Get Your Christmas Fix on Tram 96

If you’re coming to town to tick off your Christmas list items, there are plenty of places along this route where you can do precisely that.

9am

Touch on your myki when you get on the route 96 tram towards Brunswick East and get off at stop 12 (Melbourne Museum/Nicholson Street). Walk along Gertrude Street to Brunswick Street where your day of Christmas shopping will begin. Fitzroy is Melbourne’s home of unique boutiques and vintage stores, making it the perfect place to find gifts for those who are notoriously hard to buy for. Find gifts for the fashionista in your life at local labels LIFEwithBird, or Kinky Gerlinki. Tanner + Teague offers both men’s and women’s luxe fashion, with a wine bar to boot, perfect for the parched shopper. If there’s a vintage lover on your list this year, American Vintage and Yesteryear Vintage await for you sift through their racks for a rare piece to gift.

11am

For the littlies, head to Jasper Junior. This store is known as the toy supplier to Santa and for a good reason. Their range of beautiful, educational and of course fun toys will delight both young and old and are sure to be treasured by those who receive them for many years to come. Bookworms are catered for at The Brunswick Street Bookstore. This independent bookstore has become an institution in the area and has a charm about it that will make you feel good about making a purchase there.

1pm

Pull out the PTV App to see when the next tram's due, walk back towards Nicholson Street and hop back onto the route 96 tram, remembering to touch on your myki. Get off at Bourke Street Mall — Melbourne’s shopping hub. Before searching the stores that line this street to finish off your Christmas shopping, join the crowds outside of the Myer Christmas Windows and enjoy the festive story that is played out by animatronics before you. There is always a buzz around Bourke Street during the festive season, and the Myer Christmas Windows are the perfect way to take a bit of time out from shopping. Now you’re ready to explore the stores that make up this much-loved street mall. Places like H&M, Zara and The Body Shop are the perfect place to find a Secret Santa gift for someone you don’t know too well. David Jones and, of course, Myer are here too if you prefer to do your remaining shopping all in one place — you can even grab a late lunch at the David Jones Food Hall.

5pm

Once your Christmas list is complete, drop your bags off at your hotel and hop back onto the route 96 tram towards St Kilda, and watch the sun setting over the bay while enjoying a delicious dinner at Donovans. What better way to unwind after a long hard day of shopping?

The route 96 tram travels from St Kilda, up Bourke Street and through to Brunswick East. Be sure to download the PTV App so you can plan your day, see the next route 96 tram to catch and find the closest stops to your location.

For more information about Melbourne's connected public transport network, visit our helpful Public Transport section.