16/06/2026
Looking down towards the intersection of Hunter Street and Elizabeth Street as a tram heads up Elizabeth Street towards Martin Place, Sydney (1961)
Photo credit: Peter Sage via Lindsay Bridge on Flickr.
This remarkable February 1961 photograph captures the final chapter of Sydney's once-extensive tram network. As a tram makes its way along Elizabeth Street toward Martin Place, the image preserves a scene that would soon disappear from the city's streets forever. For decades, trams were the backbone of public transport in Sydney, carrying millions of passengers between the CBD and surrounding suburbs. Looking at this photograph today, it is fascinating to imagine the sounds of the tram bells, the busy footpaths, and the steady flow of people moving through the city centre. The surrounding commercial buildings and streetscape reflect a Sydney that was on the verge of significant change, as planners increasingly prioritized buses and private vehicles. Within months, many tram services would be withdrawn, ending an era that had shaped the city's development for generations. Images like this are invaluable pieces of Sydney history, capturing a transportation system that remains fondly remembered by many residents.