The Best Stops Along Melbourne's Free Tourist Tram

The iconic city circle heritage tram in Melbourne, tram-35 that has been transporting passengers for decades.
The iconic city circle heritage tram in Melbourne, tram-35 that has been transporting passengers for decades. | Photo by Aditya Joshi on Unsplash
Kelly Hawke

Ride a piece of Australia’s heritage via the City Circle tram (route number 35) in Melbourne’s central district. The City Circle tram provides a free and convenient way for tourists and locals to witness Melbourne‘s prominent tourist attractions and major events, while riding on an iconic tram. Hop on!

Tricks of the tram

The City Circle tram is free, however you may want to purchase a Myki Explorer card so you can explore other areas of the city once you’ve travelled on the route 35. trams operate in both a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction every 12 minutes between 10am – 6pm Sunday –Wednesday and 10am – 9pm Thursday – Saturday. To catch the City Circle tram, wait at any marked tram stop along the City Circle tram route.

Melbourne Central

Melbourne Central captures the heart of the city. From stylish boutiques, entertainment, watering holes and restaurants, you’ll get a glimpse of what this buzzing city has to offer. It’s also worth hopping off at the Melbourne Central stop to explore the State Library of Victoria.

Waterfront City, Docklands

Melbourne’s Waterfront City offers fine dining, entertainment and shopping for all those wanting to visit a buzzing tourist precinct. A must-visit is Harbourtown Melbourne, where you can shop til you drop. If you’d like to see the city from above you can jump on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.

Royal Botanic Gardens

Renowned as one of the world’s finest gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens offers a picturesque landscape to enjoy. Discover the rare and beautiful plants and iconic buildings dotted throughout the gardens, located on the banks of the Yarra River.

Old Melbourne Gaol

An iconic destination for those visiting Melbourne, the Old Melbourne Gaol was built in the 1800s. The gaol is full of history and even witnessed the hanging of infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly. For those who like to learn a bit about the history of Melbourne, and it’s criminal system, this is for you.

Princess Theatre

Described as ‘the grand old dame’ of Melbourne’s theatres, the Princess Theatre has a long history of showcasing the best entertainment in the city. It dates back to 1886, but despite its age still hosts some of the best shows that come to town, including the critically acclaimed The Book of Mormon.

Federation Square

Federation Square is a meeting point most Melbournians have frequented. This mixed-use space plays home to some of the cities most popular festivals, including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The area boasts endless restaurants, cafes and bars, usually filled to the brim with locals and tourists.

Melbourne Aquarium

If you’d like to escape the hustle and bustle of Victoria’s capital city then the best place may be under the sea. Jump off at the Melbourne Aquarium stop and you’ll find the home of 10,000 aquatic animals, including one of the world’s largest saltwater crocodiles!

Flinders Quarter

For the art-inspired tourists, Flinders Quarter is the place for you. It’s got Australia’s largest concentration of commercial art galleries and is considered the precinct for creatives. Dust off that felt hat, put on those thick frame spectacles and embrace the creative side of Melbourne. Flinders Quarter is also a stomping ground for foodies and shopaholics for the beautiful bars and boutique fashion outlets that are scattered throughout.
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