Lately, there’s been a growing dissent among Melbourne locals that the city is too “boring” and “small”, citing its small size in comparison to larger cities like Tokyo, Paris, and Seoul. Though I beg to differ, as I find myself having the opposite issue: too much to do and not enough time.
There’s a particular recurring activity that always has become a weakness among my friends: weekend markets. Having visited Tokyo and Seoul multiple times and gone on countless shopping sprees, the weekend markets of Melbourne feature one-of-a-kind finds that you’d be hard pressed to find in a bustling city without paying an inflated price at curated vintage stores in gentrified neighbourhoods.
The markets hold so much charm and whimsy, entertaining enough to just peruse the selection of vendors and goods without buying anything. This article explores the numerous weekend markets of Melbourne, so you can decide which one to visit on your precious weekend.
Common Market Finds
Certain markets feature certain types of vendors or specialised offerings: such as the Rose Street Artists’ Market. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common categories you can find at pretty much any market:
Clothes & Accessories: You’ll definitely encounter racks of vintage, regular pre-loved, and reworked clothes. Retro or Y2K accessories like bags, sunglasses, and caps are extremely common too.
Handmade Arts & Crafts: Jewellry, art prints, and ceramics designed by small artists are the most popular in this category. Expect to see candles, crochet or knit trinkets, or wood carvings occasionally.
Collectibles: Expect rows of film and digital cameras or boxes of vinyl records. Antique items like coins, stamps, and other miscellaneous collections are scattered throughout.
Fresh Produce & Food: Some markets have a bigger focus on selling fresh fruits and vegetables like farmer’s markets. More often than not, each market will have street food that you can eat while walking around, usually hot sandwiches and coffee. There’s also loads of food vendors selling jam from local farms or specialty alcohol.
Furniture: In bigger markets in the suburbs, you’re able to find antique wood furniture or woodworkers selling their own work.
Classic Secondhand Markets — For Rummagers
Where you go for a wardrobe refresh and bargain hunting.
1. Fitzroy Market (Rose Street)
By far the most popular market for its all-in-one offerings, relative proximity to the CBD, and vibrant surrounding neighbourhood. While the market has a little bit of everything, the racks of vintage clothes and early 2000s accessories stand out. Enjoy freshly made breakfast bites while you browse the numerous jewellry stores at the outdoor booths or enjoy the occasional busking performance.
Open from 10am – 3pm every Saturday and Sunday, the Fitzroy Market is the de facto market to go when you want to begin your weekend off with an early start. I’d personally recommend going at 12pm and grab a bite while you walk around until the market ends, ending the day with a jaunt down the suburb.
2. Camberwell Sunday Market (Market Place Camberwell)
Perhaps my favourite despite only being open from 7am – 12:30pm on Sunday, the market truly feels like a classic flea market where you’re rummaging through trash for treasure. The sprawling market in the closed carpark is even more expansive than the Fitzroy Market and feels less polished, perfect for those ready to get a steal.
Visitors always note the truly mismatched goods crowded onto tables and overflowing to the floor: racks of clothes, vintage jewellry, antique collections, old toys, broken electronics. Instead of wondering what you can find, you should be asking what you can’t find here. I’ve bought everything from silver jewellry, books, and even Hot Wheel cars from the 90s.
3. Coburg Trash & Treasure Market (Newlands Road)
Despite having the word “trash” in its name, the market is anything but, heralded as some’s favourite market of all time. Structured similarly to the Camberwell Sunday Market but open from 8am – 2pm instead, expect to see vendors display their wares on towels on the floor.
You can find the most random assortment being sold, from old video game titles, old vacuum cleaners, broken calculators, and antiques. A true treasure market where prices are dirt cheap and bargaining is normal, you’re in to see interesting interactions. A visitor even said that the $1 entrance fee was worth the people watching and giggling at the certified trash you come across at times.
Design & Maker Markets — For Gifts & Home
Where you go to buy something special for you or your loved ones.
4. Rose Street Market (Rose Street)
If you think the Fitzroy Market couldn’t get any better, think again. What makes it the starter option is the fact that just across the street is another market.
Only featuring small artists with their handmade creations, you’re able to satisfy your want for something unique and meaningful. Handmade jewellry made from precious stones, silver, and unique materials are particularly popular but you’re able to spot more than a few artists selling art prints. With the same opening times as its counterpart, have fun admiring these creations and chatting with artists!
5. Sunday Market Southgate (Southgate Avenue)
Located at the entrance of Melbourne’s arts precinct, some might previously know the market as the Arts Centre Sunday Market. Loved for its central location opposite Flinders Street Station with a front-row view of South Yarra, it’s the perfect Sunday afternoon activity.
Paintings, particularly of the watercolour variety, are displayed proudly in frames, with their artists more than happy to strike a conversation with! When the market has closed at 4pm, head up the upper floors of Southgate and continue your shopping or have an early dinner with the review view.
6. St Kilda Esplanade Market (The Esplanade)
Travel a bit further from the CBD and have the chance to experience an art market by the beach. The atmosphere is lively and bustling, with Luna Park — the oldest amusement park in the country — just a 3 minute walk away as the backdrop.
Walk along the road for authentic Australian crafts, especially jewellry featuring precious gems, beach-themed home decor, or custom spray-painted trucker hats. The Sunday market opens from 10am – 4pm, giving you the perfect opportunity to get fresh fish and chips from the food trucks for lunch and a visit to Luna Park with the family, which closes at 7pm.
Every chord and drumbeat was performed live. There’s no backing track, no safety net – just real musicianship. The pacing was relentless, the humour was deliciously cheeky and the atmosphere stayed electric right till the final anthem.
Farmers’ Markets — For Serious Eaters
Where you go to shop for groceries and snack your way through the weekend.
7. Queen Victoria Market (Elizabeth Street)
Open almost everyday from 6am – 3pm, the market is the closest to the CBD, just a tram stop away from Melbourne Central. Like Fitzroy Market, it’s an all-in-one spot with loads of souvenirs, handmade clothes, and jewellry booths.
However, it’s primarily known for its indoor fresh produce hall where visitors can buy locally grown vegetables for half the price and double the flavour, meat, seafood, and deli ingredients. As if it couldn’t get any better, the market becomes a night market from 5pm onwards every Wednesday according to the season. Satisfy all your cravings with the wide selection of cuisine available: Mexican, Filipino, German, Greek, and much more!
8. South Melbourne Market (Coventry Street)
The quintessential village market is a beloved landmark where people come to get groceries. The all wood interiors feel quaint and like you’re in a countryside village compared to the Queen Victoria Market. Described as a foodie paradise, get your grocery shopping done from 8am – 4pm on Wednesdays and the weekends, getting the freshest produce from local farms, from the land to the sea.
It’s also a fantastic brunch spot with a seating area, ranging from delis, pastries, fresh oyster, and paella. My friends and I love going on an otherwise quiet Wednesday for brunch — fresh prawns on our last visit — and splitting up for groceries after.
9. Prahran Market (Commercial Road)
Proudly holding the title of Australia’s oldest market, established in 1864, the produce is especially high-quality due to the abundance of small farms and market gardens in the suburb, making shipments practically door-to-door.
Recognised for its speciality ingredients such as gourmet meats from delis, artisanal cheese from cheesemongers, and much more, the market is extremely popular with chefs. There are plenty of takeaway options and bakeries for those who want something to eat as well. Though open from 7am – 5pm on most days, don’t arrive too early as the majority of the vendors will still be closed.
What Should You Know Before Going?
Bring Your Own Bag(s)
In the spirit of shopping from small businesses, bring your own bag! Many vendors prefer not to provide bags or even straight up don’t provide any, so do yourself a favour and bring a few, especially if you’re shopping for groceries. I’ve found bringing a few sizes helps: smaller ones for jewellry and trinkets, and larger ones for clothes and food items.
Cash Is Still King
Though most places accept card payments, whether it be PayID or tap-and-go, many vendors still prefer cash and will even give you discounts. However, the Coburg Trash & Treasure Market is cash-heavy, so take note if you’re planning on visiting.
Take A Cab With Friends
The one thing these markets have in common is their early opening hours and early closing times. For those not used to rising early like myself, trying to make it to the market at 10am seems nigh impossible. A workaround my friend group has found is to split a cab there — giving us the extra 1 hour sleep we need — and taking the public transport back. The fares are usually fairly cheap and come up to $3 – $5 per person for a group of 4.
Show The Markets Some Appreciation
Hailing from one of the smallest nations in the world, Singapore’s market culture is vastly different. Besides the regular wet markets or seasonal food markets, Singapore has one-off or annual artists fairs, usually hosted in a packed, air-conditioned exhibition hall due to our humid weather.
Not exactly the same vibe as spending the weekend mornings basking in the sun as you breathe in the fresh air, walking through booths at your leisurely pace. I’m sure you can see why the regular occurrence of markets in Melbourne makes me envious. Not only can you visit basically anytime you want, there’s no line to enter, and you can find unique pieces at a reasonable price.
As vendors rotate and their wares changing every time you visit, no two markets will ever be the same. Even for those not looking to purchase anything, you can always admire the eccentric, whimsical, and esoteric items on display for your personal enjoyment. With only weekend afternoons to visit, I guarantee that you’ll be hard pressed to be bored of them anytime soon.
