Image: Transport for NSW
Sydney’s Gadigal Metro Station has won the Special Prize for Interior at the 2025 Prix Versailles World Title, officially becoming the world’s most beautiful passenger station.
It comes only months after the station made the shortlist as one of the “Magnificent Seven” most beautiful stations, thanks in large part to the station’s contemporary and futuristic architecture.
The station has recently unveiled its new artwork, Return of the Gadi Reed, four striking cast-aluminium sculptures by First Nations artists Rowena Welsh-Jarrett, Alison Page and Dakota Dixon, placed at both station entrances.
Inspired by traditional reed necklaces created out of Gadi, the native reeds once found across the Tank Stream Valley where the station is now located, the new public art piece complements Callum Morton’s bold tiled installation The Underneath lining the walls inside both station entrances.
Successful first year for new station
Sydney Metro Chief Executive Peter Regan said the award reinforced Sydney’s reputation for world-leading transport design.
“Gadigal Station’s recognition on the world stage is a proud moment, with this award celebrating not only outstanding architecture, but a station that reflects our city’s cultural heritage,” he said.
“Gadigal Station demonstrates what can be accomplished with collaboration and when innovation, cultural respect and high-quality design come together, and we are honoured to see it recognised for having the world’s most beautiful station interior for 2025.”
Also included on the list of the Magnificent Seven were Mons Station in Mons, Belgium; Baiyun Station in Guangzhou, China; and Qasr Al Hokm Station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Since opening in August 2024, Gadigal station has welcomed around 15,700 passengers each day, and is one of six new underground stations between Central and Sydenham.
Other areas of Sydney’s metro are still in the process of development, with the opening of the Bankstown line to Marrickville delayed until September 2026.
The section between Sydenham and Bankstown has been closed since 2023, affecting around 60,000 commuters who rely on replacement buses and alternative transportation.
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