From market gardens and fruit-growing to sand quarrying to heavy manufacturing to a major medical and educational hub, the south-eastern suburb of Clayton has seen many changes.
These days, Clayton is a vibrant multicultural centre that has a younger-than average population for a Victorian suburb for and a food scene that’s hard to beat.
The suburb was named after the owner of a local farm, lawyer John Hughes Clayton, who purchased Clayton Vale on Bunurong land in the 1860s.
Clayton was home to a number of car manufacturers including Volkswagen, Volvo and Datsun/Nissan when each was a local car manufacturer, and to parts manufacturers Bosch and Repco.
Monash University, Melbourne’s second university and now Australia’s largest, was established there in 1961 while the Monash Medical Centre, which first opened in 1987, is one of Victoria’s major tertiary hospitals.
Five things to do in Clayton
The Clayton Road shopping strip: This amazing strip offers a host of south-east and southern Asian-style eateries and markets that are well worth a look. There are more than 200 businesses in the strip, with many ready to tantalise your tastebuds. If you’re after a banh mi, a fast curry or even a good, old-fashioned counter meal at the Clayton Hotel, Clayton Road has you covered. Visit Indian food trucks in Clayton Road or Centre Road, right off the main strip, to spice up your life.
Street art: Check out the stunning laneway murals along Thomas and Mary streets, just off the Clayton Road shopping strip, for a new take on the local arts and culture scene. The Clayton Pinnacles, right nearby, represent the enduring resilience of the Clayton population and have stood outside the Clayton Community Centre in Cooke Street since 2008.
Skyrail: Stay with me here. Much of the Cranbourne/Pakenham railway line, is elevated. In Clayton, this project eliminated the notorious Clayton Road level crossing. And it has breathed new life and much-needed open space into the area. The Clayton railway station is almost brand new. Beneath the rail overpass is new greenery, new trees and new open spaces where locals and visitors can relax or try basketball or skating. A heritage-listed railway shelter, part of the old station, sits beneath the new one. For cyclists and skaters, the 17km Djerring Trail runs between Caulfield and Dandenong, a lot of it under the strangely attractive rail overpass. Clayton, at the halfway mark, is the perfect spot for a break and a bite to eat as you traverse the trail.
Namatjira Park: Named for the late Aboriginal artist, Namatjira Park was officially opened in 1980. It has an array of suburban-style sporting facilities, a bowling club with a bistro, a large playground with picnic and barbecue facilities, a skate park, a bushland area and wetlands that are home to waterbirds and other wildlife. There are raised boardwalks around the wetlands and an illuminated running track through the bushland with outdoor gym equipment. It’s a true urban oasis.
Spring Valley Golf Club: Melbourne’s south-east is world famous for its sandbelt golf courses, and Clayton has one – the Spring Valley Golf Club in Heatherton Road. This picturesque champion course was first established in 1948 and today boats teaching and training facilities, first class dining and entertainment and, of course, 18 holes of golfing pleasure. It’s a private club but offers reciprocal rights for members of clubs across Australia and around the world.
