Central Station Clock Tower — Attraction in Sydney

Review: Central Station Clock Tower, Sydney

Overview The Central Station Clock Tower is one of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, located at Sydney Central Station, the city’s main transportation hub. Built in the early 20th century, the tower stands about 85 meters tall and features Edwardian Baroque architecture, making it a striking historical structure.

Highlights • Classic Architecture – Completed in 1921, the tower is part of Sydney’s rich railway history and boasts an elegant, old-world design. • Former Viewing Platform – Once accessible to the public for panoramic views of the city, but unfortunately, it is no longer open. • Significant Landmark – Easily recognizable from a distance, it serves as a symbol of Sydney’s transport network.

How to Get There • Located within Sydney Central Station, making it easily accessible by train, tram, and bus. • A short walk from Haymarket, Chinatown, and Darling Harbour, perfect for exploring nearby attractions.

Verdict Although visitors can no longer climb to the top, the Central Station Clock Tower remains a must-see for architecture enthusiasts and history lovers. It’s also a great spot for photography while exploring Sydney.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) ✔️ Ideal for history buffs and photography enthusiasts ❌ No access to...

Central Station is unique as a major sandstone public building, reflecting the status of this major new piece of infrastructure. The building was, somewhat controversially, built as an elevated terminus, necessitating the need for a large building presence to the newly-formed Eddy Avenue. The railway was originally planned to extend to (and resume much of) Hyde Park, but the current location was eventually agreed upon and construction began in 1901. When the station was opened in 1906 it was still incomplete, and it was not until 1921 that the Clock Tower was built.

Although noting some of the deficiencies in the design of the station (specifically, turning Devonshire Street into a “miserable pedestrian tunnel”), the prominent Sydney Architects, Philip Thalis and Peter John Cantrill, highlight in their magnificent publication Public Sydney (co-published by the Historic House trust and the University of NSW in 2013) that the clock tower was “skillfully placed to align to many nearby streets including Broadway, Wentworth Avenue, and Pitt, Valentine, Albion and Foveaux Streets.” This is key to its...

Sydney’s Central Station is not just the city’s main transport hub—it’s also one of its most beautiful heritage landmarks. The grand colonial-style architecture, with its sandstone façade and iconic clock tower, makes it stand out as more than just a station. Walking through the concourse, you can really appreciate the history and design that give it such a timeless character.

At the same time, Central is the busiest station in Sydney, and you feel it the moment you arrive. The constant movement of commuters rushing to catch trains, light rail, or buses brings an energy that’s almost comparable to big-city hubs like Hong Kong. It’s lively, dynamic, and truly the heartbeat of Sydney’s transport network.

For anyone visiting the city, Central Station is both a practical gateway and a piece of living history worth...