Melbourne’s Iconic Campbell Arcade To Re-Open
The Allan Labor Government will re-open Campbell Arcade tomorrow as Metro Tunnel works prepare to connect passengers to Flinders Street Station and the new Town Hall Station.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today visited the 70-year-old arcade which has undergone an extensive restoration as part of the Metro Tunnel Project.
The arcade was closed in 2022 to build the pedestrian link between Flinders Street Station and the Metro Tunnel’s new Town Hall Station, one of five stations opening later this year, a year ahead of schedule.
The pedestrian link will run from Town Hall Station under Flinders Street, tracking behind the Campbell Arcade before joining up – giving people the option to access Flinders Street Station or enter the Arcade.
Passengers will also be able to access the arcade through Flinders Street Station and Degraves Street – creating another access point to Melbourne’s busiest stations.
Works have included replacing the ceiling, upgrading lighting and restoring the 1950s-era heritage features including tiled shop fronts and display cases – with the arcade still showcasing its pink-tiled curved walls, granite columns and prominent windows.
The arcade was completed in 1955 and was the first major public construction project in Melbourne after World War II and was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2015.
Plans for the arcade as part of the Metro Tunnel Project were developed in consultation with Heritage Victoria after public consultation.
The Metro Tunnel Project has worked with the arcade’s previous tenants throughout the project, including relocating tenants to new premises in the leadup to construction – and the arcade’s eight shopfronts will open later this year, with tenancy applications underway.
The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Melbourne’s rail network in more than 40 years and will free up capacity in the City Loop to run more trains more often across more lines.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
“Campbell Arcade will open to passengers tomorrow and it will soon form part of the connection between Flinders Street Station and the new Town Hall Station, opening later this year.”
“The Metro Tunnel will transform the way people travel across Melbourne and will allow people to catch a train to Parkville and St Kilda Road for the very first time – helping more people get to where they need to go.”
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
“The revamped Campbell Arcade will offer a unique passageway between Flinders Street and the new Town Hall Station – and is another big milestone as we build towards the opening of the Metro Tunnel later this year.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/250727-Melbourne%27s-Iconic-Campbell-Arcade-To-Reopen.pdf