Spring is a glorious time to be in Bendigo with gardens in bloom and an enticing program of events. But one local attraction wins the hearts of visitors and locals at any time of year and that’s the city’s Vintage Talking Tram, a quaint experience loved by people of all ages.
With its pre-recorded commentary, the tram is a great introduction to this Central Victorian town that boomed with the discovery of gold, becoming one of the world’s richest cities by the 1880s. The legacy of the Gold Rush is a rich collection of Victorian-era buildings and a tramway that provided public transport to Bendigo citizens for more than 80 years.
An estimated 20,000 people gathered to say an emotional farewell when the tramway closed as a commuter service in 1972, but already there were moves underway to preserve it as a tourist attraction.
A trust was established to ensure its preservation and subsequently manage it. Unlike in many cities where the infrastructure was quickly ripped up, in Bendigo the tracks, trams and depot were left in such a manner that they offer a rare and valuable picture of the past.
As Australia’s oldest operating Tram Depot, it gladdens the hearts of history buffs, transport enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys the simple charms of yesteryear. On a cold and wet July day, our spirits were lifted immeasurably as we rolled gently through the city streets on a dear old tram with open windows and polished wooden seats, while we listened to tales about the landmarks and monuments we passed by.
The weather being what it was, we made only one stop, at the Central Deborah Gold Mine. Almost a thousand kilos of gold were extracted from here in the mid to late 1900s, and you can still see the original buildings and equipment, along with a replica of the jaw-dropping ‘Hand of Faith’ gold nugget.
Entry to the Central Deborah Gold Mine (surface only) is included in the cost of the Talking Tram ticket. Underground tours are available but you’ll need to pay extra for that. For our party, which included one little person under the age of 3 (the minimum age for the underground tour), we were more than content with the self-guided surface tour.
What fun it was panning for gold! There are still flecks of gold to be found although the little bag we came away with contains more sand than gold, I’d say. The flecks are so small they are most likely only gold in our imagination. But still it was fun, and even 5-year-old Harry earnestly tried to master the panning technique in the hope that a win was just around the corner.
The tram travels in a loop that takes just under an hour to complete, but as the ticket is valid for the whole day, you can hop on and off at one of six stops to shop, dine, have a coffee or enjoy some of the local attractions. You can take your doggy friend on board too. The website even has a list of dog-friendly parks, attractions and cafés that are nearby.
We boarded at Tram Stop No 3 where the Bendigo Tram café, depot and museum are located, and where we had no trouble finding a spot to park our car. The café is such a treat as you can sit inside a meticulously refurbished green and cream 1916 N-Class Tram to enjoy a light meal or the café’s famous scones, jam and cream. Seating inside the tram has loads of atmosphere but is, let’s just say, very intimate. There’s plenty of alfresco seating on the deck if you need more space.
When we visited in July, the tram was filled with artificial blooms in a riot of colours, in a nod to the Frida Kahlo exhibition that was showing at the Bendigo Art Gallery. With the decorations continuing as the region embraces Bendigo Bloom, the city’s annual program of spring events, the café is the perfect spot for an Instagram selfie.
Take some time out to do a self-guided tour of the Tram Depot and to visit the adjacent museum which has memorabilia and photos expanding on the tramway’s 135-year history. Entry to the museum is free. The two trams we rode are among a dozen or so that are in service as “talking trams” and part of a total fleet of 45.
For a different experience, with live music to entertain you as you go, there are 1½ hour Groove Tram and 2½ hour Blues Tram rides with local beer and wine available from a pop-up bar. And for a getaway with even more historical charm, you can spend the night in the nearby Conductor’s Quarters (sleeps up to 11).
You can catch the Vintage Talking Tram from Central Deborah Gold Mine, Alexandra Fountain, the Bendigo Tramways Depot, Lake Weeroona or the Bendigo Joss House Temple.
Free all-day parking is available at each tram stop, except within the CBD (Tram Stop No. 2). The Tramways Depot is on the Bendigo Creek Trail, making it a perfect for a quick stop if you’re going for a bike ride, run or walk.
Bendigo Tramways Depot and Workshop
1 Tramways Avenue
Vintage Talking Tram Stop No. 3.
Bendigo VIC 3550
Tel: +61 (0)3 4444 2810
www.bendigotramways.com
Note that trams will not be operating from 24 October to 24 November 2025 due to tram track renewal works in the city’s Pall Mall.
With thanks to Bendigo Tramways for hosting us on the Vintage Talking Tram and at the Bendigo Tram Café.
