Trams in Ballarat

Ballarat Tramways

Ballarat Tram No.26 in the Wendouree Depot
Operation
Locale	Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Ballarat Tramway Company era: 1887 (1887)–1902 (1902) Operator(s) Ballarat Tramway Company Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Propulsion system(s) Horse Depot(s) Gillies Street Track length (total) 6
Electric Supply Company of Victoria era: 1902 (1902)–1934 (1934) Operator(s) Electric Supply Company of Victoria Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Propulsion system(s) Electricity
SECV era: 1934 (1934)–1971 (1971) Operator(s) State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Propulsion system(s) Electric
Ballarat Tramway Museum era: February 1, 1975 (1975-02-01)–Present (Present) Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Track length (total) 0.85

Trams in Ballarat were first used for public transport in 1887. They ceased to operate as a means of public transport in 1971, but a section continues to be operated today as a tourist attraction.

At its peak in 1937, the Ballarat tramway network was the largest in Australia operating outside one of the capital cities, with 7 principle routes and more than 20 kilometres of track.

Most of the network was closed and replaced with buses on 19 September 1971 after which the Ballarat Tramway Museum preserved a single electrified track along Wendouree Parade at Lake Wendouree to operate a tourist service. From its depot adjacent to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the museum operates its historic collection of electric trams from around Australia, including some that were operated on the original Ballarat system.

In an 1884 council meeting, the City of Ballaarat decided on the establishment of a tramway to meet the growing city's transport needs and a Tramway Committee was formed.

Tenders were called in 1886 to operate a tramway in the city. The successful tenderer was Mr. Thompson, of Adelaide who proposed a horse drawn system. He was granted a 30-year licence for the sum of £1575 per annum, after which the system would be handed to the council. Provision was to be made in future for the rolling stock being powered by other means.

Thompson and business partner Moore formed the Ballarat Tramway Company which built and promoted the tramway. The first line was opened at a banquet in the Botanical Gardens on 26 December 1887. The six mile (9.7 km) standard gauge line ran from Sturt Street to the gardens and around Lake Wendouree. The rolling stock consisted of double-decker trams built in Adelaide, each drawn by multiple horses. The company constructed and operated a maintenance facility north of the gardens.

The tramway was immediately popular and it was not long before work began on extensions for the southern branch line to the town of Sebastopol via Skipton Street Redan and Albert Street, and two northern branch lines to service the city's suburbs along Drummond Street North and Soldiers Hill.