To market we go (Part 2): 5 more Melbourne markets to visit

IN the second instalment of our market series, Samantha Toh shares five more amazing local markets where you can buy everything from vintage designer clothes to homemade beauty products. 

St Andrews Community Market

St Andrews Market. Photo: Christophe Mallet (top row) and Kris*M via Flickr

The St Andrews Community Market is the perfect place to indulge your senses and escape into a truly Australian bush setting. Held every Saturday and considered to be Melbourne’s most unique market, St Andrews has a very tranquil atmosphere surrounded by cooing kookaburras and eucalyptus trees. The locals are friendly too.

While the market is a while away from Melbourne situated in the foothills of the Yarra Ranges, it’s worth the scenic drive. There is a sense of true Australian culture and community in the colours, music, smells and flavours of this market. You’ll also find plenty of uniquely Australian presents for loved ones back home like homemade goats milk soap and face oils, fresh honey, locally made jewellery, winter gear and much more.

To find out more about the location and how to get there, visit the St Andrews website.

100 Squared Emerging Designer Market

Photo: 100 squared Facebook page

While not necessarily a big open-air market stocked with a ton of stuff, the 100 Squared Emerging Designer Market in Melbourne Central does showcase emerging fashion talent with plenty of cute clothes from Melbourne designers, as well as knick knacks and accessories.

A quick stroll through the area and you’ll come across heaps of potential new wardrobe items from printed day dresses and tops to funky furry sweaters and vests. While some of the jewellery looks like more expensive versions of the stuff you can buy on Etsy, the market does have trinkets and novelty items that are one of a kind and reasonably priced.

For more information about the designers and the 100 Squared Emerging Designer Market, visit their Facebook page.

Take 2 Markets

Another for the fashion loving ladies!  Melbourne’s premier recycled fashion event, the Take 2 Markets isn’t on every weekend. You’ll have to wait until July 21 to get your next fashion fix at Northcote Town Hall. The stuff sold here is mainly second-hand designer clothes and accessories at fantastic prices that are perfect for the well-heeled girl on a budget. You can anticipate all kinds of goodies from vintage Chanel flats and scarves to more eclectic pre-loved items. Stocking your wardrobe and being ethical about it? What more reason do you need to head down and check it out?

For more details, visit the Take 2 Markets website.

Melbourne Design Market

Photo: Melbourne Design Market website

The Melbourne Design Market is one of the city’s most iconic and innovative markets. Held twice a year in July and December, the event draws a massive crowd of more than 10,000 design lovers eager to check out the latest in fashion, lighting, furniture, homewares and jewellery while picking up amazing coffee and food along the way. Set in an informal, fun and relaxed market setting (a carpark!), the market is renowned for its exciting new product launches, as well as the opportunity to meet the designers behind them.

This year, the market is on 28 July. To find out more, visit their website.

Luna 1878 Night Market

Photo: qvm.com.au

With the cold miserable Melbourne winter months fast approaching, it can be easy to forget the incredible events and attractions our city has to offer. It might be cold, but that’s no reason to stay home looking all kinds of unattractive in your snuggie. Head out instead to what is fast becoming a winter ritual in Melbourne, the Luna 1878 Night Market, which is held every Wednesday night throughout the chilly month of August.

A night of exciting performances, exotic food, wine, cool designs and art pieces, Luna 1878 is not to be missed. Mingle with Melbourne’s crafty artisans, take in the soothing sounds of live music and immerse yourself in a market full of burgeoning talent and enjoyably company. And there are heaters there too and wine, did we mention the wine? So there’s no excuse not to leave your house and embrace the awesome winter evenings.

For more information,visit the Queen Victoria Market website.

Hungry for more shopping meccas? Check out part one of our Melbourne markets article series.