Getting to Waterfront Campus

Campus map

Explore your campus the old-school way. Print out the campus map or download a copy to your phone. Either way, you'll have a handy guide to parking, mobility and lecture theatres at your fingertips.

Download the map (PDF, 811.6 KB)

Campus tour

Take an exclusive tour of the Geelong Waterfront Campus with nursing and psychological science student Joel.

Cycling or walking

If you live close to campus, 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.

Facilities available

Deakin has lockers, showers, change rooms and bike storage for when you arrive. The locations around Waterfront campus are provided below. Access to active transport facilities on campus is via your Deakin Card – all students have automatic access to these facilities.

Requesting locker access

Please 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. You can get a pre-filled application form in StudentConnect and then take it to a PTV office to apply.

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

Parking spaces at the Waterfront Campus are limited.

If you decide to drive to campus, and can locate an unoccupied parking space, you’ll need to purchase a short-term parking permit.

Your parking permit allows you to park in the white bays (General Permit zones). 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 OPark

OPark is Deakin's 'pay as you go’ parking permit app for casual parking in General white bays.

$1.60 per hour capped at $6.40 per day.  

Visitors can only park outside the hours of Monday to Friday 8.30am–4.30pm. (The visitor rate is $3.75 per hour, capped at $15.00 for the day).

To pay for casual parking:

1. Install the free OPark App or visit the OPark website to create an account with a valid debit or credit card.
2. To purchase casual parking at the Waterfront Campus, you need to affiliate your OPark account with Deakin University and add your Deakin ID number.  To do this, click on the menu symbol (three lines, top left of screen), then click on My Account and Affiliations.  Then follow the prompts to add Deakin University, select Student, enter your ID number and press Save.
3. You can start and stop your parking permit session through the app, website or by calling OPark on 6160 1012 to use their call to park service.
4. You can enter multiple vehicles on your account but only one vehicle can park at any time.  Please take care to enter your vehicle registration/s correctly.  The most common mistake to avoid is entering the letter ‘I’ instead of the number ‘1’ or the number 0 instead of the letter ‘O’ or vice versa (the current format for standard Victorian registration plates is 1AB2CD – a number then two letters, a number then two letters).   Ensure you enter your vehicle registration(s) correctly, and select the correct car before starting a parking permit session.
5. When you park, open the app, select Deakin University, the relevant campus zone number (1040200 at Waterfront), select the correct vehicle registration, press START PARKING and CONFIRM PARKING. Remember to stop the session when you leave so you pay only for the time you are parked.
6. If you are parking outside of Monday to Friday 8:30am–4:30pm, please ensure you keep your OPark session active to enjoy free parking (including weekends). If you park overnight (including weekends), you will need to start a new OPark session the next morning at 8.30am.

Should you have any questions about the OPark app, email OPark support@opark.com.au or call (03) 6160 1012.

Further information can be found at OPark. You can also email Deakin’s Parking Team at parking@deakin.edu.au.

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.

Australian Disability Parking Permits are valid until expiry. Permit holders are permitted to park in accessible parking bays. Valid permits must be clearly displayed 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.

Victorian Double Time Accessible Parking Permits are valid until expiry. Permit holders are not permitted to park in accessible parking bays, however they are permitted to park in time limited bays for double the time shown on the parking sign. Please note these permits are not valid in a General permit zone (white bay) where a Deakin parking permit is required (OPark or long-term vPermit).

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.

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 3 (on Smythe Street) at Waterfront Campus.

Electric vehicles

We have 4 electric vehicle chargers in Car Park 2 (ground floor). Users will need to pay for their charging via ChargeFox. The following rates apply: $0.25 kWh for the first 3 hours, $1.60 kWh thereafter.

Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles

Parking permits are not required for motorcycles, scooters or bicycles that park in designated motorcycle bays or on footpaths, provided they are not obstructing pedestrians. If motorcycles park in a car park bay, a parking permit is required. 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.

Appeal an infringement

Intercampus bus

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

East Geelong - Waterfront and Waterfront - East Geelong (Try Boys)

The Try Boys bus service runs between the Try Boys Stadium at 501 Ryrie Street, East Geelong (near the corner of Portarlington and Boundary Roads) and Waterfront. Parking at Try Boys is free.

View the Try Boys timetable (PDF, 300.0 KB)

These services do not run at weekends or when the University is closed on public holidays.