• 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.

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.