Ferry Tram a place for stories

Families are invited to listen to stories on board a 120-year-old tram as the City expands its Time for Stories program to new locations outside South Perth and Manning libraries. 

The Ferry Tram, open to the public at Windsor Park in South Perth, is the original tram that transported passengers to and from the ferry at Mends Street Jetty in 1922. 

Time for Stories is a free interactive early literacy program involving reading, singing, dancing to build essential skills in young children before they start school. The new Ferry Tram edition takes place on the last Friday of every month with an extra session held during school holidays, providing an opportunity for children to connect with local history from an early age.

City of South Perth Mayor, Greg Milner said expanding the program to a new setting would attract new audiences.

“We are always looking for new ways to make our programs easy to access for everyone in our community. When families are out and about and children see other children enjoying stories on the Ferry Tram, they want to take part too.

“By bringing Time for Stories outside the City’s libraries to the Ferry Tram, we are encouraging children to relate what they are learning to the real world. Not only are they developing literacy skills but also exploring the idea of past, present and future. 

“Time for Stories at the Ferry Tram gives children an insight into how transport worked in the past. After listening to stories children participate in a scavenger hunt through the Ferry Tram and Heritage House where they discover more about life in years gone by.”

The Ferry Tram was lovingly restored by Perth Electric Tramways Society, City of South Perth Historical Society and City of South Perth in 2020 before returning home to Windsor Park, close to the original tram line.

A visit the Ferry Tram is a must for those interested in seeing how transport has changed throughout the ages. The Ferry Tram can be viewed any time at the corner of Millpoint Rd and Mends St and is open to the public on Fridays between 10am and 4pm and weekends between 1pm and 4pm.

Times for Stories at the Ferry Tram is free, booking essential.

See dates and book.