About

The Museum was formed in 1971 to preserve the operation style of the SEC operated Ballarat tramway system and the tramcars that were in use at the time. Trams are operated along a public road on an original section of the track, using authentic methods of operation such as conductors, paper tickets, uniforms, tram stops, and even original style paperwork. Our Tram Museum and depot, at the south end of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, displays some of the tramcar collection, presentations with photographs, videos, tramway memorabilia, trammie stories, souvenirs and book shop. The Museum is open for visitors from 11am on operating days A self-guided tour is possible or when volunteers are available; a formal guided tour. Check our website for opening dates and times.

Our collection

The collection focus is the history of Ballarat's passenger tramways, its people, equipment, development and operation in relation to the history of Ballarat and the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The date range is 1887 to present. The collection consists of tramcars, tramway equipment and infrastructure, photographs, documentation and materials associated with the operation of the tramway, its personnel and in particular those who operated the system - the trammies.

Themes: Connecting Victorians by transport and communications, Building towns, cities and the garden state, Building community life