Southbank Tram Depot

Did you ever wonder where Melbourne’s trams go to sleep? Right here, at the Southbank Tram Depot. This isn’t just a parking lot for trams. It’s a vital hub. It’s where these iconic vehicles are maintained and prepared for another day of crisscrossing the city. Southbank Tram Depot opened on February 8, 1997. It replaced the old South Melbourne depot and stands on the former site of the Montague shipping shed. In 1999, the depot transitioned to Yarra Trams. This happened during the privatization of the Public Transport Corporation. The depot even got an upgrade in 2009 to accommodate the new E-class trams. The Southbank Tram Depot isn’t just a place for storage and maintenance. It’s a launchpad for several tram routes that weave through Melbourne. Routes 12, 30, 35, 58, and 96 all originate here. Think of the journeys these trams embark on. Route 12 travels from Victoria Gardens to St Kilda. Route 30 connects St Vincent’s Plaza to Central Pier Docklands. Route 35 takes passengers on a nostalgic journey around the City Circle. Route 58, shared with Essendon depot, stretches from West Coburg to Toorak. And finally, Route 96 shuttles between East Brunswick and St Kilda Beach. Southbank Tram Depot houses a diverse fleet of trams. As of May 2024, you’ll find 23 A1 Class trams, 2 A2 Class trams, 5 C2 Class trams, 2 E Class trams, 26 E2 Class trams, and 12 W8 Class trams. Interestingly, while Z3-class trams from other depots are serviced here, they don’t actually run on Southbank routes. There’s more to this location than just the depot. A light rail station, also called Southbank Tram Depot, is located just 250 meters away on Normanby Road. It sits on the former Port Melbourne railway line. So, next time you see a tram gliding through Melbourne, remember the Southbank Tram Depot. It’s a behind-the-scenes marvel. It keeps Melbourne moving.