The Rawlinson Track is located at Melbourne University.
The track was developed as a training venue for the 1956 Olympic Games, partly funded by the Olympic Organising Committee. It is named after biochemistry professor, three-time Victorian javelin champion and World University Games competitor, William Arthur Rawlinson. Wilfred Kent Hughes and Alf Lazer, along with Professor Rawlinson, were central to the development of the track.
The track was the second cinder track in Melbourne after Olympic Park, and the first in Australia to use metric measurements. The cinders were replaced in 1984 with bitumenised rubber and a full synthetic surface was laid in 1995.
The track has long straights 100m in length, and tight bends. With a synthetic hockey field on the track’s infield, there are no long throw facilities.
The venue annually hosts the Victorian Mile Championship.
The track is managed by Melbourne University Sport.
The track is booked for Melbourne University Athletics Club training at the following times:
- Monday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 8:00pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Contact Melbourne University Sport for access at other times.
There is no public parking on the Parkville campus. The nearest car park is 379 Cardigan St, Carlton. On street parking is available nearby.
1 Review on “Rawlinson Track”
Very little appeal to this track with a run down feel to it. Track is firm underfoot in spikes. Parking is non existent close by. The whole track area needs some love and care to bring it back to its past glory.