With over 600 traders, the Vic Market is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere and attracts thousands of shoppers. It's where Melburnians sniff out fresh produce among the booming cries of spruiking fishmongers and fruit-and-veg vendors. The wonderful deli hall (with art deco features) is lined with everything from soft cheeses, wines and Polish sausages to Greek dips, truffle oil and kangaroo biltong. Plans for a major overhaul are afoot, although the market's core is unlikely to change much.
Saturday mornings are particularly buzzing, with marketgoers having breakfast to the sounds and shows of buskers. Clothing and knick-knack stalls dominate on Sundays; they're big on variety, but don’t come looking for style. (If you’re in the market for sheepskin moccasins or cheap t-shirts, you’ll be in luck.)
On Wednesday evenings from mid-November to the end of February the Summer Night Market takes over. It’s a lively social event featuring hawker-style food stalls, bars and music and dance performances. There's also a winter night market each Wednesday evening in August.
The market has been on this site for more than 130 years; before that, from 1837 to 1854, it was the old Melbourne Cemetery (remarkably, around 9000 bodies remain buried here, from underneath Shed F to the carpark leading to Franklin St). There's a small memorial on the corner of Queen and Therry Sts.
A number of tours are run from the market, including heritage, cultural and foodie tours; check website for details.
