Visit Melbourne’s best summer hangout with this guide to the Queen Victoria Night Markets – there’s food, drinks and entertainment.
With a huge array of food, drinks, crafts and entertainment on offer – it’s time to see what the Queen Victoria Markets have to offer. This year The Summer Night Market is celebrating 20 years in the sun with a dazzling program of summer food, drinks, shopping and live entertainment. We’ve put together our top tips to get the most out the market!
Our Guide to the Night Markets
Don’t be afraid to try something new
The Queen Victoria Market is the perfect place to try a range of new foods you haven’t eaten before. With a massive selection of foods from a vast range of countries, there’s no doubt you have the luxury of choice.
Souvlakis, paella, arancini balls and tacos are just some of the foods you can try at the at the market. Dabble in something you haven’t tried before. Be bold, be adventurous!
Be prepared to wait in line
There is no doubt that all the food at the night market is delicious. So much that you might have to wait in line for 10 – 15 minutes to get the food you’ve been thinking about all day. The market runs from 5 – 10pm each Wednesday. So if you aren’t a fan of being in big crowds, head to the market when they open and beat the rush.
Enjoy everything while you are there, not just the food
Although the Queen Victoria Night Market is famous for the food, there is plenty of other fun activities to enjoy! Enjoy special themed nights, new and exciting vendors, special bar offers, free live entertainment and all the summer atmosphere you know and love at Melbourne’s biggest Wednesday night party!
With over 200 traders, you’ll find something new to explore every week. There’s also live music on the stage all night, so make sure you go and sit down with your dinner and enjoy the talent Melbournian musicians have to offer! Check out their week by week guide and stay posted for the new acts that are added throughout the season.
Don’t forget to check out the craft stores
Even though you are probably heading to the market to fill your belly with scrumptious food, don’t forget to check out the local craft makers of Melbourne. With stores that provide small plants and home-wares to hand made wooden furniture, there will be something there for everyone. Alongside the homemade crafts, there are stalls filled with incredible local art that is worth going to have a look at before you head home with a big smile and a full belly.
Other Melbourne attractions to visit this summer
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, also known as the MCG, is world-renowned to lover’s of cricket. It first opened in 1953 for the Melbourne Olympics and has been renovated several times since. The 100,000 capacity stadium is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and over summer the stadium is the arena for many cricket matches. The MCG is the place to go to see the passion of Melburnians – cheering on their cricketing team.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Step off the city streets and into a green paradise, in Melbourne’s Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens border the Yarra River and have more than 50,000 plants and 8,500 different species.
It’s the perfect place to spend a summer’s day. Take a tour of the gardens on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk where you can get a glimpse into Australia’s Indigenous people’s use of local plants for food, tools and medicine.
Melbourne’s Laneways
Exploring Melbourne’s laneways is a great summer activity. Venture away from the main streets to discover some of the best cafes, bars, and boutique shops. Many of them are Melbourne institutions that have stood the test of time. You can also discover some of the best street art in laneways such as AC/DC Lane, Meyers Place, Blender Lane and Union Lane. Check out our guide to Melbourne’s laneways, or just head out and discover them for yourself.
Food and coffee
Melbourne is a city of coffee-lovers and foodies. The multicultural mix of the city provides endless opportunities to try cuisines from around the world. Many with their own Melbourne twist. Grab some sushi rolls and have a picnic in the Botanical Gardens. Dine alfresco in one of Melbourne’s laneways. Head to a riverside bar for an afternoon beverage in the sun.
Take a tour
No visit to Australia’s most vibrant city is complete without taking at least one day trip to these spectacular locations. Here’s our pick of the best summer tours:
Great Ocean Road Sunset Tour
Experience one of Australia’s most iconic locations – the spectacular Twelve Apostles – at the perfect time of day. A sunset visit to this incredible coastline will be a highlight of your visit to Australia. Depart Melbourne later than most tours to avoid the crowds along the Great Ocean Road and be ready for an incredible show to end the tour!
Phillip Island
This ultimate Melbourne wildlife tour includes handfeeding kangaroos and visiting the world-famous Penguin Parade. Our Phillip Island Day Tour from Melbourne is the best way to meet Australian animals up close. Imagine yourself hand-feeding a kangaroo, cuddling up to a koala, and watching as thousands of Little Penguins waddle right past your feet. This tour visits the Brighton Bathing Boxes, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and the Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade.
Grampians National Park
The Grampians National Park day tour is a chance to connect to nature and discover waterfalls, wilderness and wildlife that is part iconically Australian. Explore the National Park with your guide to learn about the Aboriginal history of the area and spot wildlife such as kangaroos, emus and cockatoos. Take spectacular photos at the scenic lookouts that boast panoramic views over the mountains and valleys below.
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
