Trams around Australia and New Zealand
C.O.T.M.A. (Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia)
www.cotma.org.au
Tramway museums in Australia and New Zealand (Australasia) have their own association. Volunteers from the
various museums exchange technical information, anecdotes, fellowship in good measure, tram parts - even, on occasion, entire trams (usually on loan). C.O.T.M.A. makes representations to government bodies and other agencies. Their website has a compact list of all member museums and describes the Association's activities.
Pictured: perhaps the very spirit of COTMA - a Sydney steam tram, immaculately restored and operational in Auckland's Museum of Trnasport and Technology.
ADELAIDE, South Australia
Australian Electric Transport Museum located at St Kilda.
http://www.railpage.org.au/aetmsa/
With a 2 km line, this museum boasts almost all tram types used in Adelaide and the range of trolley buses. Adelaide was unusual in that it retained horse trams for a longer than usual period. One tramline remains in normal service on mainly reserved track to the beachside suburb of Glenelg.
AUCKLAND, N.Z.
Western Springs Tramway - part of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
http://www.motat.org.nz
Enjoying a high level of government support this Museum encompasses a wide range of transport modes, trams forming a key part with a service running from the Museum to the Zoo. Auckland boasted an extensive network of trams, much of which was replaced by trolleybuses for many years. See picture, above.
BALLARAT, Victoria
Ballarat Tramway Museum
http://www.btm.org.au/
Both Ballarat and Bendigo were prosperous goldfields cities in the 1800s and electric trams were commenced by the power supply company. The Museum enjoys trackage over public streets and in the Botanical Gardens beside Lake Wendouree with a volunteer staff.
BENDIGO, Vic.
The Bendigo Trust
http://www.bendigotramways.com/
Bendigo's heritage tram route is 4.2 km long and,using local streets, takes in significant gold mining attractions. The museum is part of a trust which tours display activities around the mine's old workings. The tram service includes the famous "Bendigo Talking Tram" which has become an essential attraction for the city's many tourists.
BRISBANE, Queensland.
Brisbane Tramway Museum
http://www.brisbanetramwaymuseum.org/
Brisbane once boasted an extensive network of tramlines and and an impressive fleet of trams plus some trolleybus routes. Of the Australasian cities to lose its trams, its system survived the longest.You can enjoy a look and a ride on some of this diverse collection in a bushland setting at Ferny Grove to the north of Brisbane.
BYLANDS, Vic.
Tramway Museum Society of Victoria
http://www.tramway.org.au/
This Museum is committed to preserving and operating Victoria's tramway heritage including ephemera and technical items of historical interest.. It has a kilometre of operating track and a range of trams from Victorian systems.
CHRISTCHURCH, N.Z.
Christchurch Tramway
http://www.tram.co.nz
The gracious city of Christchurch is fortunate in having a tourist tram service in its central streets, one of its tram being an air-conditioned, colonial style restaurant tram (restored at the Sydney Tramway Museum). You need to book - even for the breakfast sitting which begins at 7.30 a.m. This operation is not one of our usual all volunteer efforts: it's a professional group.
Tramway Historical Society.
http://www.geocities.com/tramwaynz/
Christchurch does have an all volunteer tramway group. Christchurch's entire electric system was scrapped. Not long afterwards.beginning with a remnant Kitson steam motor and a horse tram, restoration commenced. When work on electric trams began, bodies were recovered,but the electrics and mechanicals had to be garnered
from everywhere. Today, at Ferrymead, you can ride an an electric, a steam hauled or horse powered tram and view some very early wooden bodied trolley buses.You can even hold your wedding reception there!
HADDON, Vic.
Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association
http://www.railpage.org.au/mtpa/
With a huge "heritage" system so near at hand in Melbourne, it's no surprise that an enthusiastic preservation movement exists nearby. The Association does not run regular rides, but they will welcome your attention and a visit. Details are on their part of the Railpage website.
HOBART, Tas.
Tasmanian Transport Museum Society
http://www.railtasmania.com/ttms/index.php
Tasmania was the only Australian state to operate double deck trams on a fleet basis. One is proudly on display along with two single deck cars. Sourcing its power from Tasmania's hydro electric supply, Hobart's extensive trolley bus system survived much longer - two examples are on view. Rides, here are on the Society's trains. Australia's island state is the only one to have lost regular passenger trains, hence an understandable emphasis on railway operation.
LAUNCESTON, Tas.
Launceston Tramway Museum
Like its state capital, listed above, Launceston enjoyed a tram network with 26 single truck trams, until late in its tram era when three handsome bogie cars, like 29, were built. The last of these was recovered and restored early in the life of a small Society. They are open every Saturday, now have some trackage, an excellent historical display and are working on some of the earlier single truck fleet.
MELBOURNE, Vic.
Melbourne trams
http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/0/C7E281CCFFC65BFC4A256AE6000FE6BF
Melbourne is tramway heaven! With a fleet ranging from those wonderful W class cars ranging to the latest low floor segmented trams, one can spend days, touring a delightful city on one's favourite mode of travel. This is the site for the Victorian Department of Infrastructure who regulate trams in Melbourne... Their website has a tram section and it's a mine of information. This Department has assisted the heritage movement well beyond Melbourne ... and they actually have a tram museum.
Melbourne Tram Museum
http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/27006F1A029DD7EACA256D8A001EA9D3The museum is open on the second Saturday of every month from 1 pm to 5 pm. It is housed in the old Hawthorn Tram Depot. Admission is by donation.
Yarra Trams
http://www.yarratrams.com.au/
The operators of Melbourne's tram system. They demonstrate a high level of customer focus which tram-oriented tourists will experience on their visit.
Metlink
http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/
The timetable search site for Melbourne's public transport.
PERTH, Western Australia.
Perth Electric Tramway Society.
http://www.pets.org.au
Perth's tramway museum represents the three tramway systems of that state, Perth, its port city, Fremantle and large mining city, Kalgoorlie. A remote mining town, Leonora, proudly displays its own tram. Perth's museum is the key feature of Whiteman Park in the upper Swan Valley. An interesting layout is home to a growing and beautifully restored fleet. The website is particularly informative.
PORTLAND, Vic.
Portland Cable Trams
http://www.portlandcabletrams.com.au/
Portland is situated along the coast road between Melbourne and Adelaide. A cable tram provides a sightseeing tour of the local attractions. A most innovative website!
VALLEY HEIGHTS, Blue Mountains, N.S.W.
Valley Heights Steam Tram & Railway Preservation Society. 
This is the museum which is home to Sydney's Sydney Steam Motor 103A which, just recently, has been successfully restored following a disastrous fire at its former home in Parramatta Park some years ago. This has been a magnificent achievement. Valley Heights
is the Blue Mountains Division of the NSW Rail Transport Museum.and
preserves depot buildings and the rail heritage of the Blue Mountains.
Sydney developed a substantial steam hauled system in the 1880s and '90s prior to the gradual introduction of electric trams
VICTOR HARBOR, S.A.
Victor Harbor Horse-Drawn Tramway
http://www.victor.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=400
Truly a flash-back to times past, especially relevant to South Australian as Adelaide once boasted a system of horse drawn trams of short routes. Visitors can experience a Clydesdale powered double deck heritage tram conveying them across the causeway to Granite Island.
WELLINGTON, N.Z.
Wellington Tramway Museum
http://www.wellingtontrams.org.nz/
Wellington's unique urban geography has ensured that public transport has remained a strong force - unique these days in New Zealand. Its narrow streets and winding roads saw even narrower trams clambering over hills and disappearing into exclusive reserved tunnels. It is through Wellington's museum at Queen Elizabeth Park on the Kapiti Coast that we can experience its trams, riding two kilometres from McKay's Crossing to the Whareroa Beach Picnic area. Visitors can also see various trams, including one of the earlier cable trams and a magnificent photographic display which captures the golden age when trams ruled in Wellington.
Other worthwhile websites
Sydney Bus Museum
http://www.busandtruckmuseum.org.au/
Until recently known as the Sydney Bus and Truck Museum, this body works very closely with the Sydney Tram Museum and there is a significant overlapping membership. After a period of uncertainty, its use of the old Tempe Tram Depot has been extended. Visitors will be delighted with the huge range of vehicles on view.
Trams of Australia
http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/
The tram section of the expansive Railpage site covers trams all over
Australia, both past and present. A good source of information for tram
enthusiasts regarding running times and museum collections.
Tramway and Trolleybus Images
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/1602/Trams.htm
Despite its URL, this site is based in Melbourne and contains images of
trams mainly from Victoria but also includes other cities in Australia
and other countries.
Tram WebRing
http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=tram&id=48&hub
This web ring contains information about trams all over the world.
Australian Model Railway Association NSW Branch Inc.
http://www.amransw.asn.au
Though not a tramway organisation, AMRA has affiliations with the Museum and many common members.
Updated on 6th October, 2009