City of Villages - Route 96

Route 96: East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach

One of Melbourne's busiest tram routes, popular with Victorians and tourists alike, carrying nearly 40,000 passengers a day.  it started life as a cable tram in 1887 operating along Bourke Street and Nicholson Street. 

It began electric operation in 1956 with the line being extended to St Kilda in 1987 with the conversion of the St Kilda railway to a light rail line.

The Route 96 even holds a position in the world's top ten tram rides, this 13.9km super route connects many of Melbourne's top attraction, some of which are...

Melbourne Museum

Nestled in the centre of Carlton Gardens, the post-modernist building designed by Denton Corker Marshal architects makes a huge impression and provides wonderful contrast to the historic Royal Exhibition Building in front.

This hugely popular Museum exhibits a world of natural and cultural history along with special events for all ages. From bugs, to dinosaurs, to Lego, to artefacts from the Titanic - there’s always something new to explore amongst all the regular exhibits. Recently becoming home to the most complete skeleton of a Triceratops in the world – Horridus! It’s also home to Melbourne’s largest movie screen - the IMAX.

Royal Exhibition Building

This beautiful World Heritage-listed building was completed in 1880 as part of the international exhibition movement. Part of 50 events around the world that attracted visitors and exhibitors from every corner of the globe.

Architect Joseph Reed’s design won amongst many submissions and was inspired by an eclectic mix of styles, drawing from Byzantine, Romanesque, Lombardic and Renaissance. The famous dome itself modelled on that of the Florence Cathedral.

After first hosting the Melbourne International Exhibition, it has hosted a plethora of important shows and events from the opening of the first Parliament of Australia in 1901 to Olympic Events, Art Fairs, Melbourne Fashion Week, and more. The Royal Exhibition Building also served as a hospital during the Spanish Flu epidemic.

Recently the Dome has been opened to the public as an attraction in itself, allowing visitors roof access to enjoy views over Carlton Gardens across to the city.

Carlton Gardens

64 hectares of sweeping lawns and a variety of European and Australian trees combine with vibrant flower beds to line avenues and pathways in these popular gardens just a stone’s throw from the CBD.

Two small ornamental lakes adorn the southern section with a ‘Grand Allée’ of plane trees leading up to a majestic fountain and the Royal Exhibition Building, with the Melbourne Museum just behind.

This urban oasis also serves as home to a menagerie of wildlife such as brushtailed possums, ducks, tawny frogmouths and kookaburras. Indian Mynas and Silver Gulls are also common.

South Melbourne Market

Hop off at stop 127 to explore the marvellous South Melbourne Market.

The market opened in 1867 making it Melbourne’s longest continually running market and it has grown and grown. Nearly 150 stalls and shops operated by small business owners make up this quintessential village market which truly has something for everyone.

All the staples; fresh fruit and veg, butchers, poultry and quality seafood are in abundance along with incredible specialist delis, nut shops and more. Homewares, fashion, books, massages, haircuts, flowers, this list goes on!

All that and a world of dining options with many delicious cuisines on offer to dine in or takeaway – don't forget the famous South Melbourne Market dim sims!

Market days are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am.

Albert Park Lake

Home to the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, this 560-acre parkland boasts a beautiful Y-shaped lake used for water sports and recreation plus a whole host of birdlife – resident Black Swans and many visiting species from geese to eagles to pelicans.

And it’s a truly sporty spot. In addition to the Grand Prix it offers the Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, many other indoor sports facilities, the Albert Park Yacht and Sailing Club, even a golf course! The 4.7km track around the lake is also a popular jogging route.

You can also experience the wonderful village feel of the Albert Park Village along Dundas Place and Victoria Avenue that houses a number of retail stores and great restaurants and cafes. Take a walk around the suburb where you will see some of the finest Edwardian and Victorian architecture including the magnificent terraces of St Vincent’s Place.

St Kilda Beach

Melbourne’s most famous stretch of sand rests on Port Phillip Bay at around 700 metres long between St Kilda Marina and St Kilda Harbour.

Always bustling with swimmers, sunbathers, joggers and tourists with various venues and attractions adorning its foreshore, it’s a wonderful if sometimes windy spot. It’s also popular for all kinds of water sport enthusiasts taking part in windsurfing, kite sailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing and more.

Tourists and locals can also enjoy St Kilda Sea Baths, a pool, spa and entertainment complex. St Kilda Pavilion and Pier are also popular, with the pier home to a colony of around 1200 Australian Little Penguins among the rocks of the breakwater.

Palais Theatre

Formerly known as Palais Pictures, the current ornate and exotic building with a striking presence on the St Kilda foreshore, was built in 1927. Starting life as a cinema, its capacity of nearly 3,000 remains the largest seated theatre in Australia. And recently, after a $20-million restoration, it has been restored to its original sand colour after decades of being off-white.

Now primarily a music venue, it has also hosted ballet, operas and many stand-up comedy shows.

Its position on the Victorian Heritage Register is well deserved as was it's 2015 induction into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame. An acknowledgement of the diverse array of significant live performances it has hosted includes – The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Margot Fonteyn, Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue and Australian legend – Farnsy!

Luna Park

Direct neighbour to the Palais is the unmistakable, unmissable visage of Luna Park. This historic amusement park opened in 1912 and has been operating almost continuously ever since.

Built by American showman J.D. Williams, along with the Phillips Brothers consulting experts direct from the famous Coney Island in New York, its surreal and fun design was an immediate success.

The famous Scenic Railway roller coaster forms its perimeter and takes thrill-seekers up and over its famous ‘Mr Moon’ face entryway. It is officially the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the world.

Inside Luna Park visitors can find many rides and attractions from the ghost train to dodgems, roller coasters, thrill rides and even the original 1913 carousel (lovingly restored in 2000).  

Hosting special events across the calendar, this icon of Melbourne never fails to put smiles on faces and provide a fun day out for all.

Acland Street

The 96 terminates at cosmopolitan Acland Street. Named after Sir Thomas Dyke Acland - owner of the Lady of St Kilda schooner which was moored in Melbourne in the 1840s which also gave name to St Kilda itself.

This sensational street precinct offers a dazzling array of shops, restaurants, and bars. A variety of cuisines are on offer including Vietnamese, Italian, Indian and Malaysian, seafood, gelati and of course, its famous cakes!

Acland Street also hosts many events throughout the year for Easter and Halloween, pop-up dance parties, light and colour installations, St Kilda Festival and most fabulous of all, Acland’s Drag Derby, a fun family-friendly drag competition in celebration of Pride march.

Explore More. Travel by Tram.  Click here to plan your journey.

Click here to explore other routes.