Getting to the best markets in Melbourne is easy when staying in the city’s only absolute riverfront hotel, Crowne Plaza Melbourne. With access to the Melbourne free tram zone right at your doorstep, comfy and stylish, recently refurbished rooms and stunning views of the city and the Yarra River, it places you in the heart of the best things to see and do in the city.
For locals and travellers alike, visiting Melbournes bustling markets is an absolute must. It’s a great way to check out some of Melbourne’s most renowned artists while spending time outside soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.
Stock up on local produce and meet the people that make, trade, or sell items. From super-fresh produce and handmade items to vintage treasures and second-hand products, the city’s lively markets have everything you need to have a fantastic shopping experience.
Here are some of the absolute best markets to explore when in Melbourne.
Queen Victoria Market
Established in 1878, the Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the entire southern hemisphere. The Vic Market is loud and proud, packed with over 700 stalls and spread out across 7 hectares. The local vendors sell everything including clothes, homeware, crafts, jewellery, and much more.
At the heritage market, you can pick up souvenirs, gifts, and general goods. As well as hot jam doughnuts from the American Doughnut Kitchen van. And if you can’t get there during the day, then you can spice up your Wednesday evenings at QVM Night Market.
This bustling Melbourne night market comes alive after the sun has set with designer stalls, live music, and delicious food stalls galore. Situated in the heart of Melbourne, Queen Vic is a must-visit Melbourne market that attracts locals and tourists alike thanks to its bustling and vibrant atmosphere.
Arts Centre Melbourne Sunday Market
Do you love local? Every Sunday, Arts Centre Melbourne’s lawn is filled with stalls where local artists showcase their unique, handmade creations. From carefully designed crafts to delicious homemade delicacies, the market spells out ‘local’.
This weekly event is the perfect opportunity to experience Melbourne the way the locals do. It’s just a short walk from Flinders Street Station, along St Kilda Road. Drop by and meet Melbourne’s makers and artists in person. Ask them about their products and their inspiration.
Stallholders at this market are selected based on the originality and quality of their goods, be they scarves, jewellery, paintings, clothing, gourmet goodies, organic goods, you name it.
Enjoy the live music and the festive atmosphere as the centre fills the city with colour and excitement. Because here in Melbourne, every Sunday is a cause for celebration!
Camberwell Sunday Market
Since 1976, this amazing Melbourne market has been offering something for everyone. The ultimate home of antiques and vintage items, Camberwell Market is held every Sunday morning and offers homeware lovers everything, from odds and ends to some unique treasures.
Around 370 stalls let visitors comb through an array of vintage clothes, antiques, collectables, crockery, bric-a-brac, furniture, second-hand books, and much more. Even those on a strict budget can pick up a pair of designer jeans.
Head to the Camberwell Market to discover hidden vintage gems, you may just hit the jackpot. The great thing about this market is that it raises funds for an extensive variety of charities and has raised over $9m for the town to date. People looking for retro items or unusual things won’t want to miss out on exploring this unique Melbourne market.
The Rose Street Artists Market
Exhibiting some of Melbourne’s most impressive art and design talent, the Rose Street Artists Market in boho Fitzroy gathers creations of the freshest local artists every Saturday and Sunday. Every weekend, visitors weave their ways through the crowd and browse the stalls filled with weird and wonderful items from Melbourne’s eminent artists.
The Rose Street Artists Market offers a wide variety of stunning, one-of-a-kind artwork pieces, pottery, jewellery, homeware, apparel, cards, furniture, collectables, books, and so much more.
Visitors can discover a huge line-up of creative talent, so expect to feast your eyes on plenty of unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else. This well-known Melbourne market is the perfect spot for art enthusiasts to explore the city’s local art and design creations.
Melbourne Book Market
Formally called FED Square Book Market, Melbourne Book Market is the most beloved and largest weekly book market in Melbourne. With a curated collection of over 5000 new and pre-loved books by Melbourne’s eminent booksellers, authors, and illustrators, this book lovers heaven satisfies every reader’s needs.
You can find books covering just about every subject imaginable. From art and history to literature, travel, and gardening. Plus there is a huge selection of quality second-hand vinyl records and CDs available from some of the markets stallholders.
To give bibliophiles a plethora of ways to spend their spare cash, this market hosts more than 20 pop-up stalls by the founding members. Every week, there is live acoustic music from some of Melbourne’s local artists with special guests making an appearance for book signings. Embrace and satisfy your love for books without breaking the bank..
South Melbourne Market
South Melbourne Market opened its stalls all the way back in 1867. A lot has changed since then, but South Melbourne Market’s stalls remain as some of the best stocked in the whole country. Seafood, cheeses, chocolate; the best of the best.
A reflection of South Melbourne’s wealth, the market is dominated by gourmet dishes, exquisite delicacies and homewares of the highest quality. Be that as it may, the prices are reasonable, especially if you know exactly where to look.
If you’re looking for something sweet, then you would definitely want to give Atypic Chocolate’s dark chocolate tablets a go. How about some spicy Asian fusion at Bambu? Their BBQ pork buns are to die for!
Big on dimmies? You may be able to get these in most fish n’ chips stores here in Victoria, but nothing tastes quite like the real thing. Try them fried or steamed at South Melbourne Market Dim Sims, topped with a generous amount of soy and chilli sauce. These cricket-sized balls of meat, cabbage, and spice goodness are well worth the inevitable mess.
St. Kilda’s Esplanade Market
Since 1970, St. Kilda’s Esplanade Market has been offering a unique market experience with truly artistic roots. Every Saturday, around 175 stalls stretch along St. Kilda’s palm tree-lined Esplanade to showcase local, quality-made products. From homewares, pottery, plants, arts, apparel, beauty and jewellery it’s a shopaholics dream. Jump at the chance to purchase hand-carved goods, hand-made hats, money boxes and the like.
At St. Kilda’s Esplanade Market, foodies can take advantage of the free barbecues and treat themselves to a ride on the Luna Park roller-coaster. Whether you want to spend your day on the foreshore, nibble on the delectable treats or simply admire the impressive craftsmanship of Melbourne’s creative locals, St. Kilda Sunday Market has everything to create a unique and refreshing shopping experience.