26 Jun 2023

Let's explore Burwood

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Burwood in Melbourne’s east is well known for its local schools, shopping, great parks and Deakin University’s largest campus - making it a great place to live, study and visit.

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East will deliver a metro rail line and underground station to this area for the very first time, making it easier for the 26,000 students and 1500 staff who travel to the university every day.

Close to the university is Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) trail, a cycling and walking track extending 20km from Blackburn Road through to Main Yarra Trail.

Let’s look at this growing suburb and its bright future.

Live like a local – 5 great things to do in Burwood

1. Take a stroll along Gardiners Creek Trail

Burwood Highway & Elgar Road, Burwood | 1-minute walk from Deakin University

The 20km Gardiners Creek Trail is great for bike riding and walking. Starting at Blackburn Road, it travels through Burwood and Ashwood before meeting the Main Yarra Trail at Toorak.

Image is showing the Gardiners creeks flowing alongside the walking track

Image shows pedestrian bridge over the Gardiners Creek

2. Discover the Deakin University Art Gallery

221 Burwood Highway | 1-minute walk from Deakin University tram stop 63

The gallery at Deakin University is open to the public and features the university’s art collections, student and alumni work and solo exhibitions by Australian artists. Entry is free from Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm. Exhibitions rotate regularly. Check out the striking sculptures on your way in, including Lotus Eater by Bruce Armstrong and I Am VI & I Am VII by Andrew Rogers.

Image shows the entrance to the Deakin University Art Gallery — Deakin University Art Gallery

Image shows art exhibition for A leg through the ceiling: the art collection of Etta and Emmanuel Hirsh — Deakin University exhibit ‘A leg through the ceiling: the art collection of Etta and Emmanuel Hirsh

3. The Settler's Shelter

15 Sinnott Street | 13-minute walk from Deakin University

The Settler’s Shelter is an example of early European settlement housing in Box Hill and early building techniques. The shelter was built in 1993 by local residents through community workshops. Next to the shelter you’ll find the Burwood Community Garden which is run by Burwood Neighbourhood House. The team will renovate the front yard of the Neighbourhood House with help from the SRL Community Projects Fund.

4. Enjoy the brand-new park, playground and barbecues along Lundgren Chain Reserve

Lundgren Chain Reserve Playground | 2-minute walk from Goold St/Station St bus stop

A new park and playground has just opened between Cumming and Gillard streets. The playground has been delivered as part of SRL East and features slides, swings, a seesaw and climbing equipment surrounded by gardens and trees. Nearby you’ll find new barbeques and picnic tables.

Residents enjoying the new and improved playground

Child looking up at new swing set at Burwood Park

Child enjoying playing on the newly created Burwood Playground.

5. Explore Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre

70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East | 6-minute walk from Middleborough Rd/Burwood Highway tram stop

Burwood Brickworks is home to more than 40 retailers and is the perfect place for a day of retail therapy. Take a break with a movie at Reading Cinemas, or a meal at the East Street dining precinct. You’ll find popular restaurants including Ichiro Izakaya Bar, Gami Chicken and Beer, Kinchacha and Rosa Mexicano.

Image shows entrance to the Brickworks Shopping Centre in Burwood.

Image shows entrance to the Ichiro cafe — Ichiro cafe

Image shows food that can be ordered at Ichiro Cafe — Ichiro Cafe

Image shows entrance to the Kinchacha cafe — Kinchacha

Image shows a Gami Chicken and beer platter — Gami Chicken and Beer

Image shows the interior of Rosa Mexicano which can be found at Burwood Brickworks — Rosa Mexicano

A local perspective

$Image of owner Scarlett outside her cafe, Bells and Whistles Caf\u00e9$

'I’ve been in Burwood all my life - 23 years - and working in Burwood is just fantastic. Because Burwood has Deakin, it’s going to be fantastic for SRL to have that connectivity between lots of different suburbs.'

Scarlet, Owner - Bells and Whistles Café

Image showing Lecturer at Deakin University, Peter discussing the benefits of SRL

'Deakin University is a great place to be and is part of the reason why I’ve been here for the past 20 years or so. The atmosphere and students’ vibrancy - you can really feel the excitement around the area. SRL will make access to campus a lot better.'

Peter, Lecturer - Department of Accounting, Deakin University

Senior Lecturer, Elizabeth, discussing the benefits of the SRL for Burwood.

'I grew up here in Burwood, so I know it really well, but what I love is it’s in between the CBD and the Dandenong Ranges. I think SRL will open up more suburbs that we can feasibly live in as we manage our life between home and work.'

Elizabeth, Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics - Deakin University

Manager, Cheryl, talking about the benefits of the SRL

'Burwood has been very good to myself and family. Public transport has to become more available, and it will. It will make this centre more available to all the community.'

Cheryl, Manager - Burwood Neighbourhood House

The future of Burwood with SRL East

Already thriving, Burwood will flourish as an easily accessible centre for education based around Deakin University and top-class schools when SRL East opens by 2035.

SRL will provide a train connection to the doorstep of the university campus, slashing travel times and providing faster and more convenient public transport to schools and universities, and destinations around Melbourne.

A journey between Glen Waverley and Deakin University will take just 5 minutes.

The new underground station at Burwood will have 2 levels and be fully accessible for all passengers via lifts and escalators.

New bus and tram stops will be built right outside the station, and a pedestrian overpass across Burwood Highway will provide a safe and easy connection between the station and Deakin University, as well as links to Gardiners Creek trail and nearby schools.

The station will include pick up and drop off areas, taxi bays and up to 750 bicycle parking spaces.

Jobs in the area are expected to more than double to 24,000 when SRL East and SRL North are built, with more opportunities for local businesses and for more diverse housing in the broader neighbourhood.

Suburban Rail Loop