Carlton

Sitting directly on the CBD’s northern edge, Carlton’s rich culture, steeped in European heritage is best experienced with a trip down the renowned Little Italy of Lygon Street. Laying claim to home of the first Australian coffee espresso machine and the first Australian pizzeria, Lygon Street is the heart and Italian soul of this suburb which is a mere stroll to the city from its terraced streets. Synonymous with both Jewish and Italian immigrants, in the early – mid 1900’s, Carlton’s demographic is now primarily Australian and Chinese.

Surveyed by Government surveyor Robert Hoddle in 1852, Hoddle took care to lay out streets in an orderly grid with sections reserved for open spaces (such as Argyle Square, Lincoln Square and Carlton Gardens) and religious institutions.

Historic, double- and single-storey Victorian homes surrounding central gardens highlight the architectural significance of Carlton. Student’s attending the many nearby universities such as Melbourne University or RMIT can be found in the numerous student housing buildings or gleaming apartment complexes, which add to the vibrant streetscape of Carlton.

In Carlton’s south-east corner, surrounded by the leafy Carlton gardens shared with the Melbourne Museum, is the Royal Exhibition Building. The Royal Exhibition Building is the oldest surviving building from the Great Exhibition era that is still operating as an exhibition hall and both the first World Heritage listed building in Australia and the site of Australia’s first parliament.

As a city fringe suburb, Carlton’s transport is centred around buses and trams with the upcoming new Parkville station to create the closest train station. The popular Swanston Street tram travels through the heart of Carlton, down both Swanston Street and Lygon Street. A secondary tram route travels on the eastern boundary through Nicholson Street with a number of bus routes throughout the suburb.

If you want to live close to the city, in a cultured, sophisticated enclave, Carlton will suit you perfectly.