I arrived Melbourne June 1997 and nice then I love this iconic building. What a station. It’s so iconic that you will be amazed to see both culture and history are combined into a huge building. As a large and imposing public building located at the major symbolic gateway into the city, on one of the most important intersections, it is a familiar and well loved landmark, and the view of the building from Flinders Street has become one of the most photographed and instantly recognisable images of Melbourne. It is always filled with diverse people. One of my favourite stations in Melbourne City. Flinders Street Station is significant as possibly the most well known and heavily used public building in Melbourne. It is a major destination of the city’s extensive suburban railway system, providing an imposing entry and exit point for thousands of travellers every day of the year.
Even when you don’t use the train from this station, you should definitely go to see its building and maybe take some pictures from both inside and outside. MUST visit place if you in Melbourne.
Flinders Street Railway Station at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets is the oldest station in Australia (1910) although the first station on this site opened in 1854! The architectural style of the building is unique in Victoria. While it is broadly Edwardian Free Style, the main building, originally described as French Renaissance is strongly influenced by French public architecture of the 1900s.
Flinders street is the busiest suburban railway station in the southern hemisphere even after the completion of the city loop railway subway and its 700 metre main platform is the longest in the country.
Flinders Street Station Facts:
- Flinders Street takes its name from a street named by Sir Richard Bourke in 1837 after Captain Mathew Flinders of the Royal Navy.
- Original Flinders Street Station opened on September 12, 1854.
- Present day building completed in 1910.
- Flinders Street Station was designed by W. Fawcett and H. P. C. Ashworth employees in 1889.
- In 1879 Flinders Street and Spencer Street Stations were connected by a street “Tramway”. The viaduct opened in 1891 was duplicated in 1915. Two more track entered service in 1978.
- Approximately 105,000 passengers use Flinders Street Station each day.
- TV Screen information on platforms was introduced in 1981 -1982.
- Flinders Street side of the station has four floors.
- The four floors of the station comprise 109 office areas and a ballroom.
- Each weekday 1500 train movements are made in and out of Flinders Street Station.
- Concourse mural by Mirka Mora contains 18 square metres of tiny glass pieces.
- Festoon lighting surrounded the station to celebrate 100 years of Victorian Railways in 1954 and in 1927 to celebrate the visit of the future King George Vl.
- 4000 light bulbs used for lighting of Flinders Street Station to mark Melbourne’s Spoleto Festival, 1989.
- Flinders Street arrivals and departures serve 199 metropolitan stations.
Platforms:
Platform 1:
Destinations via City Loop – Clifton Hill Group:
Hurstbridge line all stations and limited stop services to Hurstbridge
Mernda line all stations and limited stop services to Mernda
Platform 2 & 3:
Destinations via City Loop – Burnley Group:
Belgrave line all stations and limited stop services to Belgrave
Lilydale line all stations and limited stop services to Lilydale
Glen Waverley line all stations and limited stop services to Glen Waverley
Alamein line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Alamein
Platform 4 & 5:
Destinations via City Loop – Northern Group:
Craigieburn line all stations and limited stop services to Craigieburn
Upfield line all stations and limited stop services to Upfield
Sunbury line all stations and limited stop services to Watergardens & Sunbury
Werribee line weekend all stations services to Werribee
Destinations via Richmond:
Belgrave line all stations and limited stop services to Blackburn
Lilydale line all stations and limited stop services to Blackburn
Alamein line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Alamein
Platform 6 & 7:
Destinations via City Loop – Caulfield Group:
Pakenham line all stations and limited stop services to Pakenham
Cranbourne line all stations and limited stop services to Cranbourne
Frankston line weekday peak and weekend all stations and limited stop services to Frankston
Destinations via Richmond:
Gippsland line V/Line services to Traralgon & Bairnsdale (pick up only)
Gippsland line V/Line services to Southern Cross (set down only)
Platform 8 & 9:
Destinations via Southern Cross:
Frankston line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Frankston
Werribee line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Laverton & Werribee
Williamstown line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Williamstown
Destinations via City Loop – Caulfield Group:
Sandringham line weekend all stations services to Sandringham
Platform 10:
Destinations via Southern Cross:
Werribee line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Laverton & Werribee
Williamstown line weekday all stations and limited stop services to Williamstown
Flemington Racecourse line limited stop services to Showgrounds and/or Flemington Racecourse (special event days only)
Platform 12 & 13:
Destinations via Richmond:
Sandringham line weekday all stations services to Sandringham
Platform 14:
Destinations via City Loop – Clifton Hill Group:
Hurstbridge line all stations and limited stop services to Hurstbridge
Mernda line all stations and limited stop services to Mernda
