Travelling Tips for Deakin University Students

[Arora Mehra]

Deakin University Burwood campus is located in the peaceful and convenient eastern area of Melbourne. Unlike the bustling CBD, this area has the most authentic middle-class atmosphere of Melbourne. Students studying here have many places to explore and enrich their lives on weekends and holidays besides attending classes. Here is a detailed survival and travel guide for students of Deakin University in Melbourne, not only to help you cope with your studies, but also to enable you to truly fall in love with Melbourne during your years of study abroad.

Transportation Options​

The transportation in Melbourne mainly consists of trams, trains and buses.

Route 75 Bus​

If you live near Burwood, Route 75 bus is your "lifeline". It traverses the Deakin campus and heads west to the Melbourne CBD, and extends eastward to Vermont South. For students who want to go shopping in the city or visit Docklands to enjoy the sea view, this is the safest choice.

Box Hill Connector​

Although the Deakin campus doesn't have a train connection, it is very close to Box Hill, the largest Chinese hub in Melbourne.
767 Route / 281 Route / 201 Route buses: These routes can directly take you from the school gate to Box Hill Central.
Starting from Box Hill, you can transfer to the Belgrave or Lilydale train line, and you can reach the city centre in 25 minutes or head to the eastern mountains.

Incentive Policy: iUSEpass​

As an international student, don't buy the original Myki card. As long as you are a full-time undergraduate or diploma course student, you can apply for the International Student Travel Pass (iUSEpass), which offers a 50% discount on the annual card, helping you save a lot of money.

Accommodation Options​

For Deakin University students, you can either choose accommodation based on the on-campus and off-campus options, or select a place based on your preferred suburbs and surrounding environment.

Deakin University Dormitories​

For many students who value convenience and security, Deakin University Dorm is the first option that comes to mind. The biggest advantage of living on campus is its proximity. You can head out 10 minutes before classes start. The dormitory area usually has complete facilities, including a communal kitchen, a video room, and a study room. More importantly, the school regularly holds social events, which is the quickest way to break the sense of loneliness and make friends from different cultural backgrounds. However, due to the excellent location, on-campus dormitories are usually in high demand. Also the rent includes water, electricity, and internet fees. The price per unit is slightly higher than that of off-campus shared accommodation.

Off-Campus Rental and Regional Recommendations​

If you prefer a more free lifestyle or want to save some money, off-campus Deakin accommodation is the mainstream option.
Burwood: Right at the school gate, the walking distance eliminates transportation costs. It is the top choice.
Box Hill: The largest Chinese community in Melbourne. There are countless Chinese restaurants, supermarkets, and even doctors and lawyers who speak Chinese. Life is extremely convenient. It only takes 10-15 minutes to get to Deakin from Box Hill by bus.
Camberwell: If you like the European style, there are very beautiful historical buildings and upscale communities here. The atmosphere is quiet, making it suitable for top-performing students.
Many students are afraid of getting scammed when looking for houses in foreign countries. It is recommended that you use a professional booking platform. uhomes.com is a very popular platform among international students in Melbourne. The housing listings are 100% verified. It integrates a large number of student apartments and private properties. Not only do they have real video footage, but also real comments from tenants. What's more, it provides 24/7 multilingual customer service support, which can help you avoid many rental scams and offer you timely assistance.

Weekend "City Walk" and Short-Term Travel Options​

Here are several must-visit places not far from the Burwood campus and with extremely convenient transportation.

The Palace of Shopping & Cuisine: Chadstone & Box Hill​

Chadstone Shopping Centre: It is claimed to be the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

• How to get there: Take Bus 767 from the school gate and you'll arrive directly.
• What to do: This is not just a place to buy luxury goods. The LEGOLAND exploration center and Hoyts cinema inside are also great stress-relieving places.

Box Hill Central: Your culinary paradise.

• What to do: The prices here are cheaper than in the CBD. The barbecue and steamed buns at the deli have excellent flavors. Many Deakin students' regular weekend activities include: going to Box Hill to buy a week's worth of groceries and having a bowl of Lanzhou noodles.

Study Area for Artistic Youth: State Library Victoria​

• How to get there: Take the No. 75 bus to the city center, and it's just a short walk away.
• What to do: The octagonal large dome (La Trobe Reading Room) at the State Library Victoria is truly a sacred place for photography and study. The study atmosphere here is excellent. During the Final exams, many students from Deakin University will take the bus specifically to come here to "practice their skills", experiencing the profoundness of knowledge.

Royal Botanic Gardens and Yarra River​

• How to get there: Take the No. 75 bus and get off near Flinders Street.
• What to do: The Yarra River in Melbourne is the soul of the city. You can cycle along the riverbank or find a grassy area in the botanical garden for a picnic (Picnic). For Australians, leisure is as simple as that: a book, a cup of coffee, and a patch of sunlight.

Vacation Faraway Adventure Options​

If you have a long weekend or a mid-semester break, be sure to go further afield.

Great Ocean Road​

This is not only a signature attraction of Melbourne, but also a world-renowned self-driving route.

• Traffic advice: It is recommended to gather three or four people with classmates and rent a car from Avis or Hertz. Start from Burwood and it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the starting point of Torquay.
• Highlights: The sunset at Twelve Apostles, and the seafood along the Apollo Bay.

Phillip Island​

• Transportation suggestion: It is recommended to participate in the school-organized Day Trip or drive there yourself.
• Highlights: The "Penguin Return to Their Nests" here is the main attraction. When hundreds of baby penguins waddle their way up from the sea to their nests, the raw and adorable atmosphere will make you forget all about your academic papers.

Puffing Billy Railway​

• Transportation advice: Take the Belgrave line train from Box Hill railway station to the terminal station. Walk a few steps outside the station and you'll be there.
• Highlights: Sit in the open wooden carriages, dangling your feet outside the window, and travel through the pristine forest of the Dandenong Ranges. This is not just a trip; it's also a nostalgic experience.

Conclusion​

When you arrive in Melbourne, your top priority is undoubtedly to study. However, Melbourne will teach you much more than just the content in textbooks. This city's multiculturalism, its reverence for nature, and the "work-life balance" rhythm are all part of your life experience. I hope this guide will help you quickly integrate into Deakin and Melbourne, and enjoy the unique charm of this city while you study.