Historic Perth trams were being restored and operated at Whiteman Park by the Perth Electric Tramway Society, giving visitors the chance to travel on part of the city's former tram network.

Society member Lindsay Richardson, who grew up in Como when trams still operated through Perth, became involved in preserving them after the system closed. He founded the Perth Electric Tramway Society with six other enthusiasts in 1969.

The group aimed to collect electric tram parts ready for restoration. These were initially stored at Castledare Boys Home for many years, where exposure to the weather and small boys caused some damage.

The society later divided into two groups, with the motor bus enthusiasts forming a separate organisation.

In 1981, the tramway society was invited to establish a working tramway at Whiteman Park in the Swan Valley. After years of work, it had constructed about 4km of track and was operating six restored Melbourne trams.

The society was also restoring a 29-year-old Fremantle tram, while its bus museum operated a bus museum nearby.

Two light railway groups had also constructed a two-foot gauge track through the park, operating steam locomotives in winter and a diesel-powered engine during the bushfire season.

All of the transport systems were open to the public and run by volunteers.