Carlton Gardens fountain and autumn trees catching the sunlight in front of the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

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Garden views

If you’re a big fan of the warmth and beauty of autumn colours, there’s few places prettier than Carlton Gardens, a spot that has even been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. No matter the season, there are flowerbeds aplenty, ornamental lakes and magnificent fountains like the one you see today. The Gardens even host plantings in honour of the Dalai Lama. Then there is the Royal Exhibition Building – the oldest surviving building from the Great Exhibition.

Built to help epitomise the wealth, excitement and energy of the city, the building was the focal point of the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition (a world fair designed to showcase the achievements of nations) which attracted over three million visitors - bringing with them culture, technology and ideas from around the world. Today it continues to stand strong amongst the gardens, which only add to the site’s beauty this time of year.