Flinders Street Station - Melbourne, Australia

Flinders Street Station is one of Melbourne's most famous landmark and it has become a symbol of the city. This grand red brick and golden stucco building sits at the intersection of Swanston and Flinders Streets. It is placed at a busy city intersection, adjacent to the Yarra River and Princess Bridge, you can't miss the building, it is crowned with a stately dome and stretching two city blocks. The bright colors and architectural lines contrast with the surrounding city buildings and developments.

The station was completed in 1911, since then, the concourse platforms and subways have been refurbished and it remains the busy hub of Melbourne's suburban railroad system.,

This is one of the most photographed place in Melbourne hundreds of people are taking a photo of this grand edifice. The domes and clock tower give the building a dominant civic presence. At night time the building is well lighted and its strategic illumination ensures that the building continues to catch the eye.

In 1899 a competition for a new station building to accommodate growing public transport needs was held. James W. Fawcett and Henry P.C Ashworth both railway workers, won with an opulent design which would provide grand gateway to the wealthy Victorian city. The building was constructed between 1905 and 1910.

The arch of the main entrance way aligned diagonally with the southwest corners of Flinders and Swanston Streets heralds passenger arrival and departure.

The building has a half-moon window beneath which a series of clock faces the departure time. Above is a grand magnificent dome, while down at the Elizabeth Street intersection a clock tower draws further attention to the building.

At the top of the steps to the main entrance is a row of clocks to show the departure times of the suburban trains and "I'll meet you under the clocks" has only one meaning for the people of Melbourne. It refers to the row of clocks above the main entrance, which indicate the departure time of the next train on each line .

Flinders Street Station has been both a transit and meeting place throughout its history. Throughout the day people use the steps beneath the main entrance's clock as a meeting place. Many sit on the steps to watch the pedestrian traffic pass by.

When the original analogue clocks were replaced for a short time with digital clocks, there was an immediate outcry and the original clocks were quickly returned.

The Flinders Street Station is a hub of massive rail network and each work day thousands of commuter walk through its turnstiles making it the busiest rail station in Australia.

• Platform No. 1 is 708 meters (2,323 feet) and is the longest in Australia and the fourth longest in the world.

Best place to stay in the city is to check Melbourne Accommodation for quality, affordable hotels where you can enjoy your stay in this vibrant city, whether it is for business or for leisure travel.