Anzac Station: Project Profile

Anzac Station is an underground multimodal interchange delivered as a core component of Melbourne’s AUD $12.58 billion Metro Tunnel Project. Located beneath St Kilda Road, the station’s architecture directly integrates the new Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham rail corridor with one of the world’s busiest tram networks, establishing a critical transport hub south of the central business district.

Technical Specifications

The construction of Anzac Station involved excavating a 300-metre-long station box to a depth of 22 metres using cut-and-cover techniques. Diaphragm walls were constructed to ensure structural integrity during the deep excavation adjacent to major road and tram infrastructure. The station’s twin tunnels were excavated by Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), which completed their journey from the eastern portal at South Yarra. A key architectural feature is the direct integration with the surface-level Domain tram interchange, facilitated by a large floating timber canopy and skylight that allows natural light to penetrate to the station concourse and platforms, enhancing passenger experience and reducing energy requirements.

Designed as a critical multimodal node, the station facilitates seamless transfer between heavy rail and Melbourne’s extensive tram network. The reconfigured St Kilda Road surface includes a tram “super-stop” capable of accommodating four trams simultaneously, directly above the station concourse. Four strategic entrance points manage passenger dispersal to surrounding destinations, including the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The station precinct also incorporates over 120 bicycle parking spaces and protected bike lanes, fully integrating active transport into the station’s design.

Key Takeaways

• Decongesting the City Loop: Anzac Station is pivotal in rerouting the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines through the new twin-bore tunnel, freeing up critical capacity in the historically congested City Loop for other metropolitan rail lines to increase service frequency.
• Creating a Southern CBD Gateway: The station establishes a new major transport gateway to Melbourne’s CBD from the south, directly serving key civic, sporting, and residential precincts that were previously disconnected from the heavy rail network.
• Future-Proofing Melbourne’s Network: As a fundamental component of the Metro Tunnel, Anzac Station provides the foundational infrastructure for future network expansions, enabling a high-frequency, turn-up-and-go metro-style service to accommodate Melbourne’s significant projected population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Anzac Station open to the public?

Anzac Station, along with the entire Metro Tunnel, officially opened for passenger services in 2025. This provides a direct connection for the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines through a new tunnel under Melbourne’s city centre.

Who built Anzac Station?

Anzac Station was constructed by the Cross Yarra Partnership, a consortium comprising Lendlease, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, and Capella Capital. The overall project was delivered by Rail Projects Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.