Historic SitesChurches & Cathedrals

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Monday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

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About

St Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a beautiful, historic building, situated in the centre of the City of Melbourne, Australia. It is a place of worship and prayer. St Paul's is built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were led by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836. Soon afterwards a small wooden chapel was built elsewhere, and the area became a corn market until 1848, when it was made available for the building of the bluestone St Paul's Parish Church. Consecrated in 1852, this Church was used until 1885, when it was demolished to make way for the present Cathedral. The decision to build on the site of the existing church was made because of its proximity to the railway and soon to be completed cable tramway service. The Swanston Street and Flinders Street corner remains one of Melbourne's busiest intersections today, ensuring the Cathedral is a place at the heart of city life.

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The area

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Neighborhood: Central Business District

Full of discovery and delight, Melbourne’s laneways tease the imagination long after you’ve put your weary feet up to rest. They weave through the heart of the city: cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques, throbbing with conversation and espresso coffee. You never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner: cobblestone alleys, old beer barrel hoists and even vats of simmering organic soup. There is the air of Berlin in the street art, a touch of Paris in the umbrella-shaded cafes and, reminiscent of Rome, eateries tucked away in the most unlikely of places. Perhaps you might want a break and cross the Yarra River to Southbank - walk along the promenade, bask in the sun at a waterside bar and decide whether to go to the nearby casino or book a ticket at the Melbourne theatre company.

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See what travelers are saying

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,594 contributions
Part of the continuing Anglican tradition
St Paul's Anglican Cathedral is handsome; it has played a role in many religious and community events. St Paul's is mainly built of granite and sandstone. St Paul's part of the continuing Anglican tradition in Australia, St Paul's is an old building, with much to offer. The Cathedral has a prime location, at the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street.
Visited October 2023
Traveled with friends
Written November 23, 2023
smiler1956
Birmingham, United Kingdom602 contributions
Visit
Popped into the Cathedral during a visit to Melbourne. What a beautiful building. Such amazing architecture within a very modern city. The interior is amazing, and we gatecrashed a wedding, so was extra special. No entrance fee, they just seek a donation, and have a very good gift shop. Great way to spend and hour or so just thinking, admiring and praying.
Visited November 2023
Traveled as a couple
Written February 7, 2024
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,594 contributions
Cathedral's interior is stunning
In the middle of the middle of the 18th century, a small town in Australia became the richest city in the world. The Great Australian Gold Rush brough enormous wealth and ambition. Marvelous Melbourne. The Gold Rush inspired the construction of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral. Today, St Paul's is both recognized as one of Australia's iconic buildings. The stunning interior has been created over centuries by a combination of worship and Christian philanthropy.
Visited February 2024
Traveled with friends
Written March 6, 2024

These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

1,441 reviews

Excellent

708

Very good

583

Average

137

Poor

11

Terrible

2

Michael

Woking, UK255 contributions

Lovely architecture

Jan 2020 • Couples

St. Paul's Cathedral is located opposite the iconic Flinders Street Station and it is really beautiful.

It is free to enter and look around, but you are not allowed to take photos of the inside unless you have a license which is available inside the cathedral.

We only spent around 20 minutes looking inside the cathedral which I think is enough time to take in the beauty and unique features. You can also attend mass at certain times which are listed outside the cathedral.

I would recommend visiting if you're staying in Melbourne!

Written February 14, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

amandaharvey2018

Newcastle, Australia21 contributions

Beautiful building inside and out with free entry

Feb 2020

A lovely place to visit and full of history. Although free to enter, if you are wanting to take any photos then you will have to pay $5 for the privilege but its worth it. No guided tours to fill you in on it's history however plenty to read when you're in there

Written March 5, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jen H

Geelong, Australia76 contributions

School visit

Jul 2019

Wonderful architecture. Students loved the building, reading about the history of this cathedral and were fascinated by the stories told in the stained glass windows. Please remember if you want to take photos to do the right thing and purchase a photo pass

Written February 14, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christina C

Coquitlam, Canada6,336 contributions

Elegant and beautiful

Feb 2019

This is an Anglican Cathedral on Flinders Street, completed in 1891. The spires were built from 1926 to 1932. The interior is elegant and beautiful with green and beige sand stone columns supporting arches with a high ceiling,stained glass windows and a gorgeous carved pipe organ. You need to buy a photo licence to take photos. On the day we went to visit, it was in the middle of mass. We stayed a little while and ventured to another place. Happy Travelling!

Written January 9, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KarenM1_10

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan1,043 contributions

Beautiful

Jan 2020

The Cathedral is very beautiful inside and out. When we arrived a church service was taking place so we visited the Gift Shop to purchase a post card of the interior. Definitely worth a stop since it’s located near Federation Square.

Written April 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

juliebfromindy

Indianapolis, IN2,503 contributions

Beautiful windows!

Feb 2020 • Couples

We were walking past this beautiful and stopped in on a whim. It is magnificent!! I highly suggest if in area go inside! The windows are breathtaking and there is the most beautiful organ. You have do give a donation to take photos but pay the money it’s so worth it. There is a little gift shop and candles to purchase if you’d light to light one. There is a ramp outside so it is quite easy to access.

Written February 20, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MichaelaW_04

Burton upon Trent, UK353 contributions

Glorious architecture!

Jan 2020

What a beautiful, historic building amongst all the modern styles and opposite the iconic Flinders Station. Lovely space for a quiet hour away from the hustle and bustle. You are only allowed to take photos if you purchase a licence, but otherwise it is free to walk around.

Written February 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kirkcaldylad

North Lanarkshire, UK1,561 contributions

A place of really beauty and peace.

Feb 2020 • Solo

Even though I lived in this city for years in the past, I had not visited the cathedral before. I wish I had. The exterior is impressive but the interior is far more rewarding. The floor tile tessellation is superb as is the stonework in its varied colours. It is clearly a working church and the welcome was genuine.

Written February 22, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Richard T

Burnley, UK1,263 contributions

Average

Mar 2020

Nothing spectacular, but well worth a visit. Seems odd that they charge for taking photos, and charge fixed fees for lighting a candle. What ever happened to the concept of making a donation - not impressed with the commercialism.

Written March 15, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndyJohn74

Sydney, Australia5,247 contributions

Open on a Sunday For a service

Feb 2021 • Solo

St Paul’s Cathedral was open for a Sunday Service so I popped in for a minute to have a look at the interior. There a great amount of grandeur inside this cathedral. Listening to the elegant sounds a building like this enhances is quite special as well.

Written February 20, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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