1 Day in Carlton: Aquatic to Gothic Wonders

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by Alexander

May 7, 2024 · 1 min read

Carlton 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day adventure through the vibrant heart of Carlton, where the city's pulse can be felt through its iconic attractions. Begin your journey at the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, immersing yourself in the underwater world for an hour of awe-inspiring marine life encounters. Next, elevate your perspective at the Melbourne Skydeck, where you'll spend an hour taking in panoramic views of the city's skyline. Continue to the cultural hub of Fed Square, a masterful blend of art, architecture, and public space, where you'll spend an hour soaking in the bustling atmosphere. Conclude your day with a serene half-hour visit to St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, a spiritual and architectural landmark. This compact itinerary is designed to maximize your experience, offering a taste of Carlton's best in a time-efficient manner.

Top 6 Hotels in Carlton
TOP 1
Crown Towers Melbourne
Crown Towers Melbourne
hotelStar
5/5
155 reviews
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TOP 2
Brady Apartment Hotel Hardware Lane
Brady Apartment Hotel Hardware Lane
hotelStar
4/5
136 reviews
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TOP 3
Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
hotelStar
4/5
187 reviews
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Brady Apartment Hotel Flinders Street
Brady Apartment Hotel Flinders Street
hotelStar
4/5
47 reviews
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Brady Hotels Jones Lane Melbourne
Brady Hotels Jones Lane Melbourne
hotelStar
4/5
132 reviews
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Best Western Melbourne City
Best Western Melbourne City
hotelStar
3/5
144 reviews
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1 Day in Carlton Itinerary: Day 1

1

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

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Kickstart your Carlton adventure at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, a magical marine world nestled on King St. As the first stop of the day, immerse yourself in an underwater journey for an hour, where you'll encounter a kaleidoscope of aquatic life. Marvel at the vibrant coral atolls, get up close with the cheeky penguins, and walk through the transparent tunnels as sharks glide overhead. This aquarium offers an oceanic experience that's both educational and enchanting.

Attraction Info

  • King St, Melbourne VIC 3000
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 03/27-03/28,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 04/15-04/19,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 04/22-04/24,10:00am-5:00pm;Open 10:00am-5:00pm on 04/26;Open from 04/29-05/03,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 05/06-05/10,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 05/13-05/17,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 05/20-05/24,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 05/27-05/31,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 06/03-06/07,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 06/11-06/14,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 06/17-06/21,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 06/24-06/28,10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 03/29-04/14,9:00am-5:00pm;Open from 04/20-04/21,9:30am-5:00pm;Open 9:30am-5:00pm on 04/25;Open from 04/27-04/28,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 05/04-05/05,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 05/11-05/12,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 05/18-05/19,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 05/25-05/26,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 06/01-06/02,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 06/08-06/10,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 06/15-06/16,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 06/22-06/23,9:30am-5:00pm;Open from 06/29-06/30,9:30am-5:00pm,The specific business hours are subject to the opening conditions of the attraction on that day. You can check the official website for accurate information.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

The Meat & Wine Co Southbank
The Meat & Wine Co Southbank
4.6/5 · 41 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Auction Rooms
Auction Rooms
4.4/5 · 20 reviews
2.2 km from attraction
Waterfront Southgate
Waterfront Southgate
4.1/5 · 18 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
No35
No35
4.5/5 · 10 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
Jishan Garden
Jishan Garden
4.9/5 · 10 reviews
2.7 km from attraction
The Grain Store
The Grain Store
4.4/5 · 22 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
11 min,0.82 km
2

Melbourne Skydeck

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Elevate your Carlton escapade with a visit to the Melbourne Skydeck, located on Riverside Quay. After delving into the deep blue, ascend to the highest vantage point in the city for a breathtaking panoramic view. Spend an hour here, basking in the unparalleled vistas of Melbourne's skyline. The Skydeck not only offers a bird's-eye view of the city but also provides interactive displays and telescopes for an engaging experience.

Attraction Info

  • 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 12:00pm-9:00pm
9 min,0.69 km
3

Fed Square

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Continue your cultural exploration at Fed Square, an iconic hub where art meets architecture. Just a stone's throw from the aquarium and cathedral, this landmark is a testament to Melbourne's creative spirit. Dedicate an hour to wander through its dynamic spaces, which host a myriad of events, exhibitions, and performances. The fusion of modern design with heritage buildings makes Fed Square a must-visit destination on your Carlton itinerary.

Attraction Info

  • Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open 24 hours
7 min,0.47 km
4

St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne

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Conclude your day's journey with a serene half-hour at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne. A short stroll from Fed Square, this architectural masterpiece beckons with its Gothic Revival style and peaceful ambiance. Step inside to admire the stained glass windows and intricate stonework, or take a moment for quiet reflection. This church is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Melbourne's historical and cultural significance.

Attraction Info

  • Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open on Mon-Sat,10:00am-5:00pm,The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.
4.3/562 Reviews
4.3/5Excellent62 Reviews
Melbourne Central Business District
Melbourne
|0.11km from St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
4.5/5128 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent128 Reviews
Melbourne Central Business District
Melbourne
|0.14km from St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne

Top Things to Do in Carlton-2024

TOP 1
Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum
4.6/5 · 294 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 4,290 review
Highlights:
The Melbourne Museum was built in July 1996 and officially opened to the public in November 2000. It is the largest and innovative museum in the southern hemisphere. It is located in Carlton Gardens with the Royal Exhibition Hall. 1. Regional introduction The museum has three floors. The first floor includes the Bangiraka Indigenous Cultural Center, the Pacific Exhibition Hall, the Forest Exhibition Hall, the Science and Life Exhibition Hall, the Children's Hall, as well as shops and cafes; the second floor includes the Melbourne Exhibition Hall, the Mind and Body Exhibition Hall, Evolution Showroom; lower level includes Discovery Center and IMAX Cinema. 2. Collections and displays The collections and displays of the Melbourne Museum are amazing. You can see dinosaur fossils at the entrance, and there is also a 20-meter-long blue whale skeleton specimen, which is extremely rare. In more than 20 exhibition halls and independent exhibition halls, the museum has prepared all-inclusive content, and there are more than a dozen permanent exhibitions currently open. 3. Natural culture Nature is obviously the focus of the museum. The Science and Life Pavilion offers "Bees", "Life of Insects", "Ocean Life: Exploring Our Sea", "Human Body", "Consciousness: Enter The Labyrinth" and "From Darwin to DNA" at the Evolution Pavilion. 4. Indoor forest area The three-story indoor forest area introduces the ecological functions of the forest from the forest hierarchy, water conservation, plant composition, the seasonal distinction of Australian forests, and forest fires that often occur in Australia's dry season. There are also some Australian forests in it. Common birds and ants. The "Forest Secret" in the pavilion is at the center of the building, creating an ecosystem that is exactly the same as the natural environment, showing the trees, plants, wildlife and insects in Victoria's high mountains. Walking into the forest corridor, you will see more than 8,000 Australian plants planted here. In addition, there are insect exhibition areas and evolution areas that display the mysteries of the biological world. 5. The style of the style museum is very modern, which forms a strong contrast with the classical style of the Royal Exhibition Hall next to it. In addition to creating a visual effect, the metal frame and glass curtain wall also draw more natural light into the public spaces of the pavilion. You will see that the staff in the museum are wearing brightly colored work clothes, exuding a strong aboriginal cultural style, which contrasts with the avant-garde architectural form.
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TOP 2
Old Melbourne Gaol
Old Melbourne Gaol
4.3/5 · 78 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,271 review
Highlights:
Many tourists are intrigued by the history of the Old Melbourne Gaol. Victoria's oldest surviving prison, which operated from 1845 until 1924, is now one of Australia's most famous museums and attractions. Known to harbor Australia's most violent and notorious criminals, including Australian convict and folk hero Ned Kelly. With most of the original architecture untouched, a tour of the historical prison gives guests a bone-chilling experience. Check out the unique souvenirs and memorabilia at the gift shop, or take a candlelight tour of the prison at your own risk!
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TOP 3
Carlton Gardens
Carlton Gardens
4.3/5 · 66 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 167 review
Highlights:
You can't miss Carlton Gardens, a World Heritage Site, on your next trip to Melbourne, Australia. Although you must travel to the outskirts of the city to visit, it is well worth the trip as these gardens encompass the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum. You can enjoy the contrast the gardens provide from the city of Melbourne, as here you can hike, walk, play tennis and cycle. While you hike, cycle, or simply enjoy nature, your kids can attend the Children's Traffic School and learn about safety. Best of all, your visit to the Carlton Gardens boasts free admission.
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TOP 4
Puffing Billy Railway
Puffing Billy Railway
4.7/5 · 406 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,868 review
Highlights:

The ancient Puffing Billy Railway started in the early 20th century and is now a famous tourist train, becoming one of the more popular tourist activities in Melbourne. The small train has witnessed historical changes in Melbourne for the past hundred years. The small train, with a speed of only 20 kilometers per hour, takes you back to the not so distant past. The open wooden carriage allows you to intimately connect with nature and breathe in the purity of forest air. Shortly after the train leaves the Belgrave station, passengers will see the most famous landmark of the Puffing Billy railway line, the Monbec Creek Trestle. In addition, there are many stations along the way where passengers may exit the train.

△ Ride the small train with a history of more than 200 years

△ Breathe the fresh air and enjoy the natural scenery

△ Put your legs outside the carriage and feel as if you have traveled back to the 20th century

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TOP 5
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
4.7/5 · 685 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 4,034 review
Highlights:

The Melbourne Aquarium is located on the banks of the Yarra River. It's a circular structure decked out in a blue-white color scheme. The aquarium has many exciting areas to explore for an unforgettable travel experience. It's home to Australia's massive Australian saltwater crocodiles, a rich variety of seahorse and sea dragon species as well as king and gentoo penguins. The idea of having a bit of fun with huge sea turtles and hide and seek with Nemo is no fantasy here. You can even take a transparent glass bottom boat for an adventure behind the curtain while traveling back and forth on the water yourself in search of excitement.

△ Watch and feed jellyfish up close

△ Go behind the scenes to see how penguins live

△ Watch divers dance with fish

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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Carlton 1 Day Itinerary