruments or air horns, poles, sticks, banners or oversized flags (more than 1m x 1m), Weapons or knives, or any object which may be used as a weapon, animals (exceptions for authorised guide/companion dogs), balls, bicycles, skateboards, skates or scooters or any other item the event organiser considers inappropriate.
We reserve the right to: Refuse entry to persons with prohibited items listed above, conduct bag and security checks, refuse entry to intoxicated or disorderly persons, refuse entry to anyone who does not comply with bag or personal searches, refuse entry to any person who does not comply with a request from the organisers, security or regulatory bodies. Prevent unauthorised commercial and promotional activity.
Light Cycles comes to Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā from Saturday 11 May – Sunday 9 June. Created by Moment Factory and brought to you by Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.
