Railway Square, Sydney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Railway Square Sydney, New South Wales
Railway Square tram interchange early 1900s
Railway Square Location in New South Wales
LGA(s)	City of Sydney
Localities around Railway Square: Sydney CBD Sydney CBD Sydney CBD Haymarket Railway Square Surry Hills Ultimo Broadway Chippendale

Railway Square is a busy public space in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's located at the southern edge of the city's main business area. This square is where several important streets meet, including Broadway, Lee Street, Pitt Street, and George Street.

Railway Square is a very active intersection and a major hub for buses. Nearby, you'll find the University of Technology, Central railway station, and the former Kent Brewery.

A Look Back: Railway Square's History

Railway Square in 1910, showing early transport.

Railway Square in 2016, looking much different.

Railway Square was once called Central Square. In the 1800s and early 1900s, it was a very important shopping area. This was because the Central railway station was right next door. Many hotels were also built nearby to welcome visitors arriving by train.

Big department stores like Marcus Clark had shops around Central Square. The Parcel Post Office, a building for sending mail, was built in 1913. It was designed by a government architect named George McRae. Later, this building was updated and became the Medina Hotel.

Trams and Buses at the Square

This area was also a busy spot for Sydney's electric tramways. Trams were like electric streetcars that ran all over the city. The tram system closed down in the late 1950s.

Until the 1990s, Railway Square had a special bus terminal in its middle. It had three platforms for buses. These platforms were connected by an underground walkway, which was an extension of the Devonshire Street Tunnel. You could reach the tunnel using escalators.

In 1999, Railway Square was updated. It now has two bus platforms, lifts, and a cafe. It also provides easy access to the University of Technology. The area features cool public art by Merilyn Fairskye. This art includes murals, lit-up wall panels, and four towers with colorful steel ribbons. These ribbons represent the four elements: Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. Today, Railway Square is known for its tall glass bus terminal and the four artistic light towers. It's still a major hub for State Transit Authority bus routes.

The Old Railway Tunnel Underneath

Railway Square has more than just the pedestrian tunnel running below it. There's also an old railway tunnel at the southern end. This tunnel is called the Darling Dive.

Sydney's Oldest Railway Tunnel

The Darling Dive tunnel was part of the Metropolitan Goods line. This line used to connect the main railway lines from Central Station to Darling Harbour. This tunnel is actually the oldest railway tunnel in New South Wales! It is no longer used for trains.

The part of the old railway line between the tunnel and the Powerhouse Museum has been turned into a park. It's now a walking path called The Goods Line. The section of the line beyond the Powerhouse Museum has been changed into a light rail track.

Gallery

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  Central Station clock tower

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  Mortuary Station

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  Marcus Clark Building

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  Former Parcels Post office

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  Railway Square looking north 1945

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  Early 1900s with Christ Church St Laurence in view

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  Christ Church St Laurence, today

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  The square in the late 1890s

Images for kids

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  A dray, a Ford and a Morris Oxford Roadster, both 1932 models, in summer rain, Railway Square, Sydney, Jan 1935