Ballarat tramway upgrades ready to roll as museum celebrates its half-century

Visitors will enjoy an even better experience when embarking on the Ballarat Tramway Museum’s scenic tours, with new tram track upgrades now complete thanks to support from the Australian and Victorian governments.

Passengers can now experience a safer and more comfortable tram ride with 600 metres of new tram tracks installed from the Museum’s junction to Zoo Drive, near Ballarat’s scenic Lake Wendouree.

Generating 30 construction jobs the project forms one of three stages of broader upgrades to replace tracks dating back to 1905.

The project is backed by a $1.2 million investment from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, matched with funding from the Victorian Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Founded in 1961, the Museum will be holding a community day (2 October) to celebrate its 50th anniversary, delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will run from 10am to 6:30pm at South Gardens Reserve, Lake Wendouree.

The public will have the opportunity to see inside the new museum, ride trams along the freshly re-laid mainline track, and check out other vintage transport vehicles.

The event program is available at btm.org.au.

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister and Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King:

“The Ballarat Tramway Museum draws over 30,000 visitors each year. This upgrade will ensure that the Museum will continue to be able to provide a memorable experience for visitors for many years to come, building on a half century of operation being celebrated this weekend.

“This project is a great example of what the LRCI Program is all about – supporting locals to deliver projects with a great importance to the community.

“The Ballarat Tramway Museum plays such an important role in preserving our history. This upgrade will bring more people to the Museum and that is great news for our local economy.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing:

“The Ballarat Tramway Museum preserves an iconic Australian era and these track upgrades ensure visitors will get to experience a ride back in time for many more years.

“Our support for the Ballarat Tramway Museum has revitalised a key piece of history in regional Victoria that will continue to stimulate Ballarat’s local economy.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison:

“The Ballarat Tramway Museum is an iconic landmark for our city and these upgrades will ensure it remains that way.”