Feature Trip
Markets, Brunch and Museums – Exploring Northern Melbourne
The suburbs of North Melbourne, Carlton and Fitzroy are three of Melbourne’s most exciting. Arts, culture, food and history all collide in the space just north of the CBD. The money you save with an iUSEpass as an international student travelling to the area means you have more to spend enjoying your day (and buying an extra pizza at dinner!).
You can easily fill a whole day exploring (and eating your way through) Melbourne’s north, starting with a renowned Melburnian brunch; picking up fresh produce and indulging in free samples at the city’s most famous markets; making your way through museums; and finally enjoying a plate of pasta in ‘Little Italy’ – which is exactly what we did!
With the help of twins, Leonardo and Leandro, we have put together a guide to the best of Melbourne’s northern suburbs for international students.
Getting there
With its close proximity to the city centre, there are plenty of bus and tram options to get you to Melbourne’s northern suburbs. You can also catch the train to North Melbourne Station. By using Public Transport Victoria’s handy Journey Planner, you can see what transport options and routes are available to you.
If you’re an international undergraduate student, you may be eligible for an Undergraduate Student Education pass (iUSEpass), which will save you 50% on unlimited public transport travel for a year.
Stop 1: The best brunch in Melbourne
Everyone in Melbourne has their go-to brunch spot. In North Melbourne, a must-visit is the Auction Rooms. After an incredible meal (and an obligatory cup of coffee), check out the shops along Errol St, or head to Mörk Chocolate Brew House for one of their famous hot chocolates.
Stop 2: Queen Victoria Markets
The iconic Queen Victoria Markets have been operating since 1878. They’re home to over 600 small businesses, and as an international student, it’s the perfect place to pick up fresh produce, hand-made products, and great coffee and food. Leonardo and Leandro were able to pick up some fresh vegetables for dinners that week, as well as drinks from Market Lane Coffee and baked goodies from Borek Shop.
Stop 3: Lygon St
These are so many incredible eateries around Melbourne that it can be difficult to pick where to go! However, as a general rule, Lygon St in Carlton is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a good feed. Known as ‘Little Italy’, and famous for being where Melbourne’s café culture was born, the Lygon St precinct is packed with incredible Italian restaurants. With Leonardo and Leandro, we sampled fresh pasta at D.O.C Espresso, gelato from Lavezzi Gelateria, Greek doughnuts from Lukumades, and pizza at Cafe Corretto.
Stop 4: Melbourne Museum and the Royal Exhibition Building
No visit to Carlton is complete without a trip to the Melbourne Museum – the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a centre for science, art, Melbourne history, and is home to the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. As an international student, you get free entry into the museum – just make sure you have your student ID card with you.
From your vantage point at the Melbourne Museum, you can’t miss the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building. Construction of this UNESCO World Heritage Site finished in 1880. Events are regularly held in the building, from Lego conventions, to vegan markets.
It’s incredibly easy to get to the Carlton Gardens via tram or bus, and you have the convenience of two major Melbourne highlights right next to each other.
How will you spend your day in Melbourne’s northern suburbs?
Get an iUSEpass
If you’re an international undergraduate student, you may be eligible for an Undergraduate Student Education pass (iUSEpass), which will save you 50% on unlimited public transport travel for a year!
Our Trips
Keen to uncover more of Melbourne? With the help of our international student guides, we have hand-picked some of the city's best spots for you to discover. Each are packed with popular highlights and little-known (but must-visit!) destinations. Check them out now!
