Southern Cross Station in Melbourne is the most important transport link in the State of Victoria and since it redevelopment really can be proud to call itself one of the best in Australia. There are also new facilities for rail, bus and taxi passengers.
The City Loop in Melbourne is formed by 5 stations across the city, one of which is Southern Cross Station; most of them are underground stations. Southern Cross and Flinders are the only two stations that are above ground.
All V/Line trains and the majority of coach services operate from Southern Cross. There is a retail plaza at Southern Cross station, three office and apartment complexes and the area is merged with the docklands, it really is a consolidated transport hub.
The first train left from Southern Cross station in 1859 on the 13th January, there was a public holiday announced so that the city folk could witness the first departure of the very first train leaving the station.
Batman's Hill Station changed its name to Spencer Street Station and then finally to Southern Cross. In the 1890s there was a major development when a viaduct linked Flinders Street to Southern Cross and then the line was electrified to bring it right up to date.
There are 16 different lines linking into and out of the station so Southern Cross really is the most important station in the network. As with all major network hubs, the station has become part of the community rather than just a station.
