Find fresh food, clothing, gifts or other items at markets throughout Victoria. From Melbourne's famous Queen Victoria Market (Australia's largest open-air market), to small community farmers markets in regional Victoria, you never know what you'll find!
- Arts Centre Sunday Market - www.theartscentre.com.au
- Down at the Arts Centre in St Kilda Road, which is just a short walk from Flinders Street Station, you'll find the Sunday Market, with over 150 under cover stalls selling locally handmade ceramics, textiles, woodwork, jewellery and photography. You can purchase a unique Australian gift or souvenir to take home, directly from the craftsman or artisan who created it. How about some lovely organic tea, a funky sculpture or a fine piece of handmade jewellery crafted from Australian opals?
- Ballarat Antique Fair - www.ballaratantiquefair.com.au
- If you happen to be in Ballarat in March, and have a penchant for old things, a must see is the Ballarat Antique Fair. Started back in 1971, the Ballarat Antique fair is held annually on the Labour Day weekend. This is the largest and longest running antique fair held in Australia and it's held at the Badminton Centre in Wendouree, just a hop, skip and a jump from Ballarat's city centre. You'll find a bunch of stall holders with something to suit everyone.
- Caribbean Gardens & Market - www.caribbeangardens.com.au
- For an interesting experience, visit the Caribbean Gardens and Market, Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby. This market is massive and offers a huge variety of products for sale from fresh produce, arts and crafts, giftware to computers and bric-a-brac. The market is surrounded by 40 hectares of gardens including the beautiful Lake Caribbean. There are picnic areas, BBQs and childrens rides.
- Piazza Italia Market On Lygon - www.piazzaitaliamarket.com.au
- The Piazza Italia Market is held within Lygon Street's gourmet food district in Carlton. This hand made craft and produce market offers great products, unique gifts and fresh produce direct from the farm. Be inspired by creative artisans and enjoy food for the soul, then stay on and enjoy an evening of great food at the many restaurants in Lygon Street.
- Queen Victoria Market - www.qvm.com.au
- One of Melbourne's shopping icons is the Queen Victoria Market. Operating since 1878 and with over 1,000 stalls as well as market buildings and sheds, this is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. Selling every possible item, from meat, fruit and vegetables, to clothing, shoes, bags, toys, jewellery and souvenirs, it is also Melbourne's most cosmopolitan market. Queen Victoria Market also offers an excellent cooking school experience and it's so large that Queen Vic operates guided tours of the main produce areas.
- Red Hill Market - www.craftmarkets.com.au/redhill
- Red Hill Market, on the Mornington Peninsula at Red Hill, is known as the "grand dame" of Victoria's craft markets and is very popular with both locals and visitors. Operating since 1975, the Red Hill Market features up to 300 stalls of gourmet produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, quality Australian made art and craft. The market is run on the first Saturday of each month, from September to May. Other markets operating on the Mornington Peninsula and well worth checking out are the Mornington Racecourse Market and Mornington Main Street Market.
- The Esplanade Market - www.esplanademarket.com.au
- The Esplanade Market in St Kilda has been operating every Sunday since 1970. It features stalls almost 200 local artists and craftspeople displaying and selling their work direct to the public.
Other selected markets in Victoria:
- Akoonah Park Market in Berwick
- Dandenong Market in Dandenong
- Daylesford Sunday Market in Daylesford
- Dromana Sunday Market in Dromana
- Mill Market in Daylesford and Geelong
- Pipeworks Market in Campbellfield
- Prahran Market in South Yarra
- Preston Market in Preston
- Rose Street Artist Market in Fitzroy
- South Melbourne Market in South Melbourne
Farmers markets
Farmers markets are becoming quite popular as people seek fresh, locally grown food. These markets are typically held at a public venue (usually outdoors), and often you'll meet the maker, baker or grower of what you're buying.
- Mansfield Farmers Market - www.mansfieldfarmersmarket.com.au
- Situated in Victoria's beautiful high country at Mansfield, the Mansfield Farmers Market provides fresh regional produce direct from the farmer. It is held at the local primary school and you can even enjoy breakfast there to help kick-start your shopping experience.
- Traralgon Farmers Market - www.traralgonfarmersmarket.org.au
- This market sells fresh regional produce from around Gippsland and is run by the local Lions club. It is held on the fourth Saturday of the month in the Kay Street Gardens, Traralgon.
- Veg Out Farmers Market - www.vegout.asn.au
- St Kilda is home to the Veg Out Farmers' Market, held on the first Saturday of each month. This market will appeal to the environmentally conscious as it specialises in home grown organic and low impact foods including veggies, herbs, juices, cheeses, honey, wine, smoked meat and fish and free range eggs.
- Yarra Valley Farmers Market - www.yarravalleyfood.com.au
- One of Victoria's longest running farmers markets, it is held at the historic barn at Yering Station in Yarra Glen. Purchase fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, eggs, coffee, jams, preserves, bread, pasta and much more. Make a day of it by also visiting some of the Yarra Valley's great wineries.
View farmers markets in Victoria.
