Carlton and Fitzroy - Inner-city charm

The high culture of Carlton, with its art cinemas, bookshops, fine restaurants and galleries, is in marked contrast to the alternative street life and bazaars of quirky Fitzroy.

Carlton
Once regarded as Melbourne' s Little Italy, this inner-city suburb, adjacent to the northern limits of the CBD, is close to Melbourne University. The university gives the area a buzz, but its culinary and retail epi-centre, Lygon Street, is just a short walk from the city. Life and art mix on the streets here and there is a huge range of great cafes and restaurants. Here you'll also find good book stores, trendy galleries and plenty of specialty shops. The art cinemas alone are worth the trip. Check out Cardigan and Drummond streets for their Victorian architecture.

Fitzroy
A short walk along Brunswick Street, Fitzroy's main street, will get you in the mood for this popular eclectic suburb. Once a fashionable residential district and more recently a migrant stronghold, the area has become gentrified by a generation or so of students, artists and inner-city urban dwellers attracted to the bohemian lifestyle. The village atmosphere, interesting people, excellent cafes and restaurants, and vibrant nightlife reveal an alternative Melbourne. Cuisines found here include Tibetan, Thai, Malaysian, Italian and Greek. Several shops retail retro clothing.

Carlton Gardens
Also known as the Exhibition Gardens, these well laid-out gardens feature public art, a huge fountain and avenues of mature trees. Now joined by the new Melbourne Museum, the old Royal Exhibition Building is used for trade shows including the annual International Garden Show, held each April.
Between Rathdowne & Nicholson Streets, Carlton;
Open daily

IMAX Theatre
Located within the Melbourne Museum, the IMAX is the largest and most exciting film format in the world. Films screen on the hour, every hour, from 10am.
Rathdowne Street, Carlton;
Open daily 10 am - 10 pm (11pm Sat & Sun)
Ph: 9663 5454
www.imax.com.au

Melbourne Museum
Just opposite the 19th-century Royal Exhibition Building, this stunning museum has state-of-the art interactive exhibits and several galleries including Aboriginal, history of society and a forest gallery. Learn how the body works in the Mind and Body Gallery and if you are entertaining kids, don't miss the brightly-coloured Children's Museum.
Carlton Gardens, Carlton
Open Daily 10 am - 6 pm
Ph: 13 1102

Melbourne Zoo
Experience the wonders of wildlife at Melbourne Zoo.View more than 350 species of animals on display in naturalistic settings. Highlights include the African and Asian Rainforests displaying gorillas, mandrills and tigers. The Australian Bush exhibit features koalas, kangaroos and wombats.
Elliott Avenue, Parkville
Open every day 9am to 5pm
Ph: 9285 9300
www.zoo.org.au

Royal Park
This popular family park covers 180 hectares. The open spaces include sports facilities for football, cricket, tennis and golf. Parts of Royal Park are being redeveloped as the Game Village for 2006 Commonwealth Games. There are also plenty of quiet places for picnics and family fun.
Elliott Avenue, Parkville;
Open daily

University of Melbourne
Australiaís second oldest university opened its doors in 1852.Visitors are encouraged to wander the grounds of this fine institution and explore some of the old buildings.
Carlton Gardens, Carlton
Open Daily 9 am - 6 pm
Ph: 8341 7777