Merri station is a railway station operated by Metro Trains Melbourne on the Mernda line, which is part of the Melbourne rail network. It serves the north-eastern suburb of Northcote, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Merri station is a ground level unstaffed station, featuring two side platforms. It opened on 8 October 1889, with the current station provided in 1910.
Initially opened as Northcote, the station was given its current name of Merri on 10 December 1906.
History
Merri station opened on 8 October 1889, when the Inner Circle line was extended from North Fitzroy to Reservoir. The original conception of the station was to act as a major junction in a planned "North Suburban Railway System. The Argus reported in 1887 that; "The Station at Union-street, as shown on our plan, must necessarily be the most important in the Northern System, as lines branch from this point to Preston and Whittlesea on the north; Heidelberg, Kew, &.c., on the east; Carlton, Royal-park, North Melbourne, and Spencer-street on the south-west; Fitzroy, East Melbourne, and Flinders-street on the south; and if the alternative route is adopted, Clifton-hill, Collingwood, Richmond, and Flinders street on the south east.",The Argus 9 December 1887 while land sale plans advertised the upcoming construction of the Grand Central Junction Station"."Fitzroy Junction Estate" land sale advertisement 1887
In 1910, the station building was rebuilt to accommodate an increased population in the area.Darebin Heritage Study 2000 - Merri - Northcote
The nearby level crossing at Charles Street had hand-operated gates until 1924, when they were replaced with interlocked gates, operated from the nearby signal box, following several serious traffic accidents.The Argus, 13 Nov 1924 In 1986, these gates were replaced with boom barriers. In 1987, the signal box was abolished.
In 1973, both platforms were extended at the down end of the station.
During October 1987, the double line block system between Merri – Northcote was abolished, and replaced with three position signalling, with all two position signals between Merri – Thornbury also abolished.
Merri was part of a $21.9 million package in the 2022/23 Victorian State Budget, alongside other stations, to receive improvements for safety and accessibility. As of 2026, Merri has received new accessible platform shelters on both platforms, new CCTV cameras and real-time passenger information displays.
Platforms and services Merri has two side platforms. It is served by Mernda line trains.
Merri platform arrangementPlatformLineDestinationService TypeSource1Flinders StreetAll stations and limited express services2MerndaAll stations
Transport links Dysons operates one bus route via Merri station: : Moonee Ponds Junction – Westgarth station
Yarra Trams operates two routes via Merri station: : West Preston – Victoria Harbour (Docklands) : Bundoora RMIT – Waterfront City (Docklands)
References
External links Melway map at street-directory.com.au