TravelSmart
Deakin University
Physical activity is good for your health and the best form of physical activity is that which can be built into daily life as habitual activity. 
One of the easiest and most accessible physical activities available for everyone is walking: you don’t require any special equipment or training and it’s also free. Nearly everyone can walk whether it is as a mode of travel, for fitness, weight loss or relaxation.
If you live within 3km from Deakin, consider walking to the Melbourne Campus at Burwood. Gardiner's Creek Trail is located just behind the University – it begins at the Main Yarra Trail in Toorak and follows Gardiner's Creek through Glen Iris, Malvern, Burwood (Deakin University), Ashwood, Box Hill and ends near the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. Hop on at various points for a short walk to get to Deakin, you can even meet up with a friend and walk together.
You will avoid parking hassles, save money that you would otherwise use for petrol or parking fees and get some exercise at the same time.
Pick up a TravelSmart map for walking routes to the Melbourne Campus at Burwood.
Did you know that three quarters of all personal journeys are less than 10 kilometres long? That's half an hour on a bike! Switching these short journeys from car to bicycle will benefit your health and your community. You'll be helping to reduce noise and air pollution as well as traffic congestion.
In Melbourne, the average speed of a commuting car is 19.7km/h3. A bicyclist can comfortably average 17km/h, with many experienced cyclists traveling above 20km/h.
More cycling is good news for the environment and your local community. But the biggest benefit is for you as an individual. Your strength, stamina, aerobic fitness and general muscle function will all be improved. Cycling is a low impact activity and one of the safest ways to exercise without risk of over-exertion or strain to muscles and joints. Regular physical activity also facilitates other healthy behaviour and could help you reduce weight or even give up smoking.
For comprehensive information on cycling visit the cycling promotion fund or download the one of the following issue sheets:
RACV Bike Assist is designed to assist cyclists in the event that their bicycle cannot be ridden due to an accident, mechanical problem or puncture. You have the peace of mind in knowing that if we cannot fix the problem we will dispatch a taxi to transport yourself and your bicycle to your chosen destination.
To purchase RACV Bike Assist call 13 RACV (13 72 28), visit your nearest RACV Shop or download an application form (PDF 228 KB).
Did you know that Deakin's Health Services staff can provide you with personalised exercise advice and written physical activity scripts to get you on on track with your health and fitness? You can even tailor the program to include walking or cycling all or part of the way to the campus. Visit Deakin Health Services for more information or to make an individual appointment for diet and exercise advice.
To help you cycle to and from the Melbourne Campus at Burwood you can find showers and change rooms in Buildings HB, level 1 at the central precinct and Building B gymnasium. Please note that Building B gymnasium will be closed for renovations until further notice.
Bicycle racks are located around the campus, find them at:
You can also pick up a TravelSmart map for bicycle rack locations. The map also highlights cycling and walking routes on and around the Melbourne Campus at Burwood.
The YMCA has offered to extend their hire of bicycle lockers to all staff and students to make cycling an easier option. Lockers are hired on a daily basis and include a $20 deposit which will be returned to you at the end of the day once you return the key.
Please bring your student or staff ID and credit/eftpos card along with your $20 deposit to secure a locker for the day. To ensure access and availability for everyone on campus we will not be able to provide you with a locker for the entire semester. These lockers are available for everyone to utilise on a daily basis.
Fore more information or to access a locker please visit the YMCA in Building HE, Level 1.
You can hop on these trails at various points for a short walk to get to Deakin. Alternatively, jump on a bike and get fit at the same time!
Starts off Main St, Blackburn and joins Middleborough Rd which links with the Gardiner's Creek Trail. Approx 4km.
Starts at the Main Yarra Trail in Toorak, near St Kevin's College and follows Gardiner's Creek through Glen Iris, Malvern, Burwood (Deakin University), Ashwood, Box Hill and ends near the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. Total length 17km.
Starts at Kew and follows the Alamein line. Follow this track to the Gardiner's Creek Trail. Total length 20.2km.
Starts at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill and finishes at East Malvern Railway Station. The trail links with Gardiner's Creek. Total length 21.5km
If you live near a train line, why not ride to the nearest station (or push yourself by riding to one further away), catch the train to either Box Hill or Jordanville Station and then ride along the Gardiner’s Creek Trail to campus. Bicycles on trains are free and it will save you time waiting for connecting buses.
As of February 18 2008, the ban on bikes on peak hour trains has been officially withdrawn.
Cyclists are asked to use the last door of the last carriage where possible, and strongly advised to avoid the front of the train, where wheelchair users board.
So take your bike out of storage and ride to Deakin - you'll feel better for it!
