More than twenty trams in a small, four-track depot makes for a fairly densely-packed space with only small (but informative) signs describing each item. The quality and comprehensiveness of the collection, however, covering a remarkable selection of trams from 1885 to 1973 - most still operational and restored to like-new condition - more than makes up for whatever the museum might lack in space and interpretive displays. Be sure not to miss the driver training section, still in its original location in a side room and featuring several contemporary training devices, including a full-size "cut-away" training tram, built from parts salvaged from two trams damaged beyond repair in road accidents. For those interested in a detailed history of the exhibits a guided tour is recommended. The guide who showed me around was a former tram driver and evidently extensively involved in the creation of the museum and restoration of the collection. Although the tour was definitely aimed at enthusiasts and at times a little dry, my guide's extensive, detailed knowledge of and enthusiasm for the history of Melbourne trams made for a very worthwhile hour+ meander up and down the aisles and on and off the trams.

The museum was brilliant, definitely worth a visit. They have a large number of trams, ranging from the very earliest cable trams all the way through to ones retired in the early 2000s. The staff are friendly and informative, and the entire experience is just a gold coin donation! Absolutely packed full of history, you can climb on board every single one, play with the bells, sit at the controls and change the destination dials. All housed within the old Hawthorn Tram depot, which is a gorgeous building. I would highly recommend it for anyone who loves Melbourne’s history or a good piece of engineering, as well as for families looking for somewhere to take their kids. Unfortunately it is only open every second Saturday, so make sure you check their website before you go, but I’ll definitely be going back, there was too much to learn all in one day!

The Tram Museum is an absolute institution. I've been meaning to come for years, but never managed to make it to an open day. Well, I took my sons (4 and 6) on the weekend and we loved it! There is an incredible range of trams (more than I could have guessed) which all differ in big and small ways. The detailing and craftsmanship on the older models is truly impressive. To a certain degree, they were also more user friendly and comfortable than modern versions. In sum, this is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon, with outstanding volunteers and a great window into the past. It's a gold coin donation to enter, but keep it going with a generous note if you can. Or spend it up big in the gift shop. Can't recommend enough!

What can I say other than WOW I found out about this place recently and couldn’t wait to see it (only open certain Saturdays and Wednesday) The display of Trams and memorabilia is fantastic. I reminisced and learned a lot and got to sit on a cable tram In sure my dad would have been on. The tour guide (Kevin) was so knowledgeable and as he had driven trams had a lot of good tales to tell. I learned a lot. Another guide (Frank) helped us later with some other info. Tour guides are very friendly and knowledgeable. I can’t wait to go back. This should be a main MELBOURNE Tourist attraction Well done to all the volunteers

The Melbourne Tram Museum displays around twenty full-size trams so I can understand that space can be limited. They make it up with the variety of trams that operated in Melbourne from 1885 to 1973. There are rooms other than the tram shed that displays maquettes and tram memorabilias, as well as the tram driver training section. Make sure you ask their very helpful volunteers to explain how the training system work for a unique insight into tram driving and a general overview of how tram works. Despite its rather tight space, if you can squeeze around there are more than a few great photo opportunities.

A hidden gem of a museum - for locals and visitors alike. A huge collection of vintage and historic trams are housed in a heritage listed tram depot and operated by a small team of enthusiasts. You are free to explore the trams or have a guided tour. It is amazing how quickly the kids (and some adults) start playing on the bells. There are additional displays of how trams and the tram network actually work, and on trams during war time. The story of Melbourne is wrapped in the tram network, and the story of our tram network is unfolded here.

The museum is very open, allowing visitors to wander through the entirety of most trams, including seeing the drivers cabs. The training room is a must see. I learnt a lot about many aspects of the trams, including how the electrical systems work within the tram (and how each notch on the control lever connected to different sets of relays and resistors. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great place to take the kids . It takes a total of about 20-30 mins to walk around and explore all the trams . There’s activities to count the wheels and find things around the trams after which kids are awarded very old original coins . It’s near the city so you can always go there first and then drive to the city to have some lunch or dinner or just walk around and enjoy the weather.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

A great place to visit with a wheels enthusiast children. We visited on a rainy day, but it didn’t matter because everything was fully covered in a shed. Bonus! The parking was a little confusing as it wasn’t at the same venue, next door. We had a great time looking at all the trams and the volunteers came around and gave us interesting facts as well as some souvenirs. It’s free to enter but there is a gift shop so you can contribute.

Great, will sum up this museum. One issue I would raise with the organisers, I know they are volunteers, however, it needs to be open as many weekends as possible and not the present arrangements. I also contacted a Melbourne tourist information centre about weekend opening and the person who responded to my question had never heard of the museum. Great museum, enthusiastic volunteers, poor marketing.
Reservation recommended
No

Great day out for the young ones and young at heart. We went on every tram to pull passenger bell and spam the conductor bell. Volunteers are super nice. The tour by Claus was very informative and insightful. Entry is by gold coin donation. Plan your trip ahead as they don't open all the time.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
No

Fabulous fun climbing over all the historical trams. The depo is 101 years old so even the building has lots of history. It is open twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. (except for december when it is open only once on the 2nd saturday.) Parking is limited but if there is not a function on you can park at the function centre next door, or maybe catch a tram.

A must see for any tram nerd, Melbourne local, or fidgety ND folks. So many things to push, pull, slide, open and close, ring etc. It can be a little on the loud side at times - a few kids running around ringing the bells but there is plenty of space to quietly enjoy the trams too.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This place is beautiful, with all of Melbourne’s historic tram fleet here. It is so cheap to enter (donation) and there is a trove of teams hidden. You are even able to go inside every aspect of it (once kids find the bell, they can’t stop)! Open every second Saturday of the month!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Smaller than expected it was still a really nice outing to have a look at some of the old trams that used to rattle down the tracks. There is some accessibility so some of it can be accessed with wheel chair or if pushing a stroller. This place is run by volunteers and entry is currently by gold coin donation, however I think at least a $5 note is reasonable.

Awesome place! A good display of iconic and heritage trams that used to run on Melbourne's streets. Staff/volunteers are excellent, very helpful and knowledgeable. Easily accessible via Public Transport with regular Tram services from the city, and the Train station is a 5-10 minute walk away. Worth a visit and only costs a donation on entry.

If you're into Melbourne's tram history then this place is a must. 20 or so trams on show and you can walk through them all. I'm nearly 70 and some of these vehicles took me back to my childhood. A gold coin entrance fee is too cheap, worth so much more and was happy to pay extra. Great tour guide and a super gift shop.

This place is amazing if you're into trams or maybe a tourist interested in how Melbournians travelled around through the last century. Donation entry fee, so affordable, you can take photos and board the trams. You will also be supporting this museum which is really important in keeping our Melbourne heritage alive.

Great place to bring the kids to spend an hour or two - driving a tram and ringing the bells. The only thing that could make it better would be if they had a small function room so you can book out for kiddies birthday parties.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
1 hr+
Reservation recommended
No

Amazing. Like walking down corridors of my growing up. Great collection, Connie Kevin is the absolute show stopper. Amazing knowledge of all things rail and tram related. Very grateful for his taking the time to get the kids on a history hunt. Thank you to all of the fabulous volunteers well worth your time.

Amazing!!! Absolutely loved it. Shame I missed the talk but it was still amazing to check out all the old, quality crafted things, some of them from a century ago (or more). It was like stepping back into another world. definitely intend to return, and would really recommend it for young and old. …

Organized a trip with my friends to the museum, only to discover it was closed. Called 5 times with no one answering the phones. It was a very disappointing trip that could have been avoided if the museum opened at the time it states online. There was no public holiday or any reason for it to be closed.

Great place for kids and parents to explore old trams. Run by volunteers and its coin donation for entry but well worth a folding cash donation to help support. Great day out at least for the kids. Small parking lot so you may have to source parking elsewhere nearby otherwise wait until someone leaves.

Great place - if you can visit WITHOUT kids at least once, you're on a winner. That way you can read the copious information they have there, and take your time with all the exhibits. If you do take the kids, they enjoy going onto all the vintage trams and checking out the differences. Recommended!

Great collection of Melbourne's unique and exemplary trams. Very well-staffed by experts who were happy to share their knowledge and moreover encourage the kids. Gets a tiny bit noisy with lots of clanging bells, but if that's the cost of kids being excited about our history then totally worth it.

Only opens at certain times. But it’s fun place to visit to know the history of Melbourne tram network. Lots of display trams they are still working. I think this place opens for open museum week during the winter. Also some people feel nostalgia to see the old ticketing systems and trams.

Amazing experience.. Well preserved trams and one with some interests in trams engineering... can go to engine room to witness how team works in details... Friendly volunteers from museum would give you brief history of Trams since beginning.... Every month 2 and 4 th Saturday it is open

I went to the Melbourne Tram Museum during open day and it was amazing! It's a good place to learn the history of Melbourne Tram and the volunteer are so friendly and helpful. Also it's a children friendly place and I saw many family bring their children here. Highly recommend. More

A fantastic spot to go on a rainy day in Melbourne. A broad range of historical trams you can climb aboard and even take the wheel. Highly recommended destination for parents looking to entertain the kids. Staff and volunteers are immensely kind and considerate. My kids loved it.

Took lots of photo's of the trams. Being a interstate visiter from South Australia i was very impressed with the beautifully restored trams on display. Open for the pubilc to climb on board to feel the history of each tram. One place I'm going to revisit again next year.

At Tram museum, not many people know about this place, I encourage as many people as possible to visit this place. Especially if you want to know about the history of the Trams, that we have had in Melbourne. From cable Trams, to the latest. I highly recommend it.

This is a gem! Walk inside trams that have been operating in Melbourne nearly since the beginning. Melbourne has the world's biggest tram network. I think there were more than 20 trams displayed. I really enjoyed it, you can walk in between and into each coach.

My partner and I had such a great time experiencing the historical trams of Melbourne. The tour was really good and I learned a lot of fun and interesting facts!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
No

Great place for all ages, a fine collection of trams from right through Melbourne's past. The volunteers are all knowledgeable and passonate. Gold coin donation to get in, parking can be tough, but there is usually some in the surrounding streets

Highly recommended, take yourself on the journey of the history of trams. It is only open fortnightly Saturdays, so check the day before planning your visit.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Lived in Melbourne 9 years, worked right next door to the Tram Museum for 2 years but still never knew it existed until I read about it. Went on a guided tour run by volunteers and our tour guide Claus was very knowledgeable. Learned heaps!

A great collection of old trams. Most of the trams you can climb on board, sit as the driver (some trams you can even ring the bell to ding at pedestrians) or a passenger and get nostalgic about the good old days when there were conductors.

Such a great museum. The 2 and 4 year old loved it. You're able to climb into all the lovingly restored trams, pretend to drive and ding all the bells. The volunteers were lovely and only a gold coin donation for entry! Highly recommended

A time from when there were conductors and before then Yesteryear before your eyes and the kids are entertained for hours all for a gold coin donation
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Fantastic. Lovely people, about 20 trams you can climb aboard, even an old cable tram that used to run in Melbourne I gather. Had a wonderful time.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great place to take kids of any age up to 97. Wonderful volunteers maintain this former depot full of different classes and ages of Melbourne tram. What's more, you can stand or sit in many of the drivers' seats and ding the bell.

Undercover and lots of trams to see. Kids love dinging the tram bells... every bell on every tram. Maybe could benefit from a little more interactivity but it is a museum after all. Nice way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday

Four years ago I was fascinated by the trams 'lost in time' and their history. Also the history of lost tram routes and their network.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Was a great little trip along the lake .. awesome fun and great customer service who are all volunteers.. great job guys Thank - YOU! :)
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great experience for the kids. Melbourne iconic trams on display and for kids to learn about the tram history. Gold coin donations.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Wow fantastic day felt like a little boy wanting to be a tram driver again great musem great staff recommend family fun or individuals who need to feel there tram dream thankyou to all who volunteer at the museum Roy

This place is the greatest! Excellent venue and staff and displays. What's not to love? Check for opening hours, mostly weekends.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

I appriciate they still keep those old tram. Its not big as I thought but can see each era's tram. and the volanteer staff Geoff is very knowledgeble. I learnt a lot and the history of tram was very interesting.

Great fun! Gold coin donation for entry, knowledgeable volunteers enthusiastic to share, wonderfully maintained old trams.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great display with lots of old trams. Some are in disrepair with parts missing. Not a lot of information on each tram but a detailed room about the history of trams in Melbourne. Parking is terrible.

Lovely place to bring your kids they will enjoy it. Remember to bring a gold coin donation. Lots of different types of trams for the kids to get on
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

It was amazing and we talked to a volunteer who knew so much about trams and shared lots of information with us.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Awesome place for tram lovers. Kids enjoy it a lot, especially when they get to ring the bell.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

A good place to head for a few hours on their open days, for a gold coin you get to take a look around at Melbourne heritage trams. Learn their past and jump inside ring the gong.

A really great place I had no idea even existed. My young son loved it here and it really is amazing seeing so many old teams in such amazing condition, and it's only $2 entry!

Fabulous place to learn and remember. Great hands on place for kids, just watch out for the uneven surfaces. Thank you so much to the wonderful passionate valuable volunteers.

Fantastic collection of old tramcars, a shame that victrack and Yarra Trams won't let them out for special occasions especially since they are reputed to be fully operational.

Such a great place. Fun for children (and adults) to climb into the old trams. The staff are very passionate and have a great knowledge of the slice of Melbourne's history.

Is a great way to spend time on the Second or 4th Saturday of each month. Great value with gold coin entry, always staff/volunteers to assist with and additional questions.

Friendly staff, nice museum full of history about trams, the place is well maintained. Recommended experience for families. Parking may be kind of painful in that area.

Great place too learn more about the histories on trams in Melbourne. Volunteers ex conductors provided very insightful explanation which added more to the experience.

What a wonderful place for the imagination of a child to be set free. My son loves 'driving his fav trams and dropping off his passengers. Helpful and dedicated staff

Such a beautiful and informative place for tram lovers! Went here on a date with my boyfriend and it was so much fun. Definitely give it a go when it opens up again!

This place is great. You can climb over all the trans and the staff are great!!!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great place to know more about the tram history for locals and visitors . All trams displayed in the museum are well-maintained and staff are friendly to explain .

No bad for gold coin entrance. Missed the stimulation practice though. Overall great place for kids above 6 yrs old to have fun not wheelchair friendly though.

Thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Went to a book launch. Met and chatted to some very interesting people. Loved checking out the beautiful historic trams.

For the cost of a gold coin, you get to touch and feel real pieces of Melbourne's history. All trams meticulously and lovingly restored and maintained.

Very interesting, I didnt think I would enjoy it as much as I did and we will go back. The kids loved going from tram to tram. A lot to see and do.

Great place! super knowledgeable staff, you can tell they love to share everything they know about old times with those beautiful trains . …

Excellent! Well set up and the volunteers are friendly and happy to answer any questions. Kids seemed to all love it being quite the adventure.

Terrific place to visit. Highly informative and enjoyable.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

It’s fun and educational. Kids enjoyed the place very much. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend for parents with kids x

This is great piece of the history of trams fun and engaging for kids. Melbourne very lucky to have passionate volunteers working there!

Can't beat the price for a fun time running in and out of trams, playing with the controls, and learning a bit about how a tram works.

Kids love it and only a gold coin donation...
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Really awesome display of trams!! Loved it
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

It'd better then you would think. A gold coin "donation" let's you mess around with 20 trams and there are guide there as well

A great part of Melbourne's history. Climb in and around all the old trams in a former terminus. A terrific gem of a museum..

Very kind and informative staff
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Would recommend it. Highly underrated. Great for kids and adults they're great with just letting the kids get in and play

Awesome, kids loved playing with everything, fantastic trams and friendly volunteers everywhere with interesting stories

Great museum. Needs some interpretive material. Big collection of Melbourne's tramway history. Well worth a visit.

This is an excellent museum with very nice well restored trams. Good entertainment in my opinion. Nice and quiet.

Check website for opening days. Great for young kids and those of any age that like history. Very friendly staff.

A very intetactive environment for those that are able to climb on old trams .. Fun, informative and historic ..

Excellent Melbourne tram collection in a heritage tramways building; friendly, knowledgeable volunteers. More

My son loved the museum a lot and he even tried every single tram in the museum that was displayed. LOL

Had a great time, large interesting collection kids loved it all, a real piece of Melbourne history

Fantastic place for kids and adults. Very Informative about Melbournes history specially trams

Amazing
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The oldest tram is a piece of treasure. Must see if you are fancy of the antique design.

Wow what an amazing experience to see all of Melbourne’s old trams! Great for the kids!

The kids loved it, and so did we. It's a great place, pity it's open only on Saturdays.

I loved this place. The personal is very friendly and the tours are very interesting.

lovely place to see all the past trams, have a awesome adventure with the kids

Good place to see some of Melbourne's history in the Public Transport Industry

Great display of Melb heritage trams and all under cover. Well worth a visit.

Really well put together. Surprisingly interesting, actually. Great for kids.

Really excellent museum of Melbourne's transport. Shame it has to be static.