[3] Rockdale station opened on 15 October 1884 on the same date as the Illawarra line from Redfern to Hurstville with two side platforms.

[3] Rockdale station is unusual in that it initially provided a rail connection for coal transfer and passengers for Saywell's Private Tramway.

This was originally a steam powered tramway operation, which began running from Rockdale to Brighton on Botany Bay from 1885.

[3] In 1920 a steel footbridge from the Maitland District was re-erected, followed in 1922 by the timber overhead booking office.

The original signal box was built on the north end of Platform 2-3 but in 1923 was replaced by the present (disused) brick elevated box on the western side of the line, east of the T junction of Railway Street and Oakura Street.

Its frame consisted of a combination of pistol grip and large mechanical levers, the last example in New South Wales.

Along both Railway Street and Geeves Avenue adjacent to the station are extensive bus shelters.

Adjacent and to the south of the western entry to the station (off Railway Street) is a distinctive 2-storey brick Inter-War Functionalist style retail building.

The building's west elevation features stucco mouldings, and timber double doors with glazed upper panels.

[3] The interior features timber tongue and grooved, and later gyprock ceilings, and a chimney breast to one room.

The asphalt platform surface is raised from the original height and partially covers some building vents.

[3] A weatherboard building with a hipped corrugated steel roof with a large gable facing Platform 2/3 to the north.

The footbridge supports the weatherboard overhead booking office (1920), and modern corrugated steel clad entry buildings and lifts have been constructed at east and west ends.

[3] Various modern platform canopies with steel posts with concrete bases and green corrugated Colorbond gabled roofs.

The development of the station has included the construction of Platform 1 to service trams (which ceased operation in 1938).

[3] Rockdale railway station was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria.

[3] The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

The station as a whole is of historical significance for its role as a major transport hub for the Rockdale region since 1884.

[3] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The platform buildings are of aesthetic significance as good examples of railway architecture of their respective types and periods.

[3] The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

[3] The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

[3] This Wikipedia article contains material from Rockdale Railway Station Group, entry number 01238 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 2 June 2018.