Rose St Market, Dandenong, Camberwell Sunday Market: Victoria’s best markets

From cheese tasting at Red Hill, to finding treasures at Rose St Fitzroy, there’s no shortage of amazing markets to explore across the state.

The Rose St Market runs in Fitzroy every Saturday and Sunday. Picture: The Rose St Artists’ Market Facebook page.

After enduring a tough 2020, markets across Victoria are welcoming back customers again.

The popular Craft Markets Australia, operating at locations including Red Hill, Mornington and Yarra Glen, have made a triumphant return, along with the Camberwell Sunday Market.

The popular Rose Street Artists’ Market in Fitzroy is also operating every Saturday and Sunday, with stallholders selling locally handmade and designed products, including art, homewares, plants, fashion and jewellery.

Manager Christian Ferrante said it was “pretty emotional” to welcome stallholders and customers back.

“We’ve had quiet and busy days, it’s a bit of a variation at the moment,” he said.

“Clearly people are worried or are maybe a bit reluctant to spend too much at the moment; the visitation numbers are really good, so we’re getting lots of people here, but it’s just the sales are hit and miss and you can’t blame anyone for that at this point.”

Mr Ferrante urged shoppers to support local businesses post COVID.

“There are so many amazingly talented makers born and bred locally,” he said.

“These are the guys we should be supporting.

“Then go to the local pub after a day at the market – these are the things that will get us back on our feet quicker than shopping online and sending money somewhere else.”

The Gully market is also back operating every Saturday and Sunday in the carpark of the Upper Ferntree Gully train station, at the base of the Dandenong Ranges.

Stallholder Dennis Luke urged people to head along and support local traders.

“A lot of the people that have stalls at local markets; that’s their livelihood,” he said.

Check out our guide to some of the best markets across the state.

RED HILL COMMUNITY MARKET

266 Arthurs Seat Rd

Red Hill is described as ‘the great dame’ of Victoria’s markets, with more than 300 stalls to explore in a picturesque location. After you’ve enjoyed tiny pancakes, scones or some hot chips and calamari from one of the many food stalls, there’s plenty of treasures to be found among the stalls, with clothing, plants, jewellery, cheese and gin among the offerings.

The market is held on the first Saturday of the month from September to May.

Details: craftmarkets.com.au

CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET

Market Place, Camberwell

From vintage Queen records to handmade jewellery, there’s plenty of stalls to explore at the Camberwell Sunday Market, an eastern suburbs’ institution that has been running since 1976. Hot jam doughnuts and plenty of great coffee shops nearby will help make the early start a bit easier.

Entry is via a gold coin donation to Rotary.

Details: camberwellsundaymarket.org

DANDENONG MARKET

Corner of Clow and Cleeland St

Home to the popular Dandee Donuts, the market is known as a foodie’s paradise, offering cuisines from all over the world.

The perfect go-to location for fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, nuts, honey, flowers, plants and more.

If you’re looking for a caffeine hit, Perfect Coffee lives up to its name.

The market is open every day except Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Details: dandenongmarket.com.au

SOUTH MELBOURNE MARKET

322-326 Coventry St

Probably best known for being home to the famous South Melbourne dim sims, with the “cricket ball-sized dimmies” drawing visitors to the market since 1949.

The market first opened in 1867, and is now home to a range of stallholders offering fresh food, clothing, jewellery and more.

As well as the Cecil St culinary strip, Padre Coffee and Market Lane is nearby if you need a caffeine hit.

Open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am.

Details: southmelbournemarket.com.au

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET

Queen St, Melbourne

Located in the heart of the city, the famous market has been running since 1878, with stalls offering a range of fresh produce, as well as clothing, jewellery and other handmade items.

The market also hosts foodie tours, and an incredibly popular night market during summer.

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Details: qvm.com.au

ROSE ST MARKET

60 Rose St

The Fitzroy market showcases the work of up to 120 creatives, from furniture to fashion.

Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Details: rosestmarket.com.au

GULLY MARKET

Railway carpark, Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully

Gully Market is packed with a diverse range of stalls from produce to art and crafts on Burwood Highway every Saturday and Sunday.

Details: facebook.com/gullymarket

ROUND SHE GOES MARKET

Coburg Town Hall

Described as Australia’s premier destination for preloved designer and vintage fashion and accessories, this popular market is normally held several times a year at the Coburg Town Hall, although COVID prevented it from going ahead in 2020.

Fingers crossed it makes a comeback this year.

Details: roundshegoes.com.au

TORQUAY COWRIE MARKET

The Esplanade

Held in a beautiful location along the Torquay Foreshore, this market features a huge range of unique stallholders. Due to the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, operators recently announced the market would not be held for the 2020/2021 season.

Well worth a trip when it starts up again, and if you can’t wait, the market has started an online store.

Details: facebook.com/cowriemarket