Flinders Street Station, Melbourne
The central railway station for Melbourne, Victoria is not only the hub of public transport for the city, but also an historic and cultural landmark.
Flinders Street Station. Melbourne, Australia is the central railway station for the city. It is an historical landmark with fine Edwardian baroque architecture and dome
Flinders Street Station is the central railway station servicing Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and is a city icon, and historical landmark with its large dome, unique colour and beautiful, grand Edwardian Baroque architecture. Flinders Street Station also boasts the world’s fourth longest railway platform at 708 metres (2,322 feet).
Where is Flinders Street Station?
Flinders Street Station is on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets right in the middle of the city of Melbourne. It is the perfect place to begin walking tours of the city and contains an information booth that provides maps and advice for the visitor.
Why visit Flinders Street Station?
Flinders Street Station is more than a city landmark, it has become synonymous with Melbourne’s identity. If a local Melbournian is asked for an image to represent the city of Melbourne, then it is very likely that the main entrance to Flinders Street Station would be chosen. The main façade boasts a series of arrival and departure clocks that represent the best and most common meeting place in the city of Melbourne. The term “to meet you under the clocks” means on the stairs, under the clocks, at Flinders Street Station.
Flinders Street Station has been the central station for Melbourne since 1854 and provided a hub for the expansion of the city and suburbs of Melbourne. The station was originally made up of a series of temporary buildings, but this was soon recognised as inadequate and a competition was announced to select the best design for a new station.
The design not only had to be impressive, but also functional. Seventeen entries were received and given due consideration, but on 22 of May 1900 the first prize was awarded to J.W. Fawcett and H.P.C Ashworth with construction beginning in 1905.
The grand building took five years to construct and represents an inspiring example of Edwardian Baroque architecture with its dome, and many archways. The building extends for almost a city block along Flinders Street and houses not only the functioning railway station, but a grand ballroom and function rooms as well. For over one hundred years this golden yellow building has been a focal point for visitors and Melburnians alike.
Restoration
Flinders Street Station has been recently refurbished and repainted, maintaining the historical landmark in superb condition whilst upgrading the transport facilities inside. The challenge was to bring the facilities into the future and make them better able to cope with over 110,000 commuters every day as well as repair, refurbish, and clean the historical building. The result is a superb example of an historical restoration coupled with uncompromising functionality.
