The saying, “I’ll meet you under the clocks” has been used by generations of Melbournians. The clocks above the arched entrance of the Flinders Street Station of Melbourne are among its most famous features. They show the time of the next train, scheduled for each line. The clocks are automatic now, but originally they were manually adjusted.  The time was changed multiple times in a day with the help of a long pole.

 Flinders Street Station is a popular meeting place for the people of Melbourne. I can see the reason why, It has been designed very sensitively to the needs of the residents. An example of sensitivity is that, when the station was refurbished in the late 1980s, the builders incorporated heating under the stone steps, so that people sitting there, wouldn’t get cold. I haven’t heard of anything like this anywhere else in a public place.

Flinders Street Station has been the main metropolitan train station for Melbourne for well over 150 years. The original station was a simple wooden shed that served as a temporary terminus for the trains. A single line was installed in 1854. By the late 1920s, Flinders Street was the busiest train station in the world, serving nearly 300,000 passengers in a day. The current French Renaissance-style building was completed in 1910 after a design competition was held.  The winning designers were two railway workers James Fawcett and H.P.C. Ashworth. 

The top floor was reserved for the Victorian Railways Institute which was later converted into a grand ballroom. The ballroom was a popular place in the 50s and 60s but unfortunately closed in the mid-1980s and fell into disrepair. From the basement to four floors, spaces were allotted, to be let out for shops and offices. To get an idea of the interior, you can see this film clip of Vance Joy’s 2014 film, My Kind of Man.

A popular myth about Flinders Street Station is that its design was accidentally swapped with Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus due to a clerical mistake. This can however not be proved for two reasons. Firstly it was built earlier than Flinders Street Station, secondly, the Mumbai train station which is popularly known as V T station(Short for Victoria Station)has a different architectural style.

The Flinders Street Station Clocktower was completed in 1910 as part of a grand redevelopment of the station. It is situated at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth Streets. It is 91 meters high and is adorned with classical architectural elements like Corinthian columns. Intricate detailing showcases the influence of Edwardian Baroque architecture. It looks beautiful when it is illuminated after sunset.

Flinders Street Station is a historic and cultural landmark that offers a glimpse into Melbourne’s past and present. Its green copper dome, yellow facade, and arched entrance with multiple clocks are not just a beautiful sight. The Flinders Street Railway Station Complex has a treasured place in the hearts of the people of Melbourne.

Statue of Matthew Flinders (1774-1814) near the Flinders Street Station. He was a naval officer and explorer. He was the first person to circumnavigate Australia. Flinders Street is named after him.

Photos and content by Prerna Jain