Visit Us

Helpful information to prepare for your visit to St Paul’s Cathedral. We look forward to welcoming you.

How much does it cost to enter?
There is no charge to enter the Cathedral for visiting or personal prayer, however we do encourage visitors to make a donation to help support the ongoing work and ministry.

Do I need to book?
Bookings are not required for general visiting. Occasional events and services taking place in the Cathedral require advance booking, further details can be found on our website here.

What Covid Safe Measures are in place?
In line with the ‘Living with Covid’ plan:

• The Government advises that you consider wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet.
• Adults and children who test positive are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
• As a courtesy to others, please be mindful of personal space when in busy areas of the Cathedral and Shop

The Cathedral will continue to provide hand sanitiser stations for use by visitors and worshippers.

Where do I go when I arrive?
Entry to the Cathedral is via the Great West Doors on Flinders Street.

Can I take a tour of the Cathedral?
We look forward to commencing weekly Guided tours soon, in the meantime visitors can make use of the Self-Guided tour sheets available in hard copy or can be downloaded to your smartphone or other devices via QR Code.

Will services of worship be taking place?
Regular services take place on most days of the week, which you can find on our website here. During services wandering around the Cathedral is not permitted, however you are welcome to sit and participate in the service.

Visitor opening times may change at short notice due to funerals, weddings, services or exceptional circumstances. Please check our website regularly prior to your visit.

Will I be able to light a candle?
Yes. Candles will be available at two stations in the side aisles. The Ascension Chapel is also set aside for visitors to use for quiet prayer.

Do you have toilet facilities?
We do not have any Public Toilets available on site. The nearest public toilets are available in Federation Square opposite the Cathedral (about a 5-10min walk)

Is visitor parking available?
There is no on-site carparking available. For details of local car parks, please see here.

Who can I speak with if I have any questions?
Any of our staff members or volunteers will be happy to assist with any questions you may have.  

We are delighted to be able to welcome school visits back to the Cathedral. We’ve taken steps to ensure that all our activities are run in a safe and effective way, with the health of staff and students our top priority.

A warm welcome awaits from our team of guides, who bring alive the wonderful history of the Cathedral as an ancient sacred space and its story of faith.

What we offer

• We welcome learners of all ages, cultures, faiths and backgrounds to experience the Cathedral.
• We work with school groups to develop creative and informative tours to meet learning outcomes.
• We want learners to feel amazed, curious and eager to discover more.
• We want students to feel able and willing to return.

Bookings

Advance bookings are required for both Guided tours and Self-Guided visits. It is strongly recommended that schools book visits to the Cathedral well in advance. Early confirmation of numbers and specific requirements allows the Cathedral to plan appropriately. Schools that do not pre-brook may have to wait or only be allowed limited access to the Cathedral due to other events and services.

Contact the Cathedral Office on 9653 433 or welcome@stpaulscathedral.org.au to make an inquiry or to book.

Important Information for School Groups

Arrival and Departure
The Cathedral is located in a very busy CBD location – teachers should make themselves aware of the hazards associated with crossing roads, alighting from or boarding transport and ensure active supervision of students at all times.

The Cathedral has no storage available for visiting groups. All belongings must remain on the person for the duration of the visit. No responsibility is taken by the Cathedral for personal belongings and it is recommended valuables are not brought onto site.

Ramp access is available to and inside the Cathedral. Lifts are available in the Cathedral Education and Ministry Centre.

Moving Around the Cathedral
Teachers are responsible for the ongoing supervision of students at all times.

Public toilets are available in Federation Square.

First aid boxes are available in the Cathedral, however it cannot be guaranteed that a first aid trained member of staff will be on duty. All accidents/incidents must be reported to a member of staff either the concierge, verger or the events officer. In cause of an emergency or severe medical issue the Cathedral will contact 000.  Where students have special medical needs teachers or school support staff should carry with them the required medication for the appropriate medical response.

Food and drink are not permitted in the Cathedral. Water bottles with a lid are allowed.

The Cathedral is a major tourist attraction and also a place of prayer. Students and groups are asked to be respectful of other groups and/or visitors using the Cathedral during their visit. Please keep noise to a minimum.

Child Saftey Standards
St Paul’s Cathedral is strongly committed to safeguarding the children and vulnerable people who participate in our services and other activities. A copy of the Child Safe Policies and Code of Conduct can be found here.

Emergencies
In the case of an emergency, Cathedral Staff will advise and direct all visitors on appropriate action. Cathedral Staff will provide direction to the teacher in charge of the group and this person is responsible for ensuring compliance with the directions by all students.

COVID-19 Information
We are continuing to monitor and follow government and diocesan guidelines to ensure the safety of all. For the latest guidelines, please see our COVID-19 Information Page here. A copy of our COVID Safe Plan can be requested at the time of booking.

Our Cathedral Guides are ready and waiting to welcome your group to the Cathedral and share its wonderful history and stories with you. Tours are often the highlight of many groups’ visits and we can tailor your tour around your interests.

You can book a guided tour for groups of 5 people or more. Guided Tours last between 30 and 40 minutes and we ask for a donation of $5 per person attending the tour.

To make a booking please contact the Cathedral Office on welcome@stpaulscathedral.org.au  or 03 9653 4333.

The Cathedral is Victoria’s most visited sacred place, with over 400,000 visitors a year. Come and enjoy the peace, the time to pray, and God’s loving presence with you here.

Opening Times (Free Admission)

Read More “Plan your Visit”

St Paul’s Cathedral Gift Shop stocks a wide range of gifts, handcrafts and devotional items, that make great souvenirs of a visit to St Paul’s. 

The Cathedral shop is undergoing an exciting redevelopment with a new shop to be launched in early 2022 until then purchases can be made via our online shop

Read More “Cathedral Shop”

Stained glass windows were originally incorporated into gothic churches to convey Bible stories in a colourful visual form at a time when not everyone in a population could read, nor had access to a bible of their own.

Today, the windows in St Paul’s Cathedral provide an opportunity for people who have little or no knowledge of the biblical narrative to engage with Bible stories with a storyteller.

Read More “Stories Under the Windows”