The Markets Of Melbourne

For the main markets in Melbourne, the 31st of August brings Market Week 2012 for the main markets such as Queen Victoria and Prahran. Until the 9th of September, there are a multitude of events being held to celebrate the event, such as cook-offs, workshops and competitions. There has never been a better time to explore the market life in Melbourne, and to give you a little market diversity we’ve extracted some Melbournian insider knowledge and included some of the charming flea markets such as Camberwell and Rose Street, which are a must-visit for special second-hand, vintage and antique discoveries.

Queen Victoria Market

A truly historic market, Queen Victoria has been held dear in the hearts of Melbournians for 130 years. It remains the destination for locals to pick up fresh meat, fish and vegetables on a day-to-day basis, while simultaneously catering for the large influx of tourists. Fifty per cent of the market is overflowing with fresh produce, with bountiful offerings of fruit, vegetables, meat, chicken, seafood and delicatessen products each with its own precinct in the market. The history of the place is perhaps what makes it so endearing; the Deli Hall having been built in 1927, and housing authentic delicacies, whilst the Meat Hall that was built way back in 1868 now houses 20 butchers, 10 fishmongers and 3 fresh poultry traders.

The other half of the market is dedicated to clothes, homeware, café’s and speciality goods. The Victoria St shops are quaint, offering a boutique-style shopping experience, whilst the Elizabeth Street precinct is dotted with charming coffee shops and gourmet food shops. String Bean Alley is the home of the hand-crafted joys in life, filled with bespoke furniture, candles, clocks, home-ware and beauty products. For younger shoppers, the F Shed Laneway is littered with mobile phone accessories, CDs, DVDs and Vinyls, as well as quirky, cutesy ‘tweenage’ clothing and novelty items.

Prahran Market

If you’re an obsessive foody that sweats over fresh, speciality foods then Prahran Market is the one you should take a trip to in Melbourne. Open from Tuesday until Sunday from 7am (Sundays start from 10am), it boasts a huge selection of heirloom and artisan products, mostly local, but peppered with exotic choices.

It prides itself as one Melbourne’s oldest and tastiest food market, and encourages visitor interaction by means of cooking demonstrations and cook-offs, all the while supporting Victoria’s farming, as well family owned businesses and Melbourne’s food variety. This is one of our favourite markets in Melbourne that has a variety of things to do.

Rose Street Artists Market

For a truly bohemian market shopping experience, Rose Street Artists Market reflects the eclectic buzz of Fitzroy in all the things available to purchase. Specialising in arts and crafts, all the 70 artists and designers from Melbourne offer provocative and innovative goods, and with over 400 different artists and designers frequenting the location every year, it’s one to go back to again and again, because you’ll always come across something new. Gourmet cafés and live music encourage people to gather and enjoy the ambience of the area every Saturday, and you’ll find that many of the stallholders will strike up delighted conversation if you have any questions of express interest in their work. A must-visit if you’re heading into Fitzroy and want to explore the markets of Melbourne.

Camberwell Sunday Market

An honest and chilled out flea market, Camberwell Sunday Market is a good 20 minutes from Melbourne’s city centre, but for those who like to hunt and scavenge in their market visits, Camberwell is the place to go. Set up in a car park, the selection of second-hand, vintage, bric-a-brac and novelty stalls are numerous, in fact the possibilities are so vast we can’t even predict what you might find!

Sunday is Camberwell day, have your haggling skills brushed up, because most of the stallholders will knock off a couple of dollars if you give them a good laugh. Give some, you win some!
Popular with sellers and buyers alike, it makes a good day trip away from the main bustle of the city, and as always if you get up there early, you’re sure to have the best pick from an abundance of wonderful unique items from one of Melbourne’s best markets.

The Esplanade Market, St Kilda

Every Sunday The Esplanade at St Kilda creative stallholders set up shop for the day all along the beach front, offering up innovative and creative works of art for crowds of eager visitors to enjoy. It has been constructed as a creative outlet for local artists since 1970; intended to be a place for the dedicated artists to display and sell everything from paintings, photography, fashion accessories, clothes, jewellery, sculptures, leather goods amongst much more. Jewellery designers are particularly prominent, make sure you seek out Jaap, a stall selling handmade talismanic pendants, or Calypso Flash for hand-cast silver-plated pewter art nouveau pieces.

Over 200 of Victoria’s artists and craftworkers frequent this market, so there is a united feeling of community amongst the stallholders which combined with the location makes for a great day out for tourists and locals alike. The best way to get there is by hopping on Tram 16 or 96, which will take you right to the beachfront. After you’ve rambled along all 150 stalls, there is no reason why you can’t head to the beach to kick your sandals off if the weather encourages it!