The Melbourne City Circle Tram Tour (tram route 35) is a fun, convenient and educational way to see some of Melbourne’s main city attractions. The zero-fare tram is the ideal mode of transport for locals and visitors to travel around the Melbourne central business district. Not to be confused with the City Loop tram, the City Circle Tram Tour route stops at many popular Melbourne landmarks.
There is onboard audio commentary providing the history and information about places such as the Melbourne Museum, Federation Square, Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, Flinders Street Station, Princess Theatre, Docklands Waterfront Precinct, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, and the Queen Victoria Market. Since October 2023, the City Circle Tram Tour has operated in a clockwise direction only. It’s a great way to explore the fabulous sights of Melbourne.
The Melbourne City Circle Tram Tour route was opened in 1994 and is serviced by heritage W-class trams decorated in heritage colours of maroon and green with yellow and gold trimmings.
The extended CBD route was funded by the Federal Government’s Building Better Cities program at a cost of $6.4 million. The Victorian State Goverment tipped in to cover the running costs.
In 2003, the route was extended to include Harbour Esplanade and Docklands. Over the coming years, the route would be altered several times due to various city works including an extension in 2009 to include the NewQuay and Waterfront City precincts.
Two welcome additions arrived in 2006, with onboard audio commentary and passenger information displays. City Circle Tram’s operator Yarra Trams has reduced the route and operating hours due to driver shortages. The route now runs only in a clockwise direction at 12-minute intervals between 9:30am and 5:00pm.
There is so much to explore on a Melbourne City Circle Tram Tour. Historic buildings such as the Old Melbourne Gaol, built in the 1800s and famous for the hanging of Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, or the opulent Princess Theatre, hosting shows since 1886.
You can spend hours wandering around Flagstaff gardens with its ancient elm trees and fascinating statues, or hop off the City Circle Tram at the Royal Botanic Gardens, renowned as one of the finest in the world.
You could easily spend a day at Sea Life Melbourne, the largest aquarium of its kind in Victoria or explore the wonderful exhibits at the Melbourne Museum.
It’s well worth strolling around Docklands Waterfront Precinct, a modern, waterfront dining, retail and entertainment hub and home to the fascinating ArtVo Gallery.
While travelling the route the audio commentary onboard give visitors interesting information about the many attractions, landmarks and special places to stop.
Travel on the City Circle Tram is free. You can hop on and off as often as you want. It’s a fun and interesting way to explore Melbourne city and some of its fabulous sights.
The City Circle Tram runs in a clockwise direction and the complete route takes approximately 60 minutes.
To catch the City Circle Tram (route number 35) simply wait at any tram stop along the City Circle Tram route. These stops are marked with a City Circle sign. Once onboard there are easy to understand maps and brochures that highlight the tram route and the city’s many attractions.
In Melbourne CBD’s ‘Free Tram Zone’ all trams are free. The Free Tram Zone is bordered by Spring Street, Flinders Street and La Trobe Street. Routes running along Victoria Street, William Street and Elizabeth Street surrounding Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands area are also in the Free Tram Zone.
Route 35, Melbourne’s City Circle Tram Tour runs along Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Drive, La Trobe Street and Spring Street.
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