Ride an original Horse Tram

TRAVEL as Ballarat people did in the 1880s by jumping on Australia’s oldest operating tram, a double-decker ‘Horse Tram’, at Lake Wendouree on Sunday, 14 April.

The equine powered tramcar, built in 1887, was the first in Ballarat’s horsedrawn fleet.

On Sunday-week, Tram Number One will be pulled by some of Sovereign Hill’s working horses between 11am and 3.30pm.

Neville Britton, Operations Manager of Ballarat Tramway Museum said there are not many opportunities for the general public to experience heritage trams in this way.

“Riding on the tram behind the horses is completely different to any other experience. You get a forward and back motion as they step,” he said. “It’s an enjoyable, slow ride.

“The tram is running on steel rails using steel wheels so there’s basically no resistance for the horses. They’re walking but not working too much. For the tram driver, there’s a lot of skill to apply braking.”

Having been privately looked after through the middle of last century, Tram Number One was gifted back to Ballarat Tramway Museum in 1985.

It will depart regularly from the passing loop near Pipers, and halfway through each trip, passengers may swap levels to experience the open-air or the saloon seating inside.

Tickets are available from the departure site or the Tramway Museum. Adults are $10 and children $5. The tickets also include a ride on the heritage electric trams.

In the event of wet or windy weather, it may be postponed. Keep an eye on facebook.com/btm.org.au for updates.