Mortuary Station
The only surviving example of purpose-built Victorian railway funerary architecture in Australia
10am–4pm
About the building
Opened in 1869, Mortuary Station was the terminus for a funeral train service that transported the deceased, mourners, clergymen and visitors to Rookwood Cemetery.
Colonial Architect James Barnet designed the single-storey sandstone station elaborately carved with funerary symbolism. The Gothic Revival building was intended to evoke the sombre ambience of a church, while also facilitating the efficient movement of people.
Mortuary Station ceased functioning as the terminus in 1938 when motor hearses started transporting the coffins, and passengers boarded trains from Central Station. After being used for various purposes through the mid-20th century, it was restored in the 1980s and today remains an intact physical reminder of 19th-century funeral customs.
It is the only surviving example of purpose-built Victorian railway funerary architecture in Australia and is no longer accessible to the public, except for Sydney Open.
Built
1869
Architect
James Barnet
Acknowledgements
The participation of Mortuary Station is made possible by Transport for NSW.
Find out more about this building here
Mortuary Station
52 Regent Street, Haymarket
Entry details
All rooms and the platforms
10am–4pm
3.30pm
Need to know
Accessible featuresAccess throughout the building, platform and pavilion is via stairs. A wheelchair ramp will be provided
Lines expectedToilets availablePhotography allowed
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