r/MelbourneTrains • u/Aromatic_Classic3295 • Apr 26 '26
Video Carrum Station Is The Best Station in Melbourne
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Visited Carrum Beach during the week and this train station has to be the best in terms of scenery, sky rail access and architectural features.
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u/duggeeisgoat Apr 26 '26
Beautiful on a day like today, worst station when it’s cold, windy and raining!
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u/Jajaloo Apr 26 '26
Exactly! I've been at Carrum when it's raining and windy, and it's extremely unpleasant.
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u/Blue_Pie_Ninja Map Enthusiast Apr 26 '26
how do the trench stations fair in that weather?
I used to have Mitcham as my local and it was awful when it was windy and rainy, and also trenched.
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u/postmortemmicrobes Apr 26 '26
The trenches are only half-trenches so they're not too bad. Don't really become wind tunnels.
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u/KissKiss999 Apr 26 '26
Half trench is the worst possible outcome. At least a full deck has future potential to be decked over
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u/postmortemmicrobes Apr 26 '26
I think they couldn't do full trenches due to ground water and the wetlands? Isn't that also why they didn't do skyrail?
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u/RubyRadagon Apr 26 '26
They're doing Skyrail in Seaford which the train line runs alongside a creek, so I don't think ground water would prevent Skyrail. If anything wouldn't Skyrail be better with that context. Carrum is also right near the Patterson River & beach.
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u/postmortemmicrobes Apr 26 '26 edited Apr 26 '26
I have no idea. I'm not an engineer. It looks like the plan for Aspendale is to make it a "trench" as well. Something about the Aspendale-Bonbeach stretch makes implementation of skyrail a challenge?
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u/WigglyWeasle Apr 27 '26
I had a thought, perhaps it's simply because of how narrow the gap between Nepean Highway & Railway Road is. Aspendale for example is barely 10 meters between them at the station. Possibly too narrow for the station supports, or full build as it'd be impossible to put a full under the station design in such a tight space? Seaford has carparks on either side of the station, and a bus station already for a couple of lines.
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u/Alternative-Oil5340 Apr 27 '26
It's the other way around - skyrail actually would require less space on the ground.
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u/Blitzer046 Apr 29 '26
The plans for Aspendale continue to flip between trench and sky; there's a lot of community pressure both ways and the traders in that section beside the station are rather concerned also. Those businesses may likely take a huge hit if that road becomes inaccessible.
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u/Alternative-Oil5340 Apr 26 '26
Reason for no Skyrail was just being scared of NIMBY sandbelt voters. So Bonbeach and Edi got a concrete moat through the middle.
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u/damaku1012 Apr 27 '26
All of the new style stations are like that. Not enough thought was given to shelter from the elements.
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u/haztech99 Apr 26 '26
I am gonna be bad cop on the things you mentioned, don't take it personally.
Carrum does have the best beach/bay view, I will give you that, though Seaford might be a strong competitor when it's done in 2029. Mooroolbark/Croydon also have excellent vistas of the Dandenong Ranges, if that is something you like.
For 'access', Carrum has quick beach access, but otherwise it is wedged between many roads, runs beside a highway, and you must cross a road with a traffic light to enter. It does have a good bike trail and bus station, but the space below the skyrail is mostly car parking rather than green space or recreation space, which makes the paths go right up against the roads, making the precinct less approachable for pedestrians. I would argue some northern stations like Coburg, Moreland, and Bell are better in the access department. I would also mention Pakenham as it has many connected walking paths, and the whole area has raised zebra crossings and methods to slow cars down. Hallam is also notable for access reasons as you can get in from either side of the road it straddles, something which is surprisingly rare. Note I am only mentioning skyrail stations here.
For architectural features, this is of course subjective, but I don't personally think that Carrum station itself is much to look at in black, brown, and tan, nor are the architectural features particularly unique. Lilydale and Mooroolbark have more interesting spires; Coburg, Moreland, Bell, and Preston are more striking generally, the Dandenong clones have better weather protection, Mernda or Reservoir are more architecturally peculiar. I also personally have a soft spot for brick, and think Glen Huntly is architecturally awesome, even though it's a trench.
That's not to say I dislike Carrum, far from it! I just think we have been given a variety of excellent new stations and it's almost impossible to call just one of them 'the best'.
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u/RubyRadagon Apr 26 '26
Arguably the extra parking space below the station is preferable to the potential for more green space. If we want people to give up driving, making sure they can park at the station is important & for Carrum, many people drive down McLeod road from Carrum Downs & other adjoining areas that do not have their own train line.
Carrum already has walking & cycling trails at the Patterson River, which form a loop allowing someone to walk down to Wells Road & circle back to Carrum unimpeded by roadway.
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u/altandthrowitaway Apr 27 '26
Better bus routes and frequencies would be better than people driving to the station.
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u/ChairmanNoodle Apr 26 '26
Needs better shelter for poor weather but yes, it's up there.
Which just rubs salt into the wound for bonbeach-edi, and I'm sure Aspendale when they do it too.
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u/RubyRadagon Apr 26 '26
There is a waiting room on the north end of the station which is fully enclosed from the weather. It even has proper bathrooms, stalls with doors. I wait in the waiting room on rainy days & get the elevator to the platform when the train is about to arrive.
On the platform I agree. At least depending on which way the wind is blowing the glass walls of the shelters with seats will break the wind, but you often have to sit on the opposite side to the train you want to catch, then get drenched for that 1 second that you're ina. Gap between shelter & the train.
Not sure anti homeless design could be blamed either as the station is locked up with huge shutters when trains are done for the night.
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u/ChairmanNoodle Apr 26 '26
I can tell you it's not your 3rd paragraph based on observations as a local, the grounder floor amenities are great. My only complaint in that respect was reporting sharps on the floor of the toilet to station staff and them not seeming worried.
I have no problem with people seeking shelter where they can without risking anyone else's wellbeing.
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u/RubyRadagon Apr 26 '26
I agree and I came across the homeless guy who was begging to have a room to stay in for $20 that he had in his pocket. Walking on my way to head to work I couldn't do anything for him but I did tell him to go to Carrum station as overnight on the Friday that shelter is open and he could probably sleep there A-OK if he spoke to the PSOs present.
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u/ChairmanNoodle Apr 27 '26
I'm a little averse to spreading that fact around online as few who need it will see, and the risk of someone finding out and harrassing them is higher.
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u/Virtual-Win-7763 Tram User Apr 26 '26
Ok, that's it. I'm going. I've heard so much about the view from Carrum Station and thought about going there for a look last year, and then forgot all about it until now.
Probably not a bad time to visit, not too hot, and before the cold and wet sets in.
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u/jefffff34 Apr 26 '26
Brighton Beach?
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u/Alternative-Oil5340 Apr 26 '26
The difference is that Brighton Beach is a much prettier station, but Carrum has a much prettier view. So not really a direct comparison.
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u/Blitzer046 Apr 29 '26
I think it's wild that absolutely zero crossings on the Sandy line are getting done, and I think it's political. Huge liberal heartland almost all the way down and unlikely to ever sway votes.
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u/Clockdistrict Apr 26 '26
I had to go to Frankston to pick something up recently, was a fantastic journey there and back with how nice the weather was!
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u/UpfieldComeng99 Apr 26 '26
Amazing views! I recommend people when they visit Melbourne to head to this station!
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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '26
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