Above Flinders Street Station, an abandoned ballroom sits in ruin. [singlepic id=5891 w=720 h=560 float=center], Can't find what you are looking for? If youre visiting Melbourne, this is one of the citys landmark attractions thats hard to miss. It travelled to Sandridge (now Port Melbourne), over the Sandridge Bridge (which has now been redeveloped in 2006 as a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Yarra River), travelling along the now light rail Port Melbourne line. Opened on September 12th 1854, Flinders Street Station was the first railway station built in any Australian city. Hastings Office 21 Marine Parade, 3915. 9. Outside Flinders Street Station ca. This video shows it (though I'm sure I've seen worse crowds on occasions) It's not entirely down to Myki it's a combination of . "From today everyone can inspect the designs and cast their vote. He was the Midshipman, or the master's mate, on the HMS Reliance where he met George Bass. Completed in 1910, it's constantly evolving, with the most recent alterations completed in 2008. In 1902, a competition was held for the design of the new building. It was so busy, that New York's Grand Central Station couldn't even compare. 17 Comments. The stations complex, like so many buildings of that era in Melbourne and Sydney was never finished. It also featured in the background of Steven Spielbergs TV mini-series The Pacific. By Daniel. The grand ballroom used to be a cultural hub, hosting concerts, meetings, dances and more. The terminus was the first city railway station in Australia, and the opening day saw the first steam train trip in the country. In the summer of 1839, Edward John Eyre with a party of five men further explored the Flinders Ranges. One of Melbourne's most iconic landmarks, Flinders Street Station has a long and interesting history. Platform 13 was redeveloped into a bar. Wikimedia commons. Today, most of the building is sadly in disrepair. [accordions load=1] Christina Karras. Continue reading for interesting facts about the station, as well as details about its history, architecture, redevelopment and more. The stations main steps are embedded with electrical circuits, 8. Located on the third floor, the once grand Ballroom held dance classes, ballroom competitions and concerts with the capacity to seat 400 people. 1. Flinders Street Station designs Revealed. Commuters have reported seeing a man holding fishing gear. Additionally, did you know that Flinders Street Station's steps were fitted with electrical . Commuters have reported seeing a man holding fishing gear on Platform 10, gazing vacantly out towards the river. Note that the eastern end of Platform No. It was home to weatherboard sheds before the terminus was first set up. Under the clocks has always been a popular meeting point for Melbournians and is often a congregation point for subcultures, but did you know that the steps are heated? He is believed to have been around since the days of Melbournes settlement, although some think hes the spirit of George Mansfield (Later properly identified as Ernst Leahy) who was pulled from the Yarra River on the 21st October 1902 after a boating accident. In 1954, to cater for the increasing traffic, as well as for the 1956 summer Olympics, the Degraves street subway from the station was extended to the north side of Flinders Street, creating Campbell Arcade. This makes it a hugely popular meeting place for locals thanks to its central location and easy-to-recognize design. The main steps were embedded with electrical circuits to keep them dry. Now Design is a Melbourne based creative design agency delivering branding, communication and web design strategies across all platforms. Looking north-east from Flinders Street Station 11mo Zekiarsu. It's been three years in the making, with more than 120 . The designers then sent their plans to the architect . Here are a few little known facts about the city's oldest train station. Flinders Street Station: Interesting building - See 1,745 traveler reviews, 1,008 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. This landmark station boasts millions of commuters transiting through its stairs, escalators, concourses, underpasses and platforms on any given day remains quite busy throughout the years. Melbourne Terminus, as it was called then was a collection of weatherboard sheds and on opening day, the first steam train journey in Australia left from the station to Sandridge (now Port Melbourne). Flinders began his explorer career when he was only 15 years old. It has long been reported that the plans were switched resulting in a Gothic style station in India and a vaguely East-Indian style building in Melbourne. In mid-February 2015, the Victorian Government announced that funds will be . Flinders Street Railway Station is a must-visit for those interested in Melbourne's history. Ikara flinders national park was established on January 1st, 1945. It is on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets next to the Yarra River in the middle of the city, stretching from Swanston Street to Queen Street and covering two city blocks. Here are a few interesting facts to know. There have been numerous sightings of a ghost that some call George. The last dance was held on September 10th 1983 and it has since been closed off to the public. PSC TRIBE . photo by Lakeyboy. Flinders Station is one of the most alluring attractions in Melbourne and it certainly is the heart of the city. In its recent restoration, the iconic dome was cleaned for the first time in a century. The station is Australias oldest railway station. Unfortunately, the nursery was closed in 1937 due to a polio outbreak and then permanently closed in 1942 as a war precaution. The Flinders Street Station clocks is one of the most popular spots for meeting people in the CBD. The Degraves Street subway runs under the centre of the station, exiting to Flinders Street at the north end, with stairs directly connecting to all platforms except for platform number 12. As part of the refurbishment, stunning light shows now beam from the building during major events and celebrations. Visit them when they reopen later in 2020. The concourse building contains a ballroom and a creche that existed inside the main dome when the stations offices were still in use. The Elizabeth Street subway is at the west end, and has direct access via ramps to all platforms except for platform number 1 and 12. At one time there were 16 platforms, four of which have been redeveloped over the years. Featuring 430 pieces and retailing for $24.95, its the perfect lockdown project. He only saw huge salt pans. Here are the top 10 remarquable facts about Flinders Street Railway Station. Thu 12 April 2012. It's one of the city's most recognisable buildings and favourite meeting places. At 708 meters long, platform 1 stretches two city blocks from Swanston Street to Queen street and currently services the south Morang and Hurst bridge Lines. The front faade with its series of clocks announcing the arrival and departure of trains remains a famed meeting point for curious travellers, lost friends and uptown youngsters. A worldwide design competition was held in 1899, with 17 entries received. Contact us if you want to use an image. [/accordion] Further history on the station is here: www.transport.vic.gov.au/history Weight lifters would train and the stations male employees would work out during their breaks. Rumour has it that the station is haunted. Flinders Street Station also has 440 yards long rooftop running track and it is completely normal to see men running across the station roof. Believed to be the spirit of George Mansfield, who was later identified as Ernest Leahy. Platforms 2 & 3: Belgrave, Glen Waverley and Lilydale, Platforms 4 & 5: Alamein, Blackburn trains on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines (both platform 4 only), Cragieburn, Sydenham, Upfield and Werribee, Platforms 6 & 7: Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham, Platforms 8 & 9: Sandringham and Williamstown (Peak Only). Busiest Station in the World The concourse ran across the Swanston Street end, and ramps dropped down to the platforms. The distinctive clocks under the main dome of Flinders Street Station that show the departure times of the next trains date back to the 1860s. . The first ever station on the site opened in 1854 and was merely a collection of weatherboard sheds. Top 10 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022), 10 Things to Do in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Stretching two city blocks from Swanston Street to Queen Street, the platform services the South Morang and Hurstbridge lines. Flinders street railway station has become a famous Melbourne landmark, emerging as a symbol of Victoria's capital city and is an institution in the daily routine of nearly a quarter of a million people. The television displays used to display next train information were added to each platform. It's fitting, therefore, that the expansive project is set within one of the city's oldest and most famous landmarks - Flinders Street Station. Hopeless in the north. Interesting history with the chance to talk to a ghost and take photos where a haunting is known to take place. There was once a time when the clocks were manually operated by a railway officer who was tasked to change times on average of 900 times over an eight hour day. In the 1980s renovation, much of the nursery was demolished. The first terminus had a single platform 30 metres long. During his time as a sailor, he was also the commander of several vessels including HMS Reliance, HMS . He then vanishes into thin air. built in 1910, the flinders complex is a melbourne institution and the . The present station building, completed in 1910, was designed by Fawcett & Ashworth. It was also the world's busiest passenger station in the late 1920s. One of Melbournes most iconic landmarks, Flinders Street Station has a long and interesting history. What are some interesting facts about Flinders Street station? It is the busiest train station in Melbourne's rail network and the busiest station in the whole of Australia, serving over 92,000 passengers per year. South-west corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets. Opened on September 12 th 1854, Flinders Street Station was the first railway station built in any Australian city. Read more Melbourne 1.5-Hour Ghost Tour Reviewed by . Up until the 1880s a number of designs for a new station had been prepared, but none ever went any further. Hopeless, was named by explorer John Edward Eyre in 1840 while he was on an expedition to search for an inland sea and a route to central Australia. Platforms 10 & 1214: Various services, depending on day and time. $5 It is widely speculated that George is really the ghost . Commuters have reported seeing a man on platform 10 holding fishing gear, seeming somewhat disoriented as he gazes out at the Yarra River before vanishing into thin air. Flinders Street Station. Flinders Street Station was the first railway station in an Australian city. This made it one of the only three of its kind in the entire world. In March 1966, platform 1 was extended to 708 meters. We are the voice of truth and we refuse to die for a lack of knowledge. Tuesday 23 July 2013 - The six shortlisted designs of the Flinders Street Station Design Competition have been revealed for the first time with Premier Denis Napthine today launching the People's Choice component of the competition. With its iconic yellow facade and green dome, the station was built to be used for more than just transportation. take in MacKenzie Falls, one of the largest falls in Victoria. Although the original clocks are now operated by computer rather than by hand, they remain in working order. The southern facade of the main building above ground level was constructed of lightweight timber frame clad with zinc sheets scored into large blocks, and painted red, giving the appearance of large bricks. He. Since 1854, Flinders Street Station has been the heart of Melbourne and has gone on to become one of the most iconic buildings in the city, but did you know that it was first train station built in any Australian city, or that its haunted by a ghost named George? Once the railway line was extended under the street to join the two, Princes Bridge slowly became amalgamated into Flinders Street. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. The ghost is said to be named George. the flinders street station is the oldest train station in australia as well as the busiest transport hub in victoria. Flinders Street station complex was never finished, 6. [/accordions]. Nestled beneath the station, theyve been dressing the heads of Melburnians for over a century. Flinders street railway station has become a famous Melbourne landmark, emerging as a symbol of Victorias capital city and is an institution in the daily routine of nearly a quarter of a million people. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus formerly Victoria Terminus in Mumbai, India. Top ways to experience Flinders Street Station See all Recommended Tours & Sightseeing Walking & Biking Tours Multi-day & Extended Tours Outdoor Activities Complete Melbourne Walking Tour 579 Recommended City Tours from $65.36 per adult Melbourne Balloon Flight at Sunrise 137 Recommended Adventure Tours from $326.82 per adult Flinders Street Station's platforms are numbered from north to south, with Platform No. Located on Flinders Street, directly opposite Degraves Street. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): Greatest Cricket Experience ever - See 9,073 traveler reviews, 2,700 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at Tripadvisor. At the time Melbourne was expanding rapidly: gold had . Despite it having over 600 more lights, it uses much less energy than the original design. 90 Besgrove Street, 3939. The station had a childrens nursery on the second floor. Groups sit here to chat while soaking up the sun. Beyond the Facade: Flinders Street, more than just a railway station. Rumour has it, the station is haunted by a ghost named George. Melbourne, Australia. The levels above the main hall and platforms used to be a hive of activity in the mid 1900s. Flinders Street Station is the central railway station of the rail network of Melbourne, Australia. It is rumoured that the original plans of the Flinders street railway station were designed for the central station of Mumbai (Bombay then), India but were mixed up in the London office and sent to Australia instead. Inspired by the launch of the latest competition to put forward proposals for its restoration and reinvigoration, and to highlight some of the amazing Flinders Street-related material in Victoria's cultural collections, I will be celebrating the past, present and future of my favorite . photo by Joe Ravi Wikimedia commons. The current building was completed in 1910. First prize was awarded to James Fawcett and HPC Ashworth who won 500 for their French Renaissance Green Light project. Throughout the works, over 4 million bricks were cleaned and repaired, and 600 windows were inspected. Flinders Street Station is located in the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets in Melbourne. 1, where South Morang & Hurstbridge line trains depart, is the longest railway platform in Australia, and the fourth longest in the world, at 708 metres long. Swanston Street and Queen Street in Melbourne CBD. Back in the 1950s and 60s, Flinders Street Station was home to one of the most popular dance halls in Melbourne. The grand ballroom used to be a cultural hub, hosting concerts, meetings, dances and more. Interesting Facts About Flinders Street Station Melbourne. Due to financial restraints, this aspect of the original design was never seen. J.W Fawcett and H.P.C Ashworth were the champions, designing the station that still stands today. 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