Southern Adventure (PART 2)

Sunday 2nd August started off better than the two previous days in that we didn't have to get up as early. We were able to head over to Southern Cross station and get some breakfast. The cafe was located just outside a cop shop and while we were digesting two 'customers' were taken in behind doors. One male and the other female, both in handcuffs, maybe it was warmer there than out on the streets?

We made our way to Platform 13 and caught the Wendouree train and it was well loaded. After travelling out from Melbourne through the suburbs and after passing through Ballarat, alighted at Wendouree an outer suburb. We figured that this would be the closest station to the museum. The day was fine and sunny and we headed off for the half hour walk to find the museum. (Ballarat Tramway Museum)

My last visit to Ballarat was way back in 1970 where I was able to take some 8mm movie film of the still operating system. The system closed down in 1971 and also the nearby town of Bendigo also had a similar tramway system, both are now closed and both have tramway museums operating.

 

The museum operates out of a new modern building having a separate display and depot building.

The display building was set out well and had a large display of trams and plenty of information boards.

Up the back of the building was another room that I discovered had a model tramway section. It was good to see and there was a model layout and display cabinets showing a sample of Australian, English and US styled cars in both O and HO scale.

 

I had little time to view them all as the loudspeaker then advised a tram was ready outside for a trip. The entry to the museum also had unlimited rides on the trams.

The Ballarat system

Our transport for the day

With all aboard we then set off running alongside Lake Wendouree. As can be seen on the map the line use to travel right around the lake. The lake also has fame as it was there that the rowing competition took place for the 1956 Olympic games. We trundled along at jogging pace heading towards the terminus and the 'connie' came along to check and collect tickets. He was suitably attired for the Victorian winter even though this day wasn't 'freezing' We all came to Victoria prepared for the worst - snow, sleet etc but our luck held out again and it wasn't too bad.

I decided to go up to the front of the tram to get some video and we soon came to a stop. And looking out the front on the road you could see a native black swan had come out of the lake and wanted to cross the road. So everything stopped for them.

 

 

We soon arrived at the terminus and the pole required taking around to the rear. The conductor was good in that he let a young child help him to 'swing the pole'.

 After taking some photos at the terminus we all hopped back on board. It was getting around lunch time and food was on our minds. On the way to the terminus we spotted a large building which turned out to be a popular eating place called 'Pipers by the Lake'

Pipers by the Lake

The place looked a bit flash and after perusing the menu, the funniest thing happened - all six of us decided to get a milkshake each, though I must admit there were chocolate, strawberry and vanilla one consumed. I only wished that I had taken a photo. Getting off the tram half way back to the museum proved a smart move as we were then half way back to the station.  So we then started our journey back to Wendouree station for our trip back to Melbourne.

It turned out to be a great day, the weather was kind to us and we got to see a museum preserving our heritage for future generations to see and enjoy.

On the Monday morning two of the six decided to return to Sydney on the XPT, the others chose to fly back. There was nothing exciting to report on regarding the journey and the sampling of the lunch on the forward journey made me purchase a sandwich pack for lunch prior to boarding. I said goodbye to Mike at Moss Vale as he was collected by his daughter before heading to Bowral.

Arrival at Central was the usual late and I then changed platforms for another intercity journey home. It was another great weekend, enjoyed by all and the best part was the weather Gods were very kind to us yet again. Victorian weather can be very temperamental. Not this time.