Flinders Street Station & Federation Square

Flinders Street Station / Federation Square

The Edwardian Baroque railway station, completed in 1910, is Melbourne's city icon. Across the road, Federation Square houses ACMI, NGV Australia and the visitor centre, making it the city's geographic and cultural heart.

Flinders Street Station stands at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets. Completed in 1910, its yellow sandstone façade, green copper dome and the row of clocks above the entrance make it Melbourne's most famous image. “Meet under the clocks” is a local expression for arranging a date, and the station is still Australia's busiest suburban railway station. Highlights include the clocks on the façade, which show the next departure on each line; the café-lined laneways of Degraves Street and Centre Place, directly opposite the station (Degraves Espresso, Cup of Truth and others); and nearby St Paul's Cathedral, a Gothic Revival church that is free to enter. Across the road, Federation Square (opened 2002) has a fragmented geometric façade of zinc, sandstone and glass that has been controversial. Inside the square are ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), with a free permanent exhibition on the history of film and games; NGV Australia (The Ian Potter Centre), which is free and houses Australian and Indigenous art; and the Melbourne Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a free map and book a free walking tour. The square's big screens serve as a public viewing area during the Australian Open and the World Cup. Tips: This is the starting point for the free tram zone and most walking routes. Photograph the station early in the morning, then walk through Hosier Lane to see the graffiti and continue to Southbank on the Yarra River. In the evening, photograph the station and cathedral from the Southbank Promenade across the river. Transport: all CBD trams pass by, and the station itself is the hub for suburban lines. Note: crowds and trams are dense in front of the main entrance, so take care when photographing. Street performers are often around the square.

Flinders Street Station & Federation Square

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby