Monash is the largest employment and innovation hub outside of the central business district (CBD), home to Monash University and globally recognised medical and research facilities including CSIRO and the Australian Synchrotron.
Monash University is Australia’s largest, with more than 30,000 students attending every year.
Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East will deliver an underground station to Monash for the very first time, providing a direct train line to this busy area.
Let’s take a look at this evolving suburb and its bright future.
Live like a local – 5 great things to do in Monash
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1. Book a tour of the Australian Synchrotron
Did you know the facility can produce light a million times brighter than the sun?
You can take a guided tour and learn more about the Synchrotron and its research across medicine, biotechnology, advanced materials and cultural heritage. The tours run for about 90 minutes and are available on select Saturdays throughout the year. The Australian Synchrotron is a world-class science facility, receiving 4000 visitors per year.
- Australian Synchrotron
- 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton | 14-minute walk from Monash University Clayton Bus Loop
2. Enjoy a coffee at L’Arte Central
After visiting the Australian Synchrotron, it’s time to stop in at L’Arte Central. L’Arte Central is a café, florist, and art space providing workplace opportunities to people with mental health challenges. The program helps change attitudes and supports workers to become more active in their community. It’s a safe and welcoming place to enjoy a coffee - all for a good cause.
- L’Arte Central
- 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton | 14-minute walk from Monash University Clayton Bus Loop
3. Explore the Monash University Clayton Campus
Clayton is the largest Monash University campus, first established in 1958. The campus features architecture from the 1960s including concert venue Robert Blackwood Hall - named after the Monash University founding chancellor, Sir Robert Blackwood.
The Hall has hosted commercial recordings for the ABC, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and film scores. You can catch an event or hire this extraordinary venue that seats nearly 1600 people.
Walking through campus, you’ll also find beautiful gardens, including the tranquil Aboriginal garden and the Lemon Scented Lawn garden. There’s even a River Red Gum up to 500 years old. After exploring the campus gardens, grab a bite to eat from the wide range of food outlets including PappaRich and Guzman y Gomez.
- Monash University Robert Blackwood Hall
- 1 Wellington Road, Clayton | 1-minute walk from Monash University Clayton Bus Loop
4. Take a break at The Notting Hill Hotel (The Nott)
Feel like visiting ‘the best pub in the south-east'? Look no further than The Notting Hill Hotel. With a taproom, steakhouse, pizza kitchen and beer garden, there’s something for everyone. The Hotel dates back to 1892 and is an institution for Monash University staff and students, who have been visiting the venue for a hot meal and cold drink for decades. The Nott also has live music, comedy shows and trivia nights.
- The Notting Hill Hotel
- 260-262 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill | 1-minute walk from Gardiner Rd/Ferntree Gully Rd bus stop
5. The Monash Precinct Network
Monash is an education, business and research hub, home to Monash University, CSIRO, and the Australian Synchrotron as well as many other globally renowned innovators and start ups. The new Monash Precinct Network has been launched to drive collaboration between these world-leading organisations in Monash. Monash is already the largest hub for employment and innovation outside Melbourne’s CBD. SRL is also supporting local events for the Monash Precinct Network as part of the SRL Community Projects Fund.
A local perspective
The future of Monash with SRL East
The SRL station at Monash will deliver a direct train connection to the area for the first time - turbocharging jobs growth.
The station will improve access to the world-class education, health and research facilities, delivering important transport connections – spurring even more economic growth, employment and housing and helping to attract and retain leading global firms.
The broad area around the Monash SRL station will boom, with more jobs and investment. By the 2050s, with SRL East and SRL North complete, jobs in the area are expected to approximately triple.
The new underground train station at Monash will be just north of Monash University between Normanby and Ferntree Gully roads, with a southern entrance providing a connection to the university and a northern entrance opening up access to the industrial and business precinct.
New pedestrian and cycling paths will connect the station to the university and nearby employment areas, while an interchange for bus services and improvements to local roads will make it easier for passengers to travel to and from the station.
SRL is more than a rail line – the new train connection will attract and support new business, education and research opportunities and bring more local services, and more diverse housing options.
