Where to find Melbourne’s best Sunday markets
EVERY Sunday, as the sun rises across Melbourne, enthusiastic sellers are filling their vans and setting up shop at the city’s markets.
And it’s lucky for us they’re making the effort, because markets are the perfect antidote to ubiquitous malls and online shopping and a great way to while away a weekend.
Shoppers fill their bags with homemade gifts, clothes, collectibles and homewares that can’t be found anywhere else.
Rather than competing with buyers around the country on eBay, by digging through stalls you might find vintage gem or a designer piece for a bargain price.
Besides, you can’t add a hot jam doughnut, a freshly baked cupcake or a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade to your online shopping cart.
Leader reporters have been all over Melbourne checking out some of the city’s Sunday markets. Here are our favourites:
ROSE ST ARTISTS’ MARKET
Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-5pm, 60 Rose St, Fitzroy.
Soak up the cool urban vibe and check out the creations of inner-city artists and designers at this weekly affair. There is everything from art, photography, clothing and jewellery to homewares. There’s also great coffee, homemade lemonade and tasty treats. Located just off Brunswick St and Nicholson St, you can catch the 96 tram from Bourke or the 11 tram from Collins St.
Details: rosestmarket.com.au
GISBORNE OLDE TIME MARKET
First Sunday, 9am-2pm, service roads of Aitken St and Hamilton St.
Feel like a Sunday drive? Head to the Macedon Ranges for Gisborne’s monthly country-style craft market, which has been running since the 1970s. Set under the town’s gorgeous oak trees you’ll find lots of plants, ceramics, knitwear, wooden toys, jewellery, jams, soaps, produce, hot food and baked goods across 250 stalls. A second market with another 100 stalls is held at the same time in and around the Gisborne Village Shopping Centre (22 Brantome St). Take the kids to the CFA-themed adventure playground at the nearby Gisborne Botanical Gardens to burn off some steam.
Details: gisborneoldetimemarket.com.au
MORNINGTON RACECOURSE MARKET
Second Sunday, 9am-2pm, Racecourse Rd.
This market is the perfect first stop on a Mornington Peninsula daytrip. There are more than 300 stalls and lots of plants, art, sewing products, terrariums, candles, screen printed clothing, wooden toys, baked goods and even authors selling copies of their books. Sample some treats from the popular Uncle John’s Licorice stall or fill up on hot pies. Kids will love the animal farm, face painting and train ride which is on most months.
Details: craftmarkets.com.au/
BENTLEIGH SUNDAY MARKET
Every Sunday, 7am-12pm, Bentleigh train station car park, Bent St. Entry: gold coin donation
If you love a bit of bric-a-brac and hunting for a bargain, you’ll love rummaging around this market. There’s a good mix of regular stall holders and people clearing out their garages and cupboards. There’s always something new, or used, to see including plants, jewellery, books and clothing. If it’s raining there are three op shops on Centre Rd open on Sundays, so your trip is never wasted.
Details:bentleighmarket.org
DANDENONG MARKET
Every Sunday, 10am-3pm, corner Clow and Cleeland Streets.
This is one of Melbourne’s oldest, largest, most colourful and culturally diverse markets. There are separate sections for fruit and veg, meat and seafood, produce and general merchandise. You can do your groceries here much cheaper than at the supermarket and fill up on market favourites including jam doughnuts and gozleme. It’s open four days a week but on Sundays there’s free parking and live music.
Details: dandenongmarket.com.au
ELTHAM COMMUNITY CRAFT AND PRODUCE MARKET
Third Sunday (February-October), first and third Sunday (November- December), Alistair Knox Park, Panther Place.
All goods for sale at this leafy venue, with a view of Eltham’s historic trestle bridge, are made by the stallholders. You’ll find food, wine, sculptures, keepsakes, chopping boards, kids clothes, baby blankets, stationery, jewellery, leadlights, plants, honey and much more. The market is less than a 10 minute walk from Eltham train station and street parking is available on Main Rd.
Details:elthammarket.com.au
CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET
Every Sunday, 7am-12.30pm, Camberwell Marketplace Car Park, Station St. Entry: Gold coin donation.
For many Melburnians Camberwell’s iconic market is pretty much the only thing that will get them up before 7am on a Sunday. This is a great place to buy or sell second-hand goods as the organisers allow only used or handcrafted items in their stalls. You might find a designer piece or two amid the racks of clothes or some true gems in the piles of books, collectibles and bric-a-brac. Buskers such as Ross Hannaford (Daddy Cool) and Bart Willoughby (No Fixed Address) add to the fun.
CARIBBEAN GARDENS AND MARKET
Every Sunday, 8.30am-4.30pm (also open Wednesdays and Fridays), 1280 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby
If there’s something you want, there’s probably a stall for it at this market. You’ll find electrical items, shoes, clothes, art, trinkets, fresh produce, pies, sweets ... everything! You can even get a massage or your tarot cards read if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s a great place to visit year round with about 1200 undercover stalls and 150 outside. Best of all there are fantastic gardens, children’s rides and a playground. It’s a great family day out.
Details: caribbeangardens.com.au/
FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE MARKET
Third Sunday but not September, November or January, 9am-2pm, Epsom Rd
Get a taste of the country without leaving the city at this inner-suburban market which is held most months. Kids clothes and toys, baby gifts, garden items, cards and candles and are sold alongside fresh fruit and veg. There’s 200-250 stalls.
Details:craftmarkets.com.au
What’s your favourite Sunday market? Tell us below.