Melbourne – Day 4 – Queen Victoria Market

One of the most important landmarks in the state of Victoria that isn’t just a place for tourists to look and gawk but is actually a working business place is the Queen Victoria Market, reportedly the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere – or so the Wikipedia bib says. I have memories of this place during my 1995 visit to Melbourne – since several persons on the team hit the Market on the last day before we flew and brought back entire boxes of apples!

Our place of stay – Pegasus Apart’Hotel – is just in front of the Market, though it’s still a short 3 minute walk to go round the block to get to it. The Market is very large and comprises several sections; some selling handmade crafts, apparel and the like – and others offering fresh produce, fruits, meats and the like. One will need to check the opening hours of the Market though as they are closed on selected days, and on a selected weekly night, transforms into a night market with a variety of eats. We checked out the Market on a Wednesday evening for dinner, and the following Thursday morning for fruits.

Just one of these hot dogs look like it could feed a couple of starving NS boys! We didn't try this one though: one look at the burnt bits on the grill made us conclude that we'd probably just die from cancer shortly LOL.
Just one of these hot dogs look like it could feed a couple of starving NS boys! We didn’t try this one though: one look at the burnt bits on the grill made us conclude that we’d probably just die from cancer shortly if we had these LOL.
Aussie - and Yank - sized pork sausage burgers!
Aussie – and Yank – sized pork sausage burgers!
This Spanish chef whipped up a variety of eats, and we had their Pollo Chicken Burger for AUD13.
This Spanish chef whipped up a variety of eats, and we had their Pollo Chicken Burger for AUD13.
Which looked like this!
Which looked like this!
The Night Market at 1745 hrs. Pretty crowded by this time.
The Night Market at 1745 hrs. Pretty crowded by this time.
If there's a queue, it's got to be good. This spot served bread soup bowls (we'd already eaten our fill though elsewhere).
If there’s a queue, it’s got to be good. This spot served bread soup bowls (we’d already eaten our fill though elsewhere).
Fruits galore!
Fruits galore!
Even more fruits!
Even more fruits!
Wax?!
Wax?!
The kids entertaining themselves while Mommy shopped and Daddy took pictures.
The kids entertaining themselves while Mommy shopped and Daddy took pictures.
Veggies!
Veggies!
Even more veggies!
Even more veggies!

The Wednesday evening crowd can get real dense and there’s limited seating (not an issue if you don’t mind walking and eating), so if you’re hitting the place for dinner, best to head there before 1730hrs.