Tramway Museum

The Wellington Tramway Museum is a volunteer-operated heritage site dedicated to preserving New Zealand’s tramway legacy.

Amazing the restoration work they have done.

Nestled in Queen Elizabeth Park on the Kāpiti Coast, approximately 45 km north of Wellington near Paekākāriki, it opened to the public in December 1965.

Its mission was to rescue historic tramcars and artifacts from scrapping and to educate the public about the vital role trams played in shaping the capital’s suburbs and daily life from 1878 to 1964.

At the heart of the attraction is a 2 km (nearly 4 km return) 4-foot (1,219 mm) gauge tram line winding through the park’s picturesque sand dunes, wetlands, and coastal scenery to Whareroa Beach.

Restored heritage trams, primarily dating from the 1920s and 1930s, depart roughly every 30 minutes. A scenic ride takes 20–25 minutes, evoking the experience of early 20th-century commuters.

Unlimited rides are included with admission.

The museum building and tram barns house an impressive collection: operational and static trams, one of Wellington’s original cable cars (with its horse-tram-derived trailer), extensive memorabilia, photographs, books, models from around the world, and interactive exhibits.

You can step into a mock tram cab to “drive” one themselves or watch historic footage in a small cinema. The site also reflects Queen Elizabeth Park’s history, including its World War II role as a U.S. Marine base.

As a I would visit my grandmother in the school holidays, and one of the highlights was being taken for a tram ride.

Open every Saturday and Sunday, plus public holidays (except Christmas Day) from 11am, with the last tram at 4pm. It operates daily from Boxing Day to Wellington Anniversary Day in late January, and on some school holiday weekdays.  

Open Weekends and Public Holiday's

(Run by volunteers)

MacKays Crossing Entrance

Queen Elizabeth Park

Paekakariki

Kapiti Coast