History of Sorrento in the 1870s

History in Sorrento around the 1890s:

In his book, entitled "Tram To Sorrento", A. P. Winzenried tells the story of Mr. George Coppin's role in the establishment of the Sorrento Tramways. The front cover of the book, shows the Continential Hotel, and Stringers Store, with a Tram going up the hill through the Sorrento township towards the Back Beach.

The Sorrento Tramway company was formed on May 18th, 1889 and the first steam locomotive started pulling the tram between the fount and back beaches sometime during 1890.

Steam ferries operated between Melbourne and Sorrento, and the tram took tourists arriving on the ferry from the Front beach, to the Back (ocean) beach, along the main road, which was called Ocean Amphitheatre road.

There was no timetable for the the tram as it was coordinated with the arrival and departure of the ferry.

Tension between the tramway and other road users, and an increased usage of cars reducing the tourist numbers arriving from Melbourne on the ferry combined with reducing passenger numbers eventually resulted in a decision to close the tramways on the Sunday after Easter in 1921.