Shopping Melbourne's Markets
Australian City Boasts Widest Array of Market Shopping in Hemisphere
Designer clothes, deli food, antique typewriters, victorian fountains, one-of-a-kind knit sweaters are among the treasures to be unearthed at Melbourne's public markets.
Melbourne, with more than 400 markets, could probably be called the “Market Capital of the World.” Since no visitor to the city could sample them all, the following provides information on some of the best.
Food Markets
Victoria Market – said to be Australia’s largest public market -- dates back to 1857. More than 600 stalls which cover approximately 17.5 acres (seven hectares) brim with cauliflower, carrots and kiwifruit; super-size red bell peppers; punnets (cartons) of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, pyramids of papaya and mangos. Adjacent to the produce area, the meat and seafood stalls feature lamb at bargain prices and varieties of fish not found in the northern hemisphere. Next to the meat section is a gourmet’s paradise with about three dozen delicatessens with everything from chocolates and caviar to local sausages and cheeses for sale. All stalls are not open on the same days or during the same hours.
Craft Markets
Established in 1979, the Hawthorn Craft Market (Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn) features more than 100 stalls offering high quality merchandise such as children’s toys and costumes, knitted sweaters and hats, hand-made jewelry, pottery and bags. The market takes place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month (except December and January).
Every Sunday, as many as 200 stalls line the Upper Esplanade in the once posh suburb of St. Kilda. The crafts are a mixed bag of the commonplace to real treasures. But Even though the items for sale on any given day may not be impressive, the setting with its palm trees and sweep of beach outlining Port Phillip Bay is always a knockout. Most stalls are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or later.
Art Markets
It’s easy to find works by top Australian artists including Joanne Hook, Spencer and Dianna Crooke in Melbourne galleries, but the best way to find really good work by undiscovered artists is by checking out the weekly and monthly art markets. Among the best are St. Rose Artists Market (60 Rose Street, Fitzroy) and Nunawading Market (outside Civic Centre, Nunawading; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., fourth Sunday of each month except 2nd Sunday in December).
High-Style Shopping
Fashionistas find clothes with designer labels like Akira Isogawa and Lisa Ho on Prahan’s Chapel Street and High Street Armandale. Savvy shoppers who love high style, but hate high prices patronize the designer markets that operate only on weekends. For example, independent and emerging fashion designers sell their one of a kind and limited edition clothes and accessories on 10 a.m.-5 p.m Sundays at the Living Art Market (2a Brighton Rd ,St. Kilda Primary School, in St. Kilda. Another good prospect is the aforementioned Rose Street Artists Market, which showcases 50 contemporary designers and artists each week from 11 am to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Flea Markets
Though flea markets aren’t for every traveler, they provide an interesting window on the artifacts in local people’s lives. Weekly flea markets merchandise in Melbourne can include everything from sparkplugs to stray pieces of Royal Doulton china, drawer pulls, antique picture frames, crocheted tea cozies and 78 rpm phonograph records. Two of the largest, with free admission and family atmosphere are the Prince of Wales Showground Market (Holmes Road in Bendigo; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sundays) and Coburg Trash & Treasures Market (Village Drive-in Theatre, Coburg; 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sundays).
Many of these markets also include stalls dispensing snacks and meals, as well as live entertainment provided by jazz bands, jugglers, kiddie rides and even a live elephant. The most comprehensive source of information about Melbourne’s markets – including locations and hours of operation is called White Hat.
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