Flinders Street Railway Station/Flinders St
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This iconic, domed railway and metro hub, opened in 1909, with a yellow facade and an arched entrance. Common meeting place is under the clocks. Opened in 1854, this historic station serves the entire metropolitan rail network, as well as some country services. It is along the Yarra River in the heart of the city, with Walkways going underneath the station. Flinders Street is Melbourne's busiest pedestrian crossings, both across Flinders Street, there is even a pedestrian scramble. The station's main building was completed in 1909. The distinctive & eclectic Edwardian building, has a prominent dome, arched entrance, tower and clocks is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, and its grand, even exotic. The Melbourne saying "I'll meet you under the clocks" refers to the clocks above the main entrance, which shows departure times.
This is the first train station in Australia, from 1854. It's comparable to Grand Central Station in New York. There are shops all around the entrance. Lots of people coming to and from the trains at this location. The shops give a variety of food choices, gifts, and other novelties to select, even if you are not waiting for a train. It's centrally located and close to the Cricket Grounds and Rob Laver Arena. It looks as if many people select this as a meeting spot before their next destination.
Tokyo is to Tokyo station, New York is to Grand Central, Boston is to South Station, then Melbourne is to Flinders Street Station. This is a terminal station where start/end their service and it's quite a view to see all trains and docked 'n ready. Its architecture is definitely Instagram-esque. I'd say that this is the central of Melbourne as far as tourism goes. It is good to use as focal point if you are deciding where to stay.
The heart of Melbourne transportation, it is a massive railways station that services trains with tram stops nearby on every corner. All roads lead to Rome? All roads lead to Flinders! 3 stars because the architecture looks great and it truly is a Melbourne icon. Beautiful classic Victorian-style exterior. However, I'm rating it is as a train station as well. Atmosphere: Although the outside of the train station looks impressive, the inside is awful. Dirty, a tad bit smelly, with chipping paint - it's not a wonder why all the "iconic" photos of Flinders Station are taken from the outside rather than the inside. Watch out for the Flinders Kids on the steps by the way - they're a bit loopy. Or maybe they're just ~*ToO EdGy*~ for me? No idea. Customer Service: Non-existent, bar the people handing out The MX. TIPS: ~ If you know that you're low on funds for your Myki, do not top up at one of the Myki top up machines. I repeat: DO NOT. You will miss your train and I can guarantee you that. ~ You will NOT find the entrance to Platform 1 in that small underground walkway. You can find the entrances to pretty much all the platforms except 1. Walk all the way around or go inside the station itself. Unfortunately, during White Night I was unable to do this and thus had to walk around the exterior of the station.
Wow. What an icon is this station. The architecture, location and the fact that it has been with melbourne since, well, melbourne has been melbourne. Due to its location this station is also meeting place for trains and all the passenger wherever the train could possibly come and go. However, sadly some aspects of this station (i.e toilets, the platforms, ticketing system, the technology) have remained in the past as Melbourne have grown. It gets very crowded and is unable to cope with the amount of passengers during rush hours.
This Melbourne landmark is the central meeting point in the city. Essentially it's just a train station, but it's where all trains start and end. It's so much more than a station, it's our icon. The steps of flinders st are often littered with people waiting, chatting or just plain loitering around. Like all stations, you need a valid ticket to enter, once inside you'll find all platforms are neatly labeled and on the right-hand side of the building. Departure times are displayed on screens at the entrance and at each platform entry. During peak hours flinders st does become very busy and fast paced, it's easy to get in someone's way and be knocked about if you don't know where you're going. There is usually a wait to get on the escalator/stairs after coming off a peak hour train. Overall this central station is a wonder to look at from the outside, also a very practical and easy to navigate station.
What does it take to appreciate your surroundings? As a Melbournian of long standing I have been travelling the public transport route for at least a decade and twice a day traverse the concourse of Flinders Street Railway Station. My New years (2014) resolution is to join the 365 project - http://www.365project.org/peerden - and this has meant I have become a real camera addict. It has also brought me into conflict with Flinders Street Staff who insist that my carrying an in-your-face camera makes you more of a target than say the 1.2 million iphone users who happily snap off shots left right and centre. The exscuse why photographing one of our most important icons is that the powers to be are concerned that journalists might just photograph trains that have graffiti on them and use the results negitively. Well I have news for them. What trains do NOT have graffiti on them and all I have to do is walk outside the station cross over to Princes Bridge and snap away at trains passing beneath me. Still I am a fan and my new eye has picked up a great many wonderful and obscure pieces within the building to photograph. I will include a piece of art that is hanging on the wall above the toilets in the main concourse. I love it but never noticed it until my 365 project kicked off. If someone has any information about this I would be grateful for a buzz or even a Yelp with the info.
Derail (yep, I really went there) at Flinders Street Station and find yourself in the heart of Melbourne! According to my grandma the only place to be on a Friday night in the 1940's was at the dances hosted in the Flinders Street Station ballroom! The tradition of meeting up with your beau at Flinders Street hasn't changed much over the decades. Glance beneath the iconic clocks at the main entrance of the station and most likely you will find teenage lovers embracing on the steps, suited office workers saying their goodbyes, and probably at least one confused tourist. The steps of Flinders Street Station get a little "messy" in the wee hours of Friday and Saturday nights...consider yourself warned! Flinders Street Station will get you in and out of Melbourne's CBD with hopefully little confusion. Screens announce the destination of each train on all platforms, you will find clean bathrooms and overpriced food kiosks. Yes, it is just a transport hub, but an iconic one!
Flinders street Train Station is Australia's oldest and most well known train station and is one of, if not the most infamous Melbourne institution and landmark. Building of this impressive city masterpiece was finalised in 1910 and the heritage of the original building has remained in tact. Standing statuesque on the corners of Flinders st, St Kilda rd and Swanston st, this striking gold building, with castle like turrets can be seen half way up Elizabeth street, and if you say "meet me at the clocks", everyone knows you're talking about the giant clocks located on the facade of the entrance. Decorative, well known and informative, the clocks show the times of the next departing and arriving trains for each train line. When I first moved to Melbourne from the country nothing made me feel more like a Melbournian than walking the steps up Flinders st to meet friends for coffee.
One of Melbourne's most prominent, touristy and noticeable landmarks that gives Melbourne a distinctive local flavour. A common congested pathway and meeting spot. Thank goodness for Federation Square across the road as an alternate and newish meeting spot in Melbourne; just like how Sydney has the Sydney Town Hall as the meeting hotspot mecca for friends to catch up. This station gets busy, and busy would be a clear understatement here. This is more the equivalent of Central Station in Sydney. The MyKi machines can be a little problematic, and a little congestion is expected as you alight from a train here. Catching a train here is normally fuss free; although it is expected to be crazy during peak hour. The best time to catch a train from this station is early morning on the weekends outbound. It is great to be able to grab a bite to eat before catching your train; although it feels like your going on a long distance train trip rather than two stops away to South Yarra if you do so. Best to be prepared and eat something beforehand; and know exactly which platform your train departs as to not get caught in the sometimes heavy traffic trap here.
If you are looking for an instantly recognisable meeting spot in Melbourne, "under the clocks" has to be the most popular. Flinder's famed clocks have been a meeting spot forever and a day and the steps underneath can get super-congested with people hanging around. The station is probably Melbourne's busiest and most central, with every train coming through her at some stage during its route. It is an architectural jewel of the city and there are mutterings every few years about a major renovation that never seems to eventuate. There are some legendary ballrooms that have fallen into disrepair that I dearly hope see the light of day once more.
Well, this is review number 1000 so I guess I have to write about some place that is really, really cool, and having a look at all the reviews I have already done I guess the honour goes to Flinders Street Station. This is a absolutely gorgeous station and literally a Melbournian icon. I still remember marvelling at the place when I would come over to Melbourne to watch the football (and would regularly have people drop us off there because the sight of Finder Street Station would be that one sight that told me I had arrived). Since it is the central station for the domestic services it does get pretty busy, especially during peak hour, but I've never had too much of an issue making my way around here. There are a couple of underground walkways that take you between the platforms (and on weekdays even out into Degraves Street). Every so often the tunnel to Degraves Street will have art displays along the way. As for toilets, I would highly recommend avoiding the one in the main concourse as they are absolutely disgusting (there are much better ones near the entrance out to Elizabeth Street). Oh, I also find it really, really annoying that the Elizabeth street entrance to platform one closes during the evening and on weekends (which means I have to run the gauntlet - especially at night - to get to my train).
During my recent visit to Melbourne, members of our group lived this local phrase: "I'll meet you under the clocks". We also walked under the station when walking to and from our Southbank Hotel to parts of the Central Business District. read more
(Visited 12/16/24 MO @ 11:00am): This railway station was a find along the street we were walking down! A friend and I were on Day 3 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises, we took the local train into town for some casual exploration, and after a stop at Federation Square, we proceeded to Flinders Street Railway Station. The station was named after renowned Capt. Matthew Flinders, a Royal Navy officer, navigator, and cartographer, who led the first inshore circumnavigation of mainland Australia then called New Holland, was also credited as the first person to to utilize the name "Australia" to describe the entirety of the continent. This was Australia's oldest train station, and with its prominent green copper dome, distinctive yellow facade, arched entrance, and clocks, it was one of Melbourne's most recognizable landmarks. The station was completed in 1910, and the upper floors were purpose-built to house a library, gym, and lecture hall, later used as a ballroom. Its 708-meter main platform was the fourth longest railway platform in the world. A noted heritage site, it was one of the busiest suburban railway stations in the Southern Hemisphere with over 1,500 trains and 110,000 commuters passing through each day. With all of these historical facts, were we impressed by this famously-named railway station!? PURCHASE We didn't spend any money here, but of course the main financial transactions were for ride fares. Because we didn't go inside, I couldn't say whether or not there were other opportunities to separate you from your money! SERVICE Again, we didn't venture inside, so I imagined there were staffers around, and hopefully, the trains ran on time (which I suspected they did) - 'nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) I wouldn't suspect any onsite parking simply because of the nature of this transit center. Most passengers and people would either be already on a train, had taken public transportation to this station, or simply walked. Otherwise, if you needed to park for whatever reason, there was a large onsite lot at nearby Federation Square at various rates ($8.00AUD - $64.00AUD) based on day, event, reason, and time. Additionally, there appeared to be a decent amount of parking on all surrounding streets (please note any posted signs) - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A large street corner ornate building https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=xBsRBjr9EhC3_GK3S0WzHg that was visible from blocks in either direction, based on pictures I've seen the interior was somewhat modern with all of the standard amenities afforded a train terminal. Tickets windows, train schedules, clocks, and paths that branched out in many directions to their respective platforms, this was a sight to see. Minimal natural lighting entered through the stained-glass windows and entrances, while numerous electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. I couldn't say whether or not there were any TVs or any background music except for the sounds of the trains and outside street traffic. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=mJaGBCG31dXRhgFWJjeBJA ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL There was such a charming historic feel about the Flinders Street Railway Station that I only appreciated from the outside having not looked in. I wished I hopped onto a train that took me through the station, but on this day it was crowded with people which was very unappealing to me. There were also interesting lore and stories (ghosts!?) to research for some good tales. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00AUD / $0.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, although they accepted credit cards, not mine of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more
This is the oldest railway station in Australia dating back to 1854. The main building was completed in 1909. The first electric train started running in 1919. It is stunning. People used to meet by the clocks or meet by the steps as landmarks. At one point in the 1920s, it was the busiest train station in the world. Nice to get transported back in time to this historic railway station. read more
This iconic, domed railway and metro hub, opened in 1909, with a yellow facade and an arched entrance. Common meeting place is under the clocks. Opened in 1854, this historic station serves the entire metropolitan rail network, as well as some country services. It is along the Yarra River in the heart of the city, with Walkways going underneath the station. Flinders Street is Melbourne's busiest pedestrian crossings, both across Flinders Street, there is even a pedestrian scramble. The station's main building was completed in 1909. The distinctive & eclectic Edwardian building, has a prominent dome, arched entrance, tower and clocks is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, and its grand, even exotic. The Melbourne saying "I'll meet you under the clocks" refers to the clocks above the main entrance, which shows departure times. read more
This is the first train station in Australia, from 1854. It's comparable to Grand Central Station in New York. There are shops all around the entrance. Lots of people coming to and from the trains at this location. The shops give a variety of food choices, gifts, and other novelties to select, even if you are not waiting for a train. It's centrally located and close to the Cricket Grounds and Rob Laver Arena. It looks as if many people select this as a meeting spot before their next destination. read more
Tokyo is to Tokyo station, New York is to Grand Central, Boston is to South Station, then Melbourne is to Flinders Street Station. This is a terminal station where start/end their service and it's quite a view to see all trains and docked 'n ready. Its architecture is definitely Instagram-esque. I'd say that this is the central of Melbourne as far as tourism goes. It is good to use as focal point if you are deciding where to stay. read more
7 years ago
Down by the river, this train station hides, it's big, but not a lot of signs leading to this. read more
15 years ago
The heart of Melbourne transportation, it is a massive railways station that services trains with tram stops nearby on every corner. All roads lead to Rome? All roads lead to Flinders! 3 stars because the architecture looks great and it truly is a Melbourne icon. Beautiful classic Victorian-style exterior. However, I'm rating it is as a train station as well. Atmosphere: Although the outside of the train station looks impressive, the inside is awful. Dirty, a tad bit smelly, with chipping paint - it's not a wonder why all the "iconic" photos of Flinders Station are taken from the outside rather than the inside. Watch out for the Flinders Kids on the steps by the way - they're a bit loopy. Or maybe they're just ~*ToO EdGy*~ for me? No idea. Customer Service: Non-existent, bar the people handing out The MX. TIPS: ~ If you know that you're low on funds for your Myki, do not top up at one of the Myki top up machines. I repeat: DO NOT. You will miss your train and I can guarantee you that. ~ You will NOT find the entrance to Platform 1 in that small underground walkway. You can find the entrances to pretty much all the platforms except 1. Walk all the way around or go inside the station itself. Unfortunately, during White Night I was unable to do this and thus had to walk around the exterior of the station. read more
Wow. What an icon is this station. The architecture, location and the fact that it has been with melbourne since, well, melbourne has been melbourne. Due to its location this station is also meeting place for trains and all the passenger wherever the train could possibly come and go. However, sadly some aspects of this station (i.e toilets, the platforms, ticketing system, the technology) have remained in the past as Melbourne have grown. It gets very crowded and is unable to cope with the amount of passengers during rush hours. read more
15 years ago
This Melbourne landmark is the central meeting point in the city. Essentially it's just a train station, but it's where all trains start and end. It's so much more than a station, it's our icon. The steps of flinders st are often littered with people waiting, chatting or just plain loitering around. Like all stations, you need a valid ticket to enter, once inside you'll find all platforms are neatly labeled and on the right-hand side of the building. Departure times are displayed on screens at the entrance and at each platform entry. During peak hours flinders st does become very busy and fast paced, it's easy to get in someone's way and be knocked about if you don't know where you're going. There is usually a wait to get on the escalator/stairs after coming off a peak hour train. Overall this central station is a wonder to look at from the outside, also a very practical and easy to navigate station. read more
13 years ago
What does it take to appreciate your surroundings? As a Melbournian of long standing I have been travelling the public transport route for at least a decade and twice a day traverse the concourse of Flinders Street Railway Station. My New years (2014) resolution is to join the 365 project - http://www.365project.org/peerden - and this has meant I have become a real camera addict. It has also brought me into conflict with Flinders Street Staff who insist that my carrying an in-your-face camera makes you more of a target than say the 1.2 million iphone users who happily snap off shots left right and centre. The exscuse why photographing one of our most important icons is that the powers to be are concerned that journalists might just photograph trains that have graffiti on them and use the results negitively. Well I have news for them. What trains do NOT have graffiti on them and all I have to do is walk outside the station cross over to Princes Bridge and snap away at trains passing beneath me. Still I am a fan and my new eye has picked up a great many wonderful and obscure pieces within the building to photograph. I will include a piece of art that is hanging on the wall above the toilets in the main concourse. I love it but never noticed it until my 365 project kicked off. If someone has any information about this I would be grateful for a buzz or even a Yelp with the info. read more
Derail (yep, I really went there) at Flinders Street Station and find yourself in the heart of Melbourne! According to my grandma the only place to be on a Friday night in the 1940's was at the dances hosted in the Flinders Street Station ballroom! The tradition of meeting up with your beau at Flinders Street hasn't changed much over the decades. Glance beneath the iconic clocks at the main entrance of the station and most likely you will find teenage lovers embracing on the steps, suited office workers saying their goodbyes, and probably at least one confused tourist. The steps of Flinders Street Station get a little "messy" in the wee hours of Friday and Saturday nights...consider yourself warned! Flinders Street Station will get you in and out of Melbourne's CBD with hopefully little confusion. Screens announce the destination of each train on all platforms, you will find clean bathrooms and overpriced food kiosks. Yes, it is just a transport hub, but an iconic one! read more
15 years ago
Flinders street Train Station is Australia's oldest and most well known train station and is one of, if not the most infamous Melbourne institution and landmark. Building of this impressive city masterpiece was finalised in 1910 and the heritage of the original building has remained in tact. Standing statuesque on the corners of Flinders st, St Kilda rd and Swanston st, this striking gold building, with castle like turrets can be seen half way up Elizabeth street, and if you say "meet me at the clocks", everyone knows you're talking about the giant clocks located on the facade of the entrance. Decorative, well known and informative, the clocks show the times of the next departing and arriving trains for each train line. When I first moved to Melbourne from the country nothing made me feel more like a Melbournian than walking the steps up Flinders st to meet friends for coffee. read more
15 years ago
One of Melbourne's most prominent, touristy and noticeable landmarks that gives Melbourne a distinctive local flavour. A common congested pathway and meeting spot. Thank goodness for Federation Square across the road as an alternate and newish meeting spot in Melbourne; just like how Sydney has the Sydney Town Hall as the meeting hotspot mecca for friends to catch up. This station gets busy, and busy would be a clear understatement here. This is more the equivalent of Central Station in Sydney. The MyKi machines can be a little problematic, and a little congestion is expected as you alight from a train here. Catching a train here is normally fuss free; although it is expected to be crazy during peak hour. The best time to catch a train from this station is early morning on the weekends outbound. It is great to be able to grab a bite to eat before catching your train; although it feels like your going on a long distance train trip rather than two stops away to South Yarra if you do so. Best to be prepared and eat something beforehand; and know exactly which platform your train departs as to not get caught in the sometimes heavy traffic trap here. read more
15 years ago
If you are looking for an instantly recognisable meeting spot in Melbourne, "under the clocks" has to be the most popular. Flinder's famed clocks have been a meeting spot forever and a day and the steps underneath can get super-congested with people hanging around. The station is probably Melbourne's busiest and most central, with every train coming through her at some stage during its route. It is an architectural jewel of the city and there are mutterings every few years about a major renovation that never seems to eventuate. There are some legendary ballrooms that have fallen into disrepair that I dearly hope see the light of day once more. read more
Well, this is review number 1000 so I guess I have to write about some place that is really, really cool, and having a look at all the reviews I have already done I guess the honour goes to Flinders Street Station. This is a absolutely gorgeous station and literally a Melbournian icon. I still remember marvelling at the place when I would come over to Melbourne to watch the football (and would regularly have people drop us off there because the sight of Finder Street Station would be that one sight that told me I had arrived). Since it is the central station for the domestic services it does get pretty busy, especially during peak hour, but I've never had too much of an issue making my way around here. There are a couple of underground walkways that take you between the platforms (and on weekdays even out into Degraves Street). Every so often the tunnel to Degraves Street will have art displays along the way. As for toilets, I would highly recommend avoiding the one in the main concourse as they are absolutely disgusting (there are much better ones near the entrance out to Elizabeth Street). Oh, I also find it really, really annoying that the Elizabeth street entrance to platform one closes during the evening and on weekends (which means I have to run the gauntlet - especially at night - to get to my train). read more
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