Historic SitesChurches & Cathedrals

10:00 AM - 5:00 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

Address

Neighbourhood: 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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Best nearby

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1,469 within 10 kms

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See what travellers are saying

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,535 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
Travelled with friends
Written 23 November 2023
smiler1956
Birmingham, United Kingdom591 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
Travelled as a couple
Written 7 February 2024
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,535 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
Travelled with friends
Written 6 March 2024

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

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4.5

1,441 reviews

Excellent

708

Very good

583

Average

137

Poor

11

Terrible

2

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 9 January 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 11 April 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, IN2,504 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 20 February 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 15 February 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, UK1,563 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 22 February 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, UK1,228 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 15 March 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, Australia5,031 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 20 February 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.

adelgirl70

Greater Adelaide, Australia488 contributions

MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL IN THE CENTRE OF MELBOURNE

Apr 2022

Simply stunning and beautifully spiritual place. A quiet place to reflect right in the city centre. I don't practice religion but this place is amazing. It has such beautiful architecture which alone keeps you captivated. Warmly welcomed by the staff inside you can spend as much or a little time as you want in this stunning place and there is a small chapel where you can pray privately. Amazing mosaic floor tiles too!

Written 4 May 2022

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.

Stewarts Vacation

1,543 contributions

Peaceful atmosphere in beautiful cathedral

Mar 2023

Loved that you could wander into the peace and quiet of this beautiful cathedral and spend time admiring the ornate interior. The original baptismal font, 1891 organ and stained glass windows were of particular significance. There was a small shop selling books and other items at fair prices. Well worth a visit.

Written 31 March 2023

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.

Traveller

Melbourne, Australia17,413 contributions

Grand Architecture

June 2022

My wife and I visited this Cathedral after visiting an Exhibition at ACMI across the road. We are not religious and visited this place to admire the Grand Architecture and stained glass at the front door. There was a service taking place at the time of our visit, so we took a few photos and left.

We have been to a few dozen Cathedrals in a few dozen countries in Europe and have seen many magnificent Cathedrals, including inside the St Peter's in the Vatican City, inside the St Mark's in Venice and St Paul's in London.

Written 25 June 2022

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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