Queen Victoria Market byHertz AU

Located within the Melbourne is the largest open air market in all of the Southern Hemisphere. The Queen Victoria Market spans 17 hectares and offers an array of fresh produce as well as clothing, jewellery, art and more. A visit to the Queen Victoria Market not only gives you the opportunity to do some shopping but also to experience a Melbourne landmark and heritage listed site. It was opened officially in March in 1878. Today it still stands strong as a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike.

The market is divided into “Precincts” and offers a range of fresh fresh and vegetables as well as meat, poultry, seafood and gourmet delicacies. You’ll also find an abundance of clothing, shoes, jewellery, arts and crafts and other items you might have trouble resisting. Don’t miss the market’s iconic doughnut van, the American Doughnut Kitchen, which is famous for its jam donuts. This donut van has been in operation since the 1950s.

Tours

If you’d like to get the most out of your trip to the Queen Victoria Markets as possible, why not take a tour?  There are a range of tours available to suit all interests.

These include:

The Foodies Dream Tour – if food is your thing, you won’t want to miss this one. The Foodies Dream Tour takes you on a culinary journey around the markets to discover the culinary delights the market has on offer.

The Shop and Cook Tour – if tasting food just isn’t enough, the Shop and Cook Tour allows you to explore the culinary offerings of the market and then attend a cooking class to whip up something mouthwatering.

Market Insider Shopping Tour – this tour explores the shopping gems of the market including the best places to find vintage clothing, handcrafted jewellery, leather goods and more.

Heritage and Culture Tour – if you’re more interested in the 130 year old history of the markets, the Heritage and Cultural Tour will uncover secrets and teach you everything you want to know about the Queen Victoria Market.

Melbourne Market and Outlet Shopping Tour – if the word ‘bargain’ gets you excited, this tour is for you. The Melbourne Market and Outlet Shopping Tour explores the best bargains of the markets and beyond to Harbour Town Shopping Centre.

Heritage Trail – if you’re keen to learn all about the market but prefer to do things at your own pace, this self-guided tour is the best of both worlds.

Night Markets

During the winter months, the Queen Victoria Market offers night markets every Wednesday.  For more information on dates and times, visit the official Luna 1878 page here. In summer, the Suzuki Night Markets run.  The markets are designed to showcase some talented Melbourne artisans and also boast a range of Hawker-style food stalls offering cuisines from all over the world. For more information, visit the official Suzuki Night Market website here.

How to Get There?

Getting to the Queen Victoria Market is super easy in the Melbourne Airport Car Rental you picked up from Hertz at Melbourne airport.  The Queen Victoria Market has plenty of parking available and so you can set down your hire car and enjoy the markets stress-free. Alternatively, if you want to leave your Hertz hire car back at your hotel, the markets are easily accessible through public transport such as a Melbourne tram, train or bus.

When to Go?

The Queen Victoria Market is open every day except Mondays and Wednesdays.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays the market is open from 6am until 2pm, Fridays and Sundays it’s open from 6am until 4pm and on Saturdays it’s open from 6am until 3pm. Sundays are a great day to go with live entertainment and children’s rides creating a relaxed, festival-like atmosphere. The market isn’t open on public holidays.