Visit Queen Victoria Market While in Melbourne, Australia

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Australia.
Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Kon Karampelas on Unsplash

If we had to pick a single attraction in Melbourne that stood the test of time and established itself as the symbol of the city, it would be Queen Victoria Market. You shouldn’t miss it for the world while exploring Australia’s second city, and here are three main reasons to pay it a visit.

Shopping Bonanza

The first reason to visit Queen Victoria Market is pretty obvious—it’s Melbourne’s main shopping hub. It’s the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere and it covers two whole city blocks, where you can find everything from fresh produce and local foods to clothing and handmade arts and crafts.

Historic Attraction

Even if Queen Victoria Market wasn’t so gigantic, you would still be impressed by its rich history. Also known as Vic Market, it’s been around since 1878 and it’s Melbourne’s only Victorian-era market that’s still operating—and welcoming approximately 10 million visitors every year!

Architectural Gem

Queen Victoria Market will knock you off your feet even if you’re not interested in shopping because it’s one of Melbourne’s biggest architectural marvels. The historic building mostly stayed intact to this day and it’s one of the best examples of 19th-century architecture in all of Australia.