Melbourne’s new Anzac Station pedestrian underpass beneath St Kilda Road is now open, connecting Victorians to iconic landmarks.
Premier Jacinta Allan; Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman, joined military veterans and Shrine of Remembrance CEO, Dean Lee to open the 120-metre-long walkway.
“This Sunday, trains will carry passengers to Anzac Station for the first time – and with Melbourne’s first tram-train interchange right above it, you’ll be able to step off a tram and straight onto a train,” said Minister Williams.
Built 15 metres underground, the underpass safely connects Victorians to the Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Road Reserve, and the Albert Park and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix precinct.
The underpass is open to everyone with no Myki required. The entrances at the edge of the Shrine and Albert Road Reserve take people straight down to the underpass, making it easier and safer to move through one of Melbourne’s busiest precincts without having to cross six lanes of traffic.
Etched glass panels feature species tied to Australia’s military history – including the Lone Pine, Gallipoli Oak, Gallipoli Rose, Flanders Poppy, Lombardy Poplar and Rosemary. These plants grew where Australians fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.
A Path of Remembrance runs from the station to the Shrine, marked by eleven bronze poppies symbolising the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Set into bluestone with etched poppy fields, the walkway will lead passengers directly from Anzac Station to the Shrine.
Bronze sculptures of two Victorian‑bred carrier pigeons stand at the entrance – both awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery in World War II. One saved a stranded boat in New Guinea, the other carried a warning under heavy fire on Manus Island.
“Every year, tens of thousands of Victorians come to the Shrine to pay their respects – and now it’ll be even easier to travel there by train or tram, arriving safely through this important underpass,” said Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman.
As part of Anzac Station works, thousands of workers realigned St Kilda Road three times and built Melbourne’s first tram-train interchange with extra-long platforms that can fit four trams at once to cater for events like Anzac Day and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
Albert Road Reserve has also been upgraded with seating, barbecues and the restored South African Soldiers’ Memorial. Nearby, South Yarra Siding Reserve has been improved with better lighting, landscaping and accessibility.
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Victoria’s rail network in 40 years. When it opens on Sunday, it will double the size of Melbourne’s underground rail system, add hundreds of new services each week, and pave the way for more trains, more often – right across the network.
