Getting to Waterfront campus
Cycling or walking
Many students live close to campus, so if this is you it may be easiest to walk or ride to uni.
You can use Google maps to identify bike routes and walking paths, or there are apps available such as Bike Citizen or Strava which can also help. The Bicycle Network has some tips on how to plan your journey.
Lime shared e-bikes
Students can take advantage of the Lime electric share bikes available to cycle around the city of Geelong as part of a 12-month trial. The e-bikes are rented via the Lime app. They are parked at Deakin’s two Geelong campuses as well as several other locations, all identified via the app.
Power-assisted pedalling kicks in when the bike senses you need some help, making it an easy and time-effective way to travel. No more pedalling up hills! Helmets are provided and there are also cargo baskets on the bikes.
It’s easy to rent a bike:
- Download the Lime app on your smartphone and register an account.
- Check the map to see where your closest e-bike is located.
- Scan the QR code to unlock your bike and helmet.
- Ride to or from campus, or anywhere else around Geelong. There’s a phone holder on the handlebars so you can have a map handy.
- After you finish your ride, park the bike safely – ideally at one of the designated parking locations or a bike hoop. You can use the app to ‘pause’ your ride for 15 minutes if you need to make a stop.
Deakin is well-equipped with bike infrastructure for when you get here, including lockers, change rooms and showers. The locations are available below.
Read our Lime e-Bike Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the trial or visit Lime for more information on the e-bikes.
Facilities available
Deakin has lockers, showers, change rooms and bike storage for when you arrive. The locations around Waterfront campus are provided below.
Location | Bike storage | Showers | Lockers | Locker access |
Building D, Level 1 (near café bathrooms) | no | yes | yes | locker access required |
Building AD, off Cunningham Street | yes | no | no | not applicable |
Car Park, Level 1 | yes | no | no | not applicable |
Gheringhap Street, near the Cube | yes | no | no | not applicable |
Requesting locker access
Email deakin-fleet@deakin.edu.au to request locker access.
Public transport
The Waterfront Campus is close to Geelong Railway Station where you can also access buses.
You will need a Myki card to travel.
You may be eligible for a tertiary student concession, which means your fares will be discounted.
More information on travel concessions on Public Transport Victoria's webpage.
Bus
There is a bus stop on Brougham Street, next to campus. The bus that stops here is:
- The number 1 bus between Deakin Waurn Ponds and North Shore Station – number 1 bus timetable
Train
Geelong Station is only 400 metres from Deakin Waterfront. Trains from Melbourne, Colac, and Warrnambool stop here, as well as those coming from Waurn Ponds along the Geelong line.
Driving and parking
From Monday, 20 March there will be a gradual reduction in the number of parking spaces in Car Park 2. Parking spaces will be extremely limited, and you may find it difficult to find a place to park.
If you decide to drive to campus, and are able to locate a free parking space, you’ll need to purchase a casual parking permit.
Your parking permit allows you to park in the white bays (General Permit zones) on campus. You will need to pay for parking between 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday to Friday (except when the University is closed on public holidays). Students are unable to park in orange bays.
Casual parking with CellOPark
$1.60 per hour, $6.40 per day
To pay for parking by the hour or day:
- Install the free CellOPark Australia App or visit the CellOPark website to create an account. You can start your parking permit session through the app, website or by calling CellOPark on 9111 1799 to use their call to park service.
- You can enter multiple vehicles on your account but only one vehicle can park at any time so, remember to ensure you enter your vehicle registration(s) correctly, and select the correct car when starting a parking permit session.
- When you park, open the app, select the relevant campus zone number (1040200 at Waterfront) and press ‘start’. Stop the session when you leave, so you pay only for the time you are parked.
Accessible parking
All campuses have accessible parking spaces to support students, staff, and visitors who have a valid accessible parking permit issued for their use.
Category 1 Disabled Persons Parking Permits are no longer issued. New permits are issued as Australian Disability Parking Permits. Category 1 Disabled Persons Parking Permits and Australian Disability Parking Permits are valid until expiry. Valid permits must be displayed clearly and a Deakin parking permit is not required. If an accessible parking space is unavailable, vehicles displaying a valid permit may also park in orange or white bays, and a Deakin parking permit is not required.
Category 2 Disabled Persons Parking Permits are no longer issued. New permits are issued as Victorian Double Time Accessible Parking Permits. Category 2 Disabled Persons Parking Permits and Victorian Double Time Accessible Parking Permits and are valid until expiry. Permit holders are not permitted to park in accessible parking bays however vehicles displaying a valid permit are permitted to park in a General white bay for double the duration of their paid parking.
If you have a temporary medical condition you can apply for a Temporary Accessible Parking Authority supported by a medical certificate or letter from a doctor or specialist. A Temporary Accessible Parking Authority must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of a vehicle parked in an accessible bay and is valid for the dates indicated. A valid Deakin parking permit is also required.
Email parking@deakin.edu.au to find out how to apply.
Flexicar
Deakin has Flexicar share vehicles on campus. Find out how to access Flexicar.
Flexicars are located in Car Park 2 (on Smythe Street) at Waterfront Campus.
Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles
Parking permits are not required for motorcycles, scooters, or bicycles. These can be parked in the designated motorcycle bays, bike parking or on footpaths, out of the way of pedestrians. Motorcycle parking is not permitted:
- where signs indicate that motorcycles may not park
- opposite any parking bay reserved for people with disabilities (marked with a wheelchair sign and symbol)
- on narrow footpaths, near taxi ranks, or bus and tram stops
- on or near service access points, such as manhole covers, post boxes or rubbish bins
- where your vehicle could damage the footpath, pedestrian facilities or landscaping
- within one metre of a fire hydrant
Parking infringements
If you are parked incorrectly or haven’t paid for parking, it’s likely that you’ll get an infringement. More information on parking infringements.
Our free intercampus bus service takes the stress out of getting to campus and finding a carpark. Deakin offers two services.
Waurn Ponds - Waterfront and Waterfront - Waurn Ponds
A bus runs on a continuous loop between Waterfront and Waurn Ponds, with a stop at BVAC (Barwon Valley Activity Centre, located on Barwon Heads Road, opposite Kmart Belmont). You can catch the bus at Waurn Ponds, Waterfront or BVAC, and parking at BVAC is free.
Parking at BVAC and catching the intercampus bus means you never have to pay for on-campus parking. Buses run every 30 minutes, dropping you off right at your destination.
View the Waterfront - Waurn Ponds bus timetable (PDF, 513.8KB)
BVAC - Waterfront and Waterfront - BVAC
An additional service to the above runs specifically on a continuous loop between Waterfront and BVAC only. Parking at BVAC is free.
View the Waterfront - BVAC bus timetable (PDF, 929.1KB)
East Geelong - Waterfront and Waterfront - East Geelong (Waterfront Express)
Our Waterfront Express runs on a continuous loop between Try Boys Stadium in East Geelong at 501 Ryrie St, East Geelong (near the corner of Portarlington and Boundary Roads) and Waterfront. Parking at Try Boys is free.
The Waterfront Express operates Monday–Friday, 7:30am–6:15pm.
Parking at Try Boys and catching the intercampus bus means you never have to pay for on-campus parking. Buses run every 30 minutes, dropping you off right at your destination.
View the Waterfront Express timetable (PDF, 166.3KB)
These services do not run at weekends or when the University is closed on public holidays.