Get into the thick of things at a community market in regional Victoria, from farmers' markets to vintage markets and more. Meet the locals, growers, farmers and makers while stocking your trolley with homemade jams and baked treats. Pair a local tipple with a sausage from the community barbecue.
Browse racks of vintage clothing and collectable retro gems. Chat to local artists and craftspeople, find homemade homewares and surprise those hard-to-buy-fors with local souvenirs and gifts.
All this and loads of entertainment too: face-painting for junior shoppers, demonstrations for weekend cooks, and a live soundtrack from local performers. To market!
To find your nearest community market, check local and market websites – and keep an eye out for roadside chalkboard signs. Smaller markets generally operate once a month, larger markets more frequently.
Take an empty basket to these local favourites:
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges
Get two markets for the price of one at Healesville Community Market: arrive on the first Sunday of the month for fresh fruit and veg, browse bric-a-brac, clothing, jewellery, plants and books, and grab gifts and homemade products such as soaps and jams two weeks later on the third.
Mornington Peninsula
Join the regulars for Mornington Main Street Market every Wednesday, or get crafty at the 'grand dame' of Victoria's craft markets, Red Hill Community Market, on the first Saturday of the month.
Phillip Island
Browse crafts, clothing, homewares and sample boutique wines and homestyle fare at the Island Foreshore Market, held intermittently on Saturday afternoons along the Cowes foreshore.
Great Ocean Road
Shop for crafts, produce and plants at the indoor-outdoor Terang Market, held at All Saints Church on the first Saturday of the month.
Gippsland
Meet local artists and farmers when the Warragul Farmers' Market comes together on the third Saturday of the month, and is joined by the Warragul Arts Market in spring and summer.
Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges
Make a picnic of it twice a year with local crafts, produce and gourmet foods at Hanging Rock Market. Add live entertainment to the mix on third Saturday of the month at the Creswick Market, and scout goodies at Daylesford's Mill Markets any day of the week.
Geelong and the Bellarine
Admire local art at Geelong's Piccadilly Market, which pops up around town throughout the year. Enjoy artisan eats and fresh produce at South Geelong Farmers Market every Sunday morning, and find retro gems at Geelong Vintage Market and the Mill Markets, both open daily.
Goldfields
There are markets galore in the Goldfields. Don't miss browsing the huge array of antiques, memorabilia, books, records and collectables at Ballarat's Mill Markets, open daily.
Grampians
Take the family to Hamilton's monthly Farmers' & Craft Market on the last Saturday of the month for live music, wood-fired pizza, and fresh scones with homemade jam and cream. Also hop along to the Balmoral Easter Market in April.
High Country
Set aside plenty of time to make the most of 250 stalls, live music and gourmet food at the thriving Violet Town Market, held every second Saturday of the month.
The Murray
Browse more than 80 stalls, laze on the sprawling lawn and listen to live music at Albury's QEII Twilight Markets in February and March.
