Southern Cross Railway Station (Melbourne, Australia)
Welcome to Southern Cross Railway Station!
Modernised in the early 2000s, Melbourne’s Southern Cross Railway Station is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most innovative and contemporary train stations. Previously known as Spencer Street Station, this major rail terminus set between Collins and La Trobe Streets started life as a single-platform station way back in 1859. Now a gleaming airport-style vault of mass transit convenience, Southern Cross Station boasts 16 platforms, 22 tracks, and is one of five stations on the the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop (MURL) that carries thousands of passengers (mostly underground) around Melbourne’s vast central business district (CBD) every day. Along with a host of local, state-wide and long distance train services, Southern Cross Station operates several metropolitan, regional and interstate bus services, including the Skybus service to and from Melbourne Airport.
With so many travel options on hand, it’s easy to see why more than 1.2 million passengers use this state-of-the-art transit hub every single week.
What’s in and Around Southern Cross?
While catching a train, tram or bus is likely to be your main reason for visiting Southern Cross, making a connection certainly isn’t the only thing to do in this lively part of the city. If you only have a little time to spare before your departure is called, use the time to appreciate the glorious contemporary architecture on show, most notably the wave-like roof system which covers an entire city block (60,000 square metres). When you take it all in, you’ll understand why the station won the prestigious Lubetkin Prize for most outstanding building outside the European Union. If you’ve a little more time then check out the many dining, drinking and shopping venues around the station. The adjacent Spencer Outlet Centre and the DFO near Southern Cross are particularly big draws, the latter offering very pleasant riverside walks and some lovely river views. If time’s really on your side and you’re into your sport then be sure to catch an Aussie Rules game at the nearby Marvel Stadium. It’s only a short walk away from Southern Cross Station parking and provides a great atmosphere when the place is packed out with 50,000+ fans on matchday!
Places to Stay Nearby
Being on the western edge of the CBD (effectively the Docklands district) ensures a wealth of Melbourne accommodation options surround Southern Cross Station. Those in need or want of a supremely polished place to lay their head will get their whims well and truly indulged at the luxe InterContinental Melbourne. As historic as it is grand, this swish affair on Collins Street evokes echoes of the Golden Age of travel with its 19th-century architecture and charming old interiors. Mid-range options abound, although our pick is the sleek Atlantis Hotel Melbourne, a stylish high-rise offering replete with gym, sauna and indoor pool. Budget travellers have plenty of good options too, although the quaint and really rather excellent French restaurant at the ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel sees it top of our list of economy stays.
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