With only a few hours to see Melbourne, I decided to use the free tram to see its landmarks and attractions. It is convenient and free! Who doesn’t like free stuff? I can enjoy Melbourne and at the same time have free transportation.
The City Circle Tram service operates within Melbourne’s Central Business District passing major tourist attractions in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions every twelve minutes from 10 am every day. Tourists can use it as a hop-on-hop-off service. It provides an audio commentary on major attractions such as the City Museum, Parliament House, Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium, and the Princess Theatre.
The Clockwise service goes to Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Drive, La Trobe Street, Victoria Street, Nicholson Street, Spring Street, and back to Flinders Street
The Anti-clockwise service goes to Flinders Street, Spring Street, Nicholson Street, Victoria Parade, La Trobe Street, Docklands Drive, Harbour Esplanade, and back to Flinders Street.
The last time I have been in Melbourne is in 2011, and Handel went there in 2013. There might have been changes in their route or stops since then. Visit their website ptv.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 – 800 – 007 for more information.
Here are the landmarks and attractions in each street or stop.
Flinders Street
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium / Immigration Museum /Eureka Tower SkyDeck / Flinders Street Station / Arts Centre Melbourne / St. Paul’s Cathedral / Federation Square
Flinders Street Station
Eureka Tower SkyDeck
Spring Street
Fitzroy Gardens / Treasury Gardens / Old Treasury Building / Parliament House
Parliament House
Nicholson Street & Victoria Parade
Royal Exhibition Building / Melbourne Museum & IMAX Cinema / Carlton Gardens
Royal Exhibition Building
Melbourne Museum
IMAX Cinema
La Trobe Street
State Library of Victoria / Melbourne Central Station/ Victoria Market / Flagstaff Gardens / Flagstaff Station
Docklands Drive
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel / Harbour Town
Harbour Esplanade
Victoria Harbour / Library at the Dock / Etihad Stadium
Where to Stay in Melbourne:
We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne. It is located close to CBD shopping, South Wharf precinct’s restaurants and bars, and is within the free tram zone, making it easy for us to see the city. Book here.