A sepia-toned image of a large industrial building labeled Dennys Lascelles Limited. Cars are parked along the street and in a nearby lot. The scene appears to capture an urban setting with older architecture and vehicles.
Our anniversary stories

How Deakin's campuses have transformed over the years

From a Geelong paddock to our first international branch campus, Deakin has grown a lot in 50 years.  

By Shae Beckworth

Deakin University has evolved significantly since its modest inception in a paddock at Waurn Ponds in 1974. Within 22 years, the university expanded to include three additional campuses in Victoria. 

To this day, the university now boasts 287 buildings across its campuses. 

‘Within 22 years, the university expanded to include three additional campuses in Victoria.’

This infastructure includes:

  •  the landmark GIFT City Campus, marking Deakin as the first university worldwide to establish an international branch campus in India 
  • the Solar Farm at the Waurn Ponds Campus, providing a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution in the collective fight against climate change. 
  • Hycel at our Warrnambool Campus, a bridge between our university, industry, and the community 
  • the Deakin Law School at Burwood Campus, increasing the teaching capacity by providing flexible and interactive spaces for general-purpose teaching and learning 
  • a specialist teaching facility, Nyaal, located at our Waurn Ponds Campus, providing the ultimate immersive and connected learning experience.  
  • ManuFutures2 at Waurn Ponds Campus, adding to the Geelong Future Economy Precinct by supporting small and medium enterprises to scale up to advanced manufacturing 
  • the Integrated Water Management (Phase 1), that will address current and future water-related challenges across the Waurn Ponds Campus 
  • The Waterfront Multideck Carpark that provides parking to staff, students, and the Deakin community, as well as housing the Fitness Centre that offers group fitness and yoga/pilates. 

These milestones of growth are a testament to Deakin’s reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and dedication to development.  

Have a memory to share about Deakin? Whether you’re a student, staff member, alumni or part of a broader community, we want to hear it. Share a memory today.

Our campuses in the early years

Aerial view of a large complex with modern white buildings surrounded by greenery. There are visible roads and parking areas, with scattered trees and open fields in the background.
An aerial view of Warrnambool Campus in 2001. Source: Deakin Archives.

 

A sepia-toned image of a large industrial building labeled Dennys Lascelles Limited. Cars are parked along the street and in a nearby lot. The scene appears to capture an urban setting with older architecture and vehicles.
An image of the dilapidated Geelong Woolstores in 1993, prior to the commencement of renovations and refurbishments to make it the Waterfront Campus. Source: Deakin Archives.
Aerial view of a large, multi-building complex surrounded by open fields. Numerous parked cars are visible around the buildings. A body of water is situated near the top right corner, and roads connect different areas within the landscape.
An early view of the Waurn Ponds campus from above in 1976. Source: Deakin Archives.

 

Aerial black and white image of an expansive urban area with clusters of buildings, open fields, and roadways. The layout includes a mix of residential and industrial areas, with distant hills and a hazy sky in the background.
In 1974, the Burwood campus and surrounding areas. Source: Deakin Archives.

Our campuses today

A modern industrial building with a dark facade and large windows. The front entrance is flanked by newly planted trees in red pots, and the paved ground features a geometric pattern. A circular logo is on the buildings wall. The sky is partly cloudy.
Having opened its doors in 2024, Deakin University GIFT City Campus is the first international branch campus in India.

 

A drone image of Warrnambool Campus taken in July 2023. Source: Beau Penny.

 

North-east facing aerial view of the Burwood Campus overlooking the entire campus including buildings and ovals
A drone image of Burwood Campus taken in March 2021. Source: Beau Penny.

 

A drone image of Waterfront Campus taken in July 2018. Source: Beau Penny.

 

Aerial view of a sprawling urban landscape with several large buildings surrounded by trees. There is a sports field with a track, roads intersecting the area, and a parking lot. The scene is dotted with greenery and residential neighborhoods.
A drone image of Waurn Ponds Campus taken in May 2022. Source: Beau Penny.