Yarra Trams
Welcome to Wurundjeri Country
In an unprecedented collaboration between Yarra Trams (operated by Keolis Downer), the Department of Transport and Planning, and First Nations creative agency Little Rocket, Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD has been transformed into a vibrant tribute to Wurundjeri culture. The project titled “Welcome to Wurundjeri Country” showcases the work of five First Nations artists across the length of Collins Street’s tram shelters.
“Welcome to Wurundjeri Country” redefines how public spaces can be used to celebrate and embed Indigenous culture into daily life. This three-year installation represents a pioneering effort to blend public transport infrastructure with cultural storytelling, effectively turning one of Melbourne’s most iconic streets into an open-air art gallery.
Tram shelters along Collins Street had traditionally served a purely functional purpose. While the area is a key retail and business hub, there was an opportunity to bring greater cultural visibility and aesthetic appeal to the urban landscape. The question was: How could public transport infrastructure be leveraged to celebrate and amplify the voices of local First Nations communities?
Yarra Trams partnered with Little Rocket to develop an artistic activation that would honour Wurundjeri culture and engage both locals and tourists in a meaningful way. With strategic support from the Department of Transport and Planning, the initiative sought to highlight the richness of Wurundjeri storytelling through large-scale, visual installations across multiple tram shelters.
Five artists, ranging from emerging to established, were commissioned for the project, each bringing a unique style and narrative to the series: Coree Thorpe, Simone Thompson, Ash Firebrace, Alex Kerr and Samantha Richards.
The tram shelter artworks were installed on October 8, 2024, under the coordination of Little Rocket’s team. The process was documented and will be shared as a time-lapse video through Yarra Trams’ digital platforms.
“Welcome to Wurundjeri Country” redefines how public spaces can be used to celebrate and embed Indigenous culture into daily life. Through partnership, creative vision, and community collaboration, Collins Street now stands not just as a transit corridor but as a cultural landmark.
“Collins Street Art Shelters have been transformed into an open-air art gallery, where passengers will be able to enjoy and experience First Nations art as they travel through the CBD.”
Carla Purcell
CEO — Yarra Trams
“These opportunities to showcase such important narratives through a transport medium have been rare to date. They provide a platform to share the ancient history of the Wurundjeri in an accessible way.”
Tim McCartney
Executive Director — First Peoples Self Determination & Reform, Department of Transport and Planning
Team
Liam Jakimoff
Producer / Photographer
Andrew Stasiak
Videographer
Tazmyn Slicer
Producer / Photographer
Susan Sohar
Videographer & Editor
Janais Moloney
Account Management
John Burgess
Strategic Lead
Kara Riri
Artist Management
SHOT ON COUNTRY
Wurundjeri
ARTISTS
Ash Firebrace
Wurundjeri
Alex Kerr
Wurundjeri
Samantha Richards
Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung
Simone Thomson
Wurundjeri and Yorta Yorta
Coree Thorpe
Wurundjeri, Yorta Yorta, Gunai Kurnai, Gunditjmara and Wemba Wemba
About the client
Yarra Trams is proudly operated by Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture between Transdev Australia and John Holland. They work with the Department of Transport and Planning, alongside its transport agencies and operators to provide a fully integrated, sustainable transport service for the people of Melbourne.
