Flinders Street Station, Melbourne

If you’re standing at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets and wondering why everyone else is looking up—congrats, you’ve found Flinders Street Station! It opened in 1854 as the terminus of Australia’s very first railway, back when “catching a train” meant something closer to “braving an experiment.” Today, it’s still one of Melbourne’s busiest transport hubs, funneling commuters across the suburbs and deep into the city’s daily rhythm.

The building you see now arrived later, finished in 1909. It’s an Edwardian creation that doesn’t believe in subtlety—domes, arches, towers, and enough ornamentation to fuel a century of urban legends. The curious fact associated with this building is that its design was mistakenly swapped with plans for Victoria Terminus in Bombay. No proof, however, but the rumour is almost as iconic as the station itself. Heritage-listed and instantly recognisable, it remains one of Melbourne’s most photographed faces.

And then there are the clocks. If someone in Melbourne tells you to meet them “under the clocks,” they’re not being poetic—that’s the row of indicator clocks above the main entrance. Another classic rendezvous point here is “On the steps.” Basically, this station doubles as both a transit hub and the city’s unofficial meeting app...

Its location doesn’t hurt either. Step outside and you’re right beside Federation Square, the Yarra River, and the maze of laneways, cafés, and arcades that make up the Central Business District. A truly perfect launchpad for whatever you’re doing next...

Indeed, whenever you're in Melbourne, even if you’re not catching a train, this building is always a delight to look at. The food inside is tempting, and—bonus—the station turns into a glowing postcard at night. So, make sure to have a camera handy; it likes the attention...