| Melbourne’s
trams give the city a distinctive character and provide a pleasant,
environmentally friendly way of getting around: the City Circle is
particularly convenient, and free. Trams run down the centre of the road,
and stops are signposted; they often have central islands where you can
wait, but if not, take care crossing the road. It can be uncomfortable
waiting in the middle of a busy road, especially for a woman alone at
night – you may feel less vulnerable waiting on the footpath, where
there’s often a shelter anyway. Some trams can be boarded only at the
front; others also have middle doors.
Melbourne’s
vintage trams
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| Many
of the trams traversing Melbourne’s streets on a daily basis are vintage
wooden ones. None is quite as old as the system, which dates from 1885,
but some from the 1930s are still in use, and one dates from 1929. On
Sunday between about 10am and 4.30pm restored brown vintage trams run
between Elizabeth Street and the Zoo. The vintage City Circle trams
run free of charge in a loop along Flinders Street, Spring Street, Latrobe
Street and Spencer Street (daily except Christmas Day and Good Friday,
every 10min between 10am and 6pm).
The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant (bookings
tel 03/9696 4000) is a converted 1927 tram offering traditional silver and
white linen restaurant service as you trundle around Melbourne.
Operating
daily, the restaurant (non-smoking) offers a three-course early dinner
(5.45–7.15pm; $60) and a five-course dinner ($95 Fri & Sat, $85
other nights), plus a four-course lunch (Sun 1–3pm and other days
subject to demand; $70), All drinks are included. Book as early as
possible – Friday and Saturday evenings can be booked up two months in
advance. |
