City Circle Tram: A Free Journey Through Melbourne’s CBD
Take a delightful trip through the heart of Melbourne aboard the iconic City Circle Tram, an intriguing relic of Melbourne’s tramway history.
Regrettably, the audio commentary is often difficult to hear over the rattle of the heritage tram, however regardless of this, we enjoyed a blend of history, convenience, and charm on this free Melbourne tram.
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>> Head straight to our personal tidbits for City Circle Tram
City Circle Tourist Tram Melbourne
As part of the oldest continually operating tram system in the world, the City Loop Tram takes passengers around Melbourne’s CBD with a short leg out to the Docklands.
Refurbished to preserve their historic beauty, these iconic heritage W-class trams travel amongst the everyday metro trams. They stand out with distinctive green or burgundy and gold livery, making them easily recognisable.
With so many great ways to explore the city on foot, we welcome the bonus of giving our legs a rest!
The wheels scream, metal on metal, as the old W-class turns a corner and, immediately, you are reminded of bygone days… the smell of the electric motors, the connie punching your ticket, the sound of sand gripping under the wheels as the brakes are applied… are some of my memories, all aroused by today’s trip on the City Circle Tram.
These trams, built in the years between the 1st and 2nd World Wars, have probably travelled millions of kilometres. What stories they could tell and you can still ride them today, for free, on a circuit around the CBD and to Docklands.
Despite the tourist commentary being almost impossible to hear, the trip is worth it just to relive, or enjoy for the first time, the experience.
One of the things that I’m continually amazed at on this Seniors-in-Melbourne adventure is the skyline. The buildings and architecture that seem to have popped up in Melbourne attract my open-mouthed gaze around every corner.
I say popped up but it’s been about 40 years since I’ve had the inclination to explore Melbourne, so a lot has changed.
The change was gobsmackingly apparent to me when viewed from the City Circle Tram as it rattled through the Docklands precinct. What I remember as a monotonous expanse of warehouses is now a bustling bevy of apartments, retail outlets and offices. Amazing...
– Chris
Guided Audio Commentary
As the tram rattles along its route, passengers are treated to a fascinating glimpse into Melbourne’s past. Although hard to hear most of the time, the onboard audio commentary is meant to provide informative tidbits about each landmark it passes.
We couldn’t help but think what an outstanding difference an upgrade to the audio system would make.
Navigating the Tram System
For first-time riders, navigating Melbourne’s tram system may seem daunting, however, the trams are incredibly user-friendly. Due to the age and heritage of the City Circle Trams, unfortunately they are not wheelchair accessible. There are 2 – 3 large steps with handrails to get up into these trams.
To experience the free City Circle (number 35), simply board at any designated stop along the route, which are clearly marked. It’s free for all passengers, so no ticket or booking is required.
Operating from 10 am to 6 pm daily with trams running every 12 minutes, so there’s no need to stress about schedules. Just hop aboard and enjoy the ride!
View the 35 City Circle tram timetable and map here.
Our day started with a quick coffee on Degraves St, which brought back a few memories of my first job after leaving school at 15 years of age. Everybody left their offices at 5 pm and hordes of people would all walk together in a crowd towards Flinders Street Station. I would love to walk down the lanes, including Degraves St.
We boarded the free tram which again brought some pleasant recognition of a few old buildings and wonder at a lot of new buildings. This tram trip was very interesting but the commentary was not so good as it was hard to hear over the noisy old tram.
-Terrie
Exploring Melbourne’s Iconic Landmarks
From the elegant Victorian-era buildings of Collins Street to the vibrant atmosphere of Flinders Street Station, there is plenty to see and do.
If you wanted to, you could spend an entire day hopping on and off the City Circle Tram, which conveniently has information leaflets available onboard, complete with a map of the CBD. Alternatively, staying seated for an entire round-trip allows you to take in the sights, and takes approximately one hour.
10 Melbourne landmarks to visit using the City Circle Tram
- Flinders Street Station: Iconic train station known for its distinctive yellow facade and bustling atmosphere.
- Federation Square: Cultural precinct featuring galleries, restaurants, and more including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Koorie Heritage Trust and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
- Parliament House: Grand neoclassical building housing the Parliament of Victoria, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
- Degraves Street: Whether for coffee, lunch, or boutique shopping, a stop at one of the first official Melbourne laneways is a must.
- Melbourne Museum: Largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing cultural and natural history exhibits, including the iconic Phar Lap exhibit.
- State Library Victoria: Historic library with a stunning domed reading room and extensive collections of books, manuscripts, and artworks.
- Queen Victoria Market: Bustling open-air market offering a vast array of fresh produce, gourmet delicacies, clothing, and souvenirs.
- Flagstaff Gardens: Melbourne’s oldest park, providing a peaceful oasis with lush lawns, walking paths, and historic monuments.
- Docklands: Modern waterfront precinct with shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreational attractions, including ArtVo.
- Southbank Promenade: Riverside promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and cultural venues, offering stunning views of the Yarra River and city skyline.
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Tidbits for your City Circle Tram experience
- The City Circle Tram operates from 10 am to 6 pm daily;
- It’s free to hop on and off at any point along the route, no ticket is required;
- There are 2 – 3 large steps with handrails to get up into the tram;
- The heritage trams are rattly and rickety; Hold on to the rails if you’re standing while the tram is moving;
- One entire loop takes approximately 60 minutes;
- Trams run every 12 minutes;
- Note that the audio commentary cannot be heard in various spots due to the rattle of the tram;
- Avoid peak times: Being on the inner city tram grid, this tourist tram often gets overcrowded around 5 pm;
- Brochures and maps are available onboard;
- The City Circle Tram is not wheelchair accessible;
- View the tram timetable and map here.
I hope this post has inspired you to get out and explore Melbourne! Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to find out more ways to discover (or rediscover) the joy of exploring Melbourne.
