Carlton (Melbourne, Australia)
Live La Dolce Vita in Carlton, Melbourne
A leafy, inner-city suburb in North Melbourne, Carlton is an excellent choice if you like to live the good life “like a local” while on vacation; the neighbourhood is convenient to the top tourist attractions in Melbourne CBD, and yet offers plenty of its own charms. Here you will find the city’s Little Italy district, the boutique shopping district of Rathdowne Village, and the stunningly beautiful Carlton Gardens. Carlton is also known to many a proud parent and Blues fan as the home of the University of Melbourne and the Carlton FC.
The Best Eats on Lygon Street
If you love pizza, pasta, and gelato (and really, who doesn’t?) be sure to visit Lygon Street; this lively avenue runs all the way from one end of Carlton to the other, and features some of the most popular Italian restaurants in Melbourne. Brunetti, Tiamo, and Bar Idda remain long-standing favourites for their traditional cuisine and laid-back outdoor patios. Heartattack and Vine, a chic café/bar with a Venetian take on tapas, and 400 Gradi, a trendy trattoria at the northern end of the strip, are also well worth a visit. Not in the mood for Italian? Try the delicious Greek fare at Hellenic Republic, or fine Japanese at Kumo Izakaya, also located on Lygon Street. Or how about something completely different: the Green Man’s Arms is a 100% vegan and vegetarian pub.
Stroll Through the Sights and Shops
Travellers will find many places to visit throughout the suburb; the peaceful expanse of Princes Park lies at the northern end of Carlton, adjacent to the historic Melbourne General Cemetery. Four of the country’s Prime Ministers are interred here, as are the famous Australian explorers Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills. Just past the cemetery you’ll find Rathdowne Village, a picturesque neighbourhood studded with top-notch brunch spots and independent shops. Occupying the south-east corner of the neighbourhood is the lovely Carlton Gardens; this Victorian-era park surrounds both the historic Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum. The award-winning natural and cultural history museum is as popular with kids as it is with adults. Also, be sure to venture just a few steps beyond Carlton’s southern border for a grimly fascinating tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol, or to shop at the famous Queen Victoria Market.
Lots of Affordable Places to Stay
Accommodations in this Melbourne suburb generally range from cheerful budget options, such as the ibis Melbourne Swanston Street, to modern serviced apartments such as the Quest Carlton on Finlay and traditional, mid-range hotels. In the latter category, the Best Western Plus Travel Inn Hotel is a popular pick, not least for its exceptionally convenient location in between Lygon Street and the Carlton Gardens. If you are seeking the height of luxury, but are wanting to stay within shouting distance of Carlton’s many charms, try looking in the neighbouring districts of Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD: here you’ll find some of the most posh places in the city.
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