Kapiti Coast Electric Tramway

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Wellington Tramway System Timeline

1878 - Steam powered trams commenced operating in Wellington, the first in the Southern Hemisphere.
1882 - Horses replaced the steam powered trams owing to the noise and soot produced by the little steam engines.
1900 - The company operating the trams was purchased for a minimal price by the Wellington City Corporation.
1904 - The first electric tram service ran from a new depot at Newtown to the northern side of the Basin Reserve.
1907 - Lines were extended to Hataitai, Kilbirnie, Miramar and Seatoun.
1929 - The last new route to be built in the Wellington Tramway system was opened to Northland.
1964 - The last trams to run in Wellington ran from Thorndon to Newtown.
1965 - The Wellington Tramway Museum opened at Queen Elizabeth Park in Paekakariki.

'Heritage Tram Ride Experiences'
Trams run every weekend and public holiday
Museum open every day

Queen Elizabeth Park, Paekakariki, New Zealand

We are open to the public on weekends and public holidays except Christmas Day from 11:00am until 4:30pm and daily from Boxing Day (26th December). We regularly run trams from the park entrance at MacKays Crossing for 2 Kms alongside the public road to the Whareroa Beach picnic area, transporting passengers in either or both directions.

Enjoy a nostalgic look back at a piece of Wellington's transport history with our tramway display and tram ride through the scenic coastal sand dunes of Queen Elizabeth Park. Take a look at our photographic display, the 'King Kong' tram, our 'Yesteryear Today' movie and other interesting tramway artifacts.
Our shop is open during operating hours selling tram tickets, ice creams, soft drinks, snacks and tramway souvenirs.
Take a look around our website and discover more about our interesting museum and tramway system.

Other Queen Elizabeth Park Attractions:

The 'Stables on the Park' - horse treks & riding
Model aircraft flying field (weekends only)
The newly developed wetlands, and walking tracks within the Park
The beach and picnic facilities
Holiday Camp

Anything Vintage Festival Round-Up

Proudly Sponsored by:

NEWS

Every last Sunday of the month we have a special themed event under the generic name of Sunday Funday. Click here for details.

KAPITI COAST ELECTRIC TRAMWAY VISITOR CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

Kapiti Coast Electric Tramway is undertaking a new building and development programme. A new visitor centre has been made possible by a generous charitable grant but further funds are needed for setting up the centre including the building fit-out. The visitor centre will include the Tramway Cafe and a coffee club is being launched as a means allowing the residents of Kapiti to contribute towards this worthwhile venture.

Coffee Club members receive a number of benefits in return for a $25 membership including a free family tram ride voucher. A sum of $50,000 is required and the museum is appealing for community support to turn its iconic heritage operation into a sustainable community facility and world class tourist attraction.

Membership cards for the coffee club will be available online HERE or from the Paraparaumu Information Centre in the Coastlands car park near the Post Office.

The tramway and museum, which will be open every day during the school holidays, will have real coffee, a selection of teas and membership cards on sale.