Burwood offers a range of reasons to visit: contemporary art, trails for walking and running, and purpose-designed play areas. When planning your visit, it’s worth distinguishing between a changing exhibition program, routes with specific stated lengths, and the features of individual playgrounds. Check opening hours and access conditions to suit your planned visit.
Art and exhibitions
Deakin University Art Gallery presents contemporary art and creative practice in a changing annual program. During scheduled exhibition periods, it is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm; it is closed on public holidays, and admission is free. Because opening hours depend on exhibition periods and individual exhibitions change, check the latest opening details before your visit.
The Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award recognises contemporary sculpture by artists from across Australia. Each year, it culminates in an exhibition of finalist works at the gallery on the Melbourne Burwood Campus. It runs from August to October; exact dates may vary from year to year. The award gives art enthusiasts a recurring reason to explore Burwood’s contemporary art scene, although the exhibition does not have to take place on the same dates every year.
As part of school programs, art educators lead tours of the Sculpture Walk – Collect, Extend and Connect at Deakin Burwood Campus. Groups explore outdoor artworks during the tours. The tours are part of the school programs; their availability may change.
Trails and history at Wattle Park
Wattle Park has shared-use trails and a constructed 3.25 km walking and running track. The stated track length can help when planning a walk or run. The track and the shared-use trails are different options in the park; trail infrastructure may change over time. So check conditions before your visit if you plan to rely on a particular route.
Wattle Park Chalet was built in 1928 from decommissioned tram engine houses and has been largely preserved in its original form. Alongside the trails, it offers a specific example of Burwood’s architectural history.
The Gardiners Creek Trail also offers opportunities for cycling and walking: the 20 km trail has an access point at the intersection of Burwood Highway and Elgar Road in Burwood. This access point is a one-minute walk from Deakin University. The length figures refer to different options: 3.25 km for the track in Wattle Park, and 20 km for the trail overall. Construction or trail maintenance may affect access; check conditions before your visit.
Play areas with different features
Wattle Park has a sensory garden near a tram-shaped play fort. Both are part of a nature-based play area designed for all ages and abilities, which opened in April 2023. Wheelchair users can access the second level with assistance. If this level is important to your visit, take the stated assistance requirement into account when planning.
Another option is the playground at Lundgren Chain Reserve, with swings, slides and climbing equipment, as well as soft-fall surfaces and gardens. These named features differ from the sensory garden and tram-shaped play fort at Wattle Park. You can choose where to visit based on which specific play options interest you.
Getting to the campus
Deakin University’s Melbourne Burwood Campus is served by tram route 75, SmartBus 903 and Deakin shuttle bus route 201. This is a useful guide for getting to the campus. Routes and services may change; check the latest information before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Sedgwick, Mount Burnett, Merricks North, Myrrhee, Piangil, Mitre, Beaconsfield Upper, Tonimbuk.
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