St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne (must see)

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral—rising from Eastern Hill—practically announces itself as one of Australia’s most commanding religious landmarks. Indeed, this Gothic Revival giant has been stopping people in their tracks since the 19th century.

Its story started when Melbourne’s Catholic population ballooned during the gold rush—because nothing attracts crowds like the promise of fortune... In 1848, Bishop James Goold arrived in Melbourne with big ambitions and a keen eye for real estate. Having quickly realised he needed more than just a modest chapel, Goold secured this hilltop site in 1851.

Architect William Wardell was brought in to sketch a Gothic Revival masterpiece worthy of a rising city. The plans were bold, soaring, and dramatic… His blueprint channelled medieval England with a Melbourne twist, all built in brooding bluestone and sandstone for maximum gravitas.

Although ready early on, the project didn't progress very swiftly. Amid the gold rush, with half the colony's workforce off chasing fortune, the actual construction didn’t get moving until 1858. Over the following decades, sections appeared piece by piece: nave, choir, transepts—like a very long, very serious architectural jigsaw...

Economic troubles in the 1890s slowed everything further, but perseverance won out, and the cathedral was finally consecrated in 1897. Still, the iconic trio of spires was fashionably late and arrived only in 1939. Once in place, they crowned the cathedral as the tallest church site in Australia (a title it still holds), soaring to 103 metres, as if trying to tap the heavens on the shoulder...

Inside, the grandeur continues with stained glass that glows like jewellery, intricate timber carvings, and an elaborate high-altar reredos—all nods to the Irish heritage of Melbourne’s early Catholic community, who saw the cathedral as both a spiritual home and a cultural anchor. And while the décor is historic, the building itself hasn’t been left to age quietly; careful conservation has kept it looking as commanding as ever.

Today, Saint Patrick’s welcomes visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you’ll often find friendly volunteers ready to share stories, point out hidden details, or explain why Wardell loved Gothic Revival as much as he did.

Tip:
Check for services before stepping inside. When the cathedral isn’t hosting worship, you’re free to wander, linger, admire the stained glass, and capture your perfect photo of those soaring spires.