Overview & Location
864 Swanston Street is located in Carlton, Victoria, 3053 — a short walk from the heart of Melbourne’s city centre. The property sits on a major thoroughfare that connects the CBD with the northern suburbs, giving residents access to trams, shops, and food options within minutes. The area is known for its mix of student accommodation, cafes, and parkland, with a noticeably livelier evening atmosphere than the central business district.
The property’s location rating from the in‑house survey is 4.4 out of 5, and residents consistently mention it as a strong point. One Google reviewer wrote: “The location is better than the CBD (which is dead at night by comparison).” Another described it as “a top tier location.” For anyone studying or working in the northern part of the city or at nearby institutions — without naming specific universities — the address offers a practical base.
The building provides studio and apartment unit types. It comes fully furnished, includes bills in the rent, and has laundry facilities on site. The minimum lease term is 4 weeks, making it flexible for shorter stays or semester‑length bookings.
Who Is This Residence For?
This residence suits students or young professionals who prioritise location and value over luxury finishes. Given the weekly price range of A$255 – A$370 (indicative — confirm with the operator), it sits slightly above the city’s reported starting price of A$219 per week but still falls within a reasonable bracket for Carlton. The lower end of the range is competitive for a studio in this part of Melbourne.
The property is a good fit for people who:
- Want to be walking distance to the CBD and public transport without living in a noisy night‑time zone.
- Prefer all‑inclusive pricing (bills covered) so they can budget a single weekly figure.
- Are comfortable with a compact, efficiently designed room — the 4‑week minimum lease allows short stays.
- Value a responsive staff team. The staff rating is 4.4/5, one of the highest dimension scores, and multiple Google reviews praise the warmth and helpfulness of the team.
The indoor spaces dimension scored 3.0/5, and room experience scored 2.5/5, suggesting rooms are functional rather than spacious. If you spend most of your time out and only need a clean, secure place to sleep and study, the trade‑off is likely acceptable.
Who Might Want To Look Elsewhere?
This residence may not suit people who require:
- A large, modern room with new appliances. The room experience rating (2.5/5) and condition rating (3.5/5) indicate that some fixtures may show wear or minor issues. One resident mentioned a heater that wasn’t working properly, and another noted a leaking shower. While these are isolated examples, they point to a building that isn’t freshly renovated.
- Top‑tier amenities beyond basics. Amenities scored 3.5/5. There is no mention of a gym, cinema, or rooftop terrace common in newer purpose‑built student towers. The property focuses on essential comfort rather than luxury perks.
- A quiet, issue‑free move‑in experience. Some reviews report small maintenance problems on arrival. If you are unwilling to flag a broken heater or a leaking showerhead and wait for a fix, this may cause frustration.
- Ultra‑budget weekly rates. The minimum price of A$255 is above Melbourne’s city‑wide starting price of A$219. Students on the tightest budgets may find cheaper options further from the centre or in shared houses.
What Residents Actually Say
Three Google reviews stand out. They are quoted verbatim below (abbreviated where indicated by the source):
“Good value for money, modern decor and simple layout with being a top tier location. You might find something in your room that might not be working properly like a heater in my case which isn’t a big deal when you’re getting probably the best bang for buck in the area. When I presented the heater issue the staff were …”
— Steve Soldati, ★★★★★
“It is a great room for ths size, really well laid out. Honestly, i could live in it for a month happily. The staff are great, they have a very warm presence. The location is better than the CBD (which is dead at night by comparison). Downsides were: * The shower leaked a lot; a short shower and there was water under …”
— Andrew Webb, ★★★★☆
“The staff were absolutely amazing and 100% made the place! Definitely need a massive pay rise!! 🥰 The rooms could have used a FEW up grades, like smart tvs and the decor could have been less cluttered for more space HOWEVER for the price and location I would definitely stay again!”
— Emily Smith, ★★★★☆
The common threads are: great staff, good location, fair price, minor maintenance issues. The overall Google rating of 4.6 stars from 111 reviews suggests the majority of guests have a positive experience, even when they note small downsides.
Price Positioning & Room Types
The property offers studio and apartment layouts. Based on the weekly price range A$255–A$370, studios start at the lower end and larger apartments at the higher end. The deposit is A$250, which is modest relative to many purpose‑built residences.
Melbourne’s city‑wide starting price for student housing on this platform is A$219 per week. 864 Swanston Street’s cheapest option is about 16% above that baseline. However, the Carlton neighbourhood typically commands a premium due to its proximity to the university precinct and a more active street life after dark. Compared to similar properties in the same postcode, the price is within normal bounds.
The value‑for‑money dimension from the in‑house survey is 3.7/5, which aligns with the resident feedback calling it “good value” and “best bang for buck in the area.” If you are looking at the lower‑end studios, the cost‑to‑location ratio is attractive. For the top‑end apartments, you are paying for more space and potentially a better view or layout, but you can compare that against alternatives in Carlton.
Booking Timing Advice
Because the property has no specific “available from” date published, and the minimum lease is only 4 weeks, availability tends to fluctuate. For stays beginning in 2026 or 2027, it is advisable to:
- Book 2–3 months in advance for standard semester start dates (February and July in Australia). Properties with flexible short leases get snapped up quickly by students on exchange or short courses.
- Check regularly if you need a move‑in date inside a term, as cancellations can open up spots with only a few weeks’ notice.
- Contact the operator early about specific room types. Because unit types are limited to studio and apartment, there is no shared‑room option — if you want a private studio, the cheaper ones may sell out first.
- Confirm the exact weekly price at the time of booking. The range A$255–A$370 is indicative; the operator can tell you which units within the building currently fall at each price point.
The staff responsiveness (rated 4.4/5) suggests the management team is likely to handle inquiries promptly, which helps if you have a narrow booking window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the rent include all bills?
Yes. The property tags include “bills_included,” and resident reviews do not mention any separate utility charges. The weekly price covers electricity, water, gas (if applicable), and internet. Confirm the exact scope with the operator before signing, but the listing indicates an all‑inclusive structure.
How is the internet and study environment?
The in‑house survey gave internet a rating of 3.7/5 and study environment 3.5/5. These are mid‑range scores. One resident noted that rooms are well‑laid‑out and they could “live in it for a month happily,” but no review specifically praises or criticises the internet speed. If you rely on video calls or large downloads, it is worth asking the operator about the connection provider and typical speeds.
What is the cancellation or early exit policy?
The source data does not include cancellation terms. Since the minimum lease is 4 weeks, it is likely a fixed‑term agreement with limited early‑exit options. The deposit is A$250, which may be forfeited if you leave before the term ends. Always ask the operator for their specific policy before paying any deposit.
Sources & data date
All cited prices, ratings, and reviews are sourced from the Amberstudent platform (source: amber) and from Google reviews (4.6 stars, 111 reviews). Data retrieved July 2026.
Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are quoted verbatim as they appear on the platform.
For current room availability and accurate pricing, use the on‑site assistant to check live inventory for your preferred dates.
See also: listing details · browse more