Explore the locations, images and stories of ten of Melbourne’s markets including the current Queen Victoria Market and famous lost markets e.g the Western Market, Eastern Market, Paddy’s Market, Melbourne Corporation Market, the Fish Markets, Hanton’s Fruit and Veg, Kirk’s Horse Bazaar, Banana Alley and the Hay and Corn Markets.  Their colourful histories and roles provides unique insights into what has made Melbourne the city it is today. In fact the Melbourne City Council was formed in the first place (1842) to manage the markets!

How long: Normally 2.5 hours or a period that suits you.
Cost: $55 each up to 5 persons;  $39 each if you organise 6-10 persons; $25 each for organising more than 10 persons.  Discounts for special needs groups.
School groups: $300 (half day/one class) – $450 (whole day/2 classes) depending on how many classes and students. Seek a quote. If the cost is a problem, talk to us!
Bookings: 0408894723; 0390907964; melbwalks@gmail.co

There have been at least seven historic market sites in Melbourne with different markets sometimes occupying a single site or succeeding each other.  Queen Victoria Market is the last of the great historical markets still operating.

WESTERN MARKET
1841 General Market

1841 Hay and Corn Market

1841-1961 Western Market, first official fruit and vegetable market

KIRKS HORSE BAZAAR

Established 1840, Bourke Street West

HAY AND CORN MARKET
1842-1846 Unofficial Hay and Corn (St Paul’s site)

 EASTERN MARKET
1841 Hay and Corn Market, Bourke Street (unofficial)

1842 MCC established to manage the City’s markets

1846 General Market proclaimed.

1846 Official Hay and Corn Market transferred from St Paul’s site.

1847-1878 Paddy’s Market

1879-1960 New Eastern Market, demolished for Southern Cross 1962

1871 Eastern Arcade, after Haymarket Theatre burned

OLD FISH MARKET, 

1860-1891 ‘Old’ Fish Market,

1891 Hanton’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Market and Bicycle Stables

QUEEN VICTORIA
1857 The Lower Market

1857-1967 Livestock and Hay Market

1867 Wholesale Meat Market, relocated to Metropolitan Meat Market, North Melbourne, Courtney Street

1867 Retail Meat and Fish Market and slaughterhouse.

1877 Upper Market (G, H, I ,J built), northern edge of cemetery, A-F constructed

1878 Wholesale and Retail Fruit and Vegetable Market,

1880, Market Shops, Elizabeth Street constructed

1929 Dairy Produce Hall ( Deli Hall)

1969 Wholesale Market Footscray (relocated from Queen Victoria after Royal Commission)

1929-30 Wholesale Agents and Merchants Brick Stores (60) on car park.

INDIAN BAZAAR
Coles Book Arcade 1890s

MELBOURNE CORPORATION MARKETS,

1891-1959 The ‘New’ Fish Market

BANANA ALLEY

1891 Banana Alley Vaults constructed under the Flinders Viaduct.

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