Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia
Conference Details
Programme as of Feb. 2021
All subject to there being no COVID-19 restrictions
Proposed COTMA Conference - September 2021
Accommodation
At least three options available and near the Railway Station. Delegates will book their own accommodation based on advice to be provided in the next update.
Transport to Ballarat
Train services to Ballarat are now every 40 mins on weekdays and hourly Saturday and Sunday. There is also a direct airport bus.
Wednesday 15th September
- Delegates arrive
- Social evening at Seymour's on Lydiard - Meet & greet
Thursday 16th
- COTMA - Conference Opening and formal sessions
- Lunch at Wallace hotel and then visit the Museum's Bungaree offsite store
- Social night/ evening meal at VRI Hall
Friday 17th
- Morning Speaker, Conference CGM with spare parts discussion - VRI Hall
- Lunch at VRI Hall
- After lunch visit to Museum's tram depot
- Conference Dinner at Quest Receptions, Lydiard St
Saturday 18th
- Visit Melbourne Tramcar Preservation Association at Haddon
- Lunch at Haddon
- Self-guided visit CBD Ballarat
- BTM 50th anniversary Dinner at the Mercure
Hosted by:
Sunday 19th
- BTM day of celebrations - Vintage Transport Day
Monday 20th
- Social Day - Train trip Ballarat to Beaufort
- Visit Lake Goldsmith machinery display Beaufort railway goods shed
- Bus to Waterloo, terminus of 5'3" gauge tramway branch line, closed 1912 formerly used to carry mining rubble for ballast on main line railways
- Lunch at Maryborough Highland Society (Bowls Club)
- View magnificent Maryborough Railway Station. Train to Ballarat
Partners Programme
Thursday 16th
- Walking tour of city area. Will include Art Gallery and Mechanics Institute. Lunch included.
Friday 17th
- Bus tour to Creswick Woollen Mill, Lambley Plant Nursery (between Creswick and Clunes)
- Sandwich lunch at Clunes
- Visit historic Talbot, with afternoon tea locally