26 Apr 2023

Let's explore Clayton

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Home to a vibrant and diverse community rich with art, food and culture - the colourful suburb of Clayton is also well-known for world-class medical and research facilities, including Monash Medical Centre and CSIRO.

Once dominated by market gardens and farmland, Clayton was quickly urbanised in the 1960s. Today, it’s a burgeoning foodie hub, boasting affordable and authentic cuisines from around the world.

Clayton is connected to Melbourne’s CBD via the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Gippsland train lines, with bus routes providing access to the surrounding areas.

The new Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East station at Clayton will be a transport super hub with trains travelling in 4 different directions and opening up access for regional Victorians to key destinations in Melbourne’s east and south east.

So let’s take a look at this evolving suburb and its bright future.

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

1. Street art

Did you know Clayton has amazing hidden technicolour murals? Take yourself on a street art walking tour. Start at Mary Street Laneway – revamped in 2015 to transform the backstreet into a joyful walkway. You’ll find stunning Al Stark and TWOONE pieces at the corner of Thomas Street laneway and Haughton Road, and further along leading to Clayton Road. At the Clayton Community Centre, you can’t miss the Clayton Pinnacles by artist Stephen Newton – a sculpture representing the enduring strength of the Clayton community.

Mary Street laneway art | Less than 1-minute walk from Clayton station
Thomas Street laneway art | 1-minute walk from Clayton station
Clayton Pinnacles | 10-minute walk from Clayton station

Street art produced by Al Stark and TWOONE — Art by Al Stark and TWOONE

Mary street laneway art of a bearded man surround by an explosion of colour

Mary Street laneway art collection piece of an elephant surrounded by colour.

Three pillars that are apart of the public art installation called the Clayton Pinnacles — Art by Stephen Newton

Clayton street art, Haughton Road created by Al Stark and TWOONE — Haughton Road Street art by Al Stark and TWOONE

2. A melting pot of cuisines

Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian - Clayton Road and its surrounds is a mecca for authentic and good quality food - all within a 5-minute walk from the existing Clayton train station. Check out CHAYŌ Japanese Café for exquisite cakes and matcha selected by a Japanese tea sommelier. The impressive pocket of Indian restaurants on Carinish Road includes Taste of Taj, serving up spicy samosas and fragrant curries. Visit The Grain Emporium for spanakopita, or David's Master Pot serving soups bursting with flavour. To stock the pantry, the massive Hong Kong Supermarket is a much-loved destination Asian supermarket in Melbourne's south east.

CHAYŌ Japanese Café | 2-minute walk from Clayton station
Taste of Taj |< 1-minute walk from Clayton station
The Grain Emporium | 3-minute walk from Clayton station
David's Master Pot | 4-minute walk from Clayton station
Hong Kong Supermarket | 3-minute walk from Clayton station

CHAYŌ Japanese Café located off Clayton Road — CHAYŌ Japanese Café

Chayo cafe servicing the community of Clayton.

Lemons on display at a Clayton Green grocer

Sweet treats that you can enjoy in Clayton

3. Djerring Trail

Clayton is the halfway point of the Djerring Trail - a 17km track connecting Caulfield to Dandenong under the elevated Cranbourne/Pakenham train line - making it a great spot to stop and refuel with a coffee or lunch. For a shorter ride or walk, simply hop off the train at Clayton and join the trail right outside the existing station, winding through leafy parks and community spaces.

Djerring Trail | 1-minute walk from Clayton Station

4. For the history buffs

A 120-year-old heritage-listed railway shelter remains outside Clayton train station. Lovingly restored during Level Crossing Removal works in 2018, the station building features Victorian-era timberwork and is architecturally significant because of its modular design.

A short walk down Haughton Road, discover the Clayton RSL Memorial Space, featuring a cenotaph commemorating Australians who have served in conflicts, which was also restored and moved during Level Crossing Removal works.

Heritage-listed railway shelter | 1-minute walk from Clayton station
Clayton RSL Memorial Space | 5-minute walk from Clayton station

Heritage shelter located along Clayton Station

Clayton Memorial space located along the Djerring trail

5. Clayton Festival

Held annually in February, the Clayton Festival is a reflection and celebration of Clayton’s vibrant and multicultural community. Attracting more than 10,000 visitors, the free family-friendly daytime event features live entertainment, roving performers, food trucks, and lots of outdoor activities including interactive games, workshops, ‘chill out zones’ and more.

Clayton Festival

A local’s perspective

Hana from Minimaru talking about her Clayton community

Hana, Minimaru

'Clayton is a really nice community – it's multicultural, diverse and is a central hub for students SRL’s super hub in Clayton will make it so much easier for my friends in regional areas like Traralgon to get to Monash or Burwood for uni. It'll save so much time not having to go into the city and back out again.'

Local trader Jeremy shares his thoughts on the Clayton community and SRL

Jeremy, Manager, Gotcha

'There’s a lot of versatile options in Clayton, and many places to eat and drink. SRL will be great. It will connect a lot more people and help more people travel specifically from north to south east instead of taking 1 train and then switching.'

Ritu from Goodstart shares what she enjoys about Clayton

Ritu, Assistant Director, Goodstart Early Learning Centre Clayton

'It's a very lively atmosphere in Clayton. You have Monash Hospital, Monash University and lots of cultural restaurants in the area. Suburban Rail Loop is going to benefit lots of people who are working in Melbourne’s east and south-east who live in Clayton. It will also be beneficial for Monash University students - it's going to be much more convenient to travel by train.'

Bernie from Goodstart shares what she loves about Clayton

Bernie, Educator, Goodstart Early Learning Centre Clayton

'Clayton is a great location which means we can offer a lot of services and excursions to the children at Goodstart. I can't wait for Suburban Rail Loop. It'll make Clayton more accessible and it'll be easier for people to experience everything that I love about the area.'

The future of Clayton

The new underground SRL station at Clayton will transform how people access the growing health precinct.

A transport super hub with trains travelling in 4 different directions, the SRL station at Clayton will connect services on the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Gippsland lines - providing faster and more convenient transport to key destinations across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

With SRL East and North delivered, Clayton is set to become home to more than 55,000 people by 2056, with jobs in the area to almost triple to around 57,500.

SRL will connect suburbs and slash travel times to jobs, medical appointments and dinner dates, with trains running on SRL East by 2035

Cheltenham locals heading to Clayton for dinner with friends will save 25 minutes on a one-way trip.
A nurse living in Box Hill will save around an hour on a return trip to Monash Medical Centre.

Beyond the rail infrastructure, the SRL station at Clayton will deliver new open spaces and more walking and cycling tracks for locals and visitors to enjoy - as well as attract more housing, businesses and job opportunities to the area.

View the Clayton page

Suburban Rail Loop