Carlton Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Carlton Gardens which includes autumn leaves and a square or plaza
Take an inspiring journey through this exciting suburb, which features gorgeous parklands, heritage architecture and a supreme coffee culture along vibrant Lygon Street.

Spend a few days experiencing eclectic Carlton, which seamlessly blends heritage sights with youth-oriented culture. Located just north of Melbourne's central business district, this suburb is an easy and entertaining addition to any Melbourne sightseeing itinerary.

Begin your Carlton journey in its beating heart, the eclectic Lygon Street. Grab a morning coffee and a delectable pastry at Brunetti’s, a large-scale Italian cafe. The area's student population, owing to the neighbouring university, has supported a growing market of trendy book stores, artisanal shops and niche cafés along the main strip.

Walk east through streets lined with Victorian terrace cottages to the Carlton Gardens, one of Melbourne's finest inner-city parklands. Take the kids to the playground or picnic under sprawling Moreton Bay figs. In the gardens' centre, the huge Royal Exhibition Building cuts a photogenic figure. Next door, the Melbourne Museum, with its ultra-modern design, houses a range of entertaining and educational exhibits.

Venture to Carlton north to explore shady residential streets. Both Nicholson Street and Rathdowne Street feature charming “villages" collections of intimate coffee houses, furniture stores and convenience shops.

Carlton's west is dominated by the massive Royal Park, a 72-hectare (181-acre) stretch of lawns, bushland and sporting fields. Take the kids to the Melbourne Zoo, which houses a collection of animals, birds and insects in the park's centre.

At dinner time, follow the crowds back to Lygon Street. Thanks to the suburb's rich Mediterranean heritage, this street features boundless options for Italian dining. Choose from excellent sit-down meals to late-night takeaway pizza. Other dining options include Vietnamese soups, Indian cuisine, French bistro-style meals and Turkish bakeries.

After a hearty meal, take a walk with ice cream or a frozen yoghurt treat the street remains lively until well after dinner. The Nova Cinema is a great place to sit and relax after your meal, with cheap tickets to a range of art house movies.

Get into Carlton and navigate the suburb using efficient tram, bus or train services from most areas of the city.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Carlton Hotel Deals

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
Fully refundable
The price is AU$100 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$100
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,136 reviews)
"Great service"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Arrow on Swanston
Arrow on Swanston
3.5 out of 5
488 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC
The price is AU$117 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
AU$117
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the ...
6.8/10 (1,909 reviews)
"Good budget hotel"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Arrow on Swanston
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$129 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
AU$129
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,691 reviews)
"After having to find alternative accommodation The Victoria Hotel was a welcome change from where we had just left. The price was very expensive for one night but it was a big weekend in Melbourne. The room was clean and the staff were very friendly."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$225 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
AU$225
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (270 reviews)
"Date night"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Rydges Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$132 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
AU$132
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,193 reviews)
Very central to get around
"It was very central and the staff were pleasant. The room was clean there were a few thinks that need attending to - the pillow's need replacing and tv set is hard to use and you have to work most if it if apps which is not what I want in holidays just want to turn it on and it works air conditioning ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Stamford Plaza Melbourne
5 out of 5
111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$209 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$209
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,106 reviews)
A happy stay
"This hotel was very nice, a good location and we would stay there again"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Carlton

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating

Melbourne Central Business District

4.5/5(20,262 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Melbourne Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Melbourne Central and Collins Street, and jump on the metro at Melbourne Central Station or Flagstaff Station to see more of the city.

Melbourne Central Business District
Southbank which includes city views, a high-rise building and a city

Yarra Riverfront

The stunning river views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Yarra Riverfront. Make a stop by Crown Casino or Collins Street while you're exploring the area.

Yarra Riverfront
Fitzroy Gardens featuring heritage architecture, a house and a garden

East Melbourne

Known for its abundant dining options and colourful gardens, there's plenty to explore in East Melbourne. Top attractions like Melbourne Cricket Ground and Collins Street are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Jolimont Station or Parliament Station to see more of the city.

East Melbourne
Docklands which includes a bay or harbour, night scenes and a high-rise building

Docklands

Travellers come to Docklands for its waterfront views, and you can see top attractions like Marvel Stadium and Collins Street while you're in town.

Docklands
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Southbank

Are you interested in stunning river views, first-class casinos and popular shops? A visit to Southbank might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Crown Casino and Melbourne Skydeck.

Southbank
Richmond which includes a park and a playground

Richmond

Travellers choose Richmond for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Richmond Station or Burnley Station and check out top sights like Bridge Road.

Richmond


Carlton Travel Guide

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