Chapter 6

Accessing Melbourne

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market (9320 5822/fax 9328 2710, www.qvm.com.au) is one of

the largest markets in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring 1000 plus stalls,

ranging from fresh fruit & vegetables, meat and fish, clothing, craft and shoes to

fabric, leather goods and knick knacks. An absolute must if you're after a bargain

but be prepared for the bump and grind on the weekend.

Market days: Tue 6am  2pm, Thu 6am  2pm, Fri 6am  6pm, Sat 6am  3pm & Sun

9am  4pm. Located north of the CBD at the top end of Elizabeth St.

The Queen Victoria Market (QVM), was officially opened in 1878, and many of its

buildings are classified as Historic Buildings, dating back to the last century. The

Meat Hall   1866, 1884, Sheds A to F   1878, two storey shops on Victoria Street  

1887 and single storey shops on Victoria Street   1884, 1890.

SHOPPING

The site covers approximately two city blocks and slopes steadily down from west

to east (towards Elizabeth St). The site is bitumen paved and quite even, so moving

around is not difficult. The original sheds facing Elizabeth St still have the slope  

the ground wasn't levelled when the buildings were constructed!

Accessible parking is provided in the commercial car park with entries off

Franklin St and Queen St (four spaces at each location). Three spaces are provided

at each of the dedicated locations on Therry St and Queen St. Accessible toilets are

provided at the Food Court (includes baby change facility, M&F), next to the Meat &

Fish market (M&F, grade into the M toilet which has an extended grab rail limiting

sideways access to the toilet), rear of the shops near Peel St and Victoria St

intersection (unisex, poorly signed with a sliding door but a small narrow cubicle   a

motorised chair would have difficulty) and an excellent unisex facility in Queen St

near the vehicle entry to the car park   there is a baby change facility and some

ATM's located here as well.

Tours run at 10am and 10.30am Tue, Thurs and Fri and take visitors through the

food markets with tastings along the way. You will learn some intriguing

information, like why the pork butchers sell only female pork or why lamb is graded

two or four tooth! Many of the stalls are specialists in their produce, particularly the

Organics who sell chemical free fruit and vegetables. You can even buy a duck,

chicken or pigeon   live of course! You can also take a breather at the foodcourt.

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