Melbourne's best vintage, flea and book markets for second hand delights

The weekly Camberwell Market is undoubtedly Melbourne’s biggest marketplace for pre-loved wares, with close to 400 stalls in total. From the most delicate string of vintage pearls to hardwood furniture, you and your home can get a reasonably cheap makeover from one Sunday morning's worth of rummaging. You might not think you need silver-sequinned glam rock boots, but just wait until you're trying them on, piping hot jam doughnut in the other hand.

Score vintage treasures, designer items, crafted goods and op shop finds at the Round She Goes vintage market at Coburg Town Hall. The market features more than 60 stallholders selling handpicked and vintage clothing and accessories for cheap. Stallholders are carefully handpicked by the Round She Goes team so that quality is ensured and prices are kept reasonably low. Shoppers can also expect to find preloved designer goods from the likes of Gorman, Sass and Bide, Miu Miu and more.

The famous weekly Fed Square book market shut up shop in 2017, much to the despair of Melbourne's bibliophile community. But the closure was only a temporary one, with the free market reopening at Abbotsford Convent in 2018. Whether you eat, sleep and breathe books or are just curious, the market has a vast selection of new and second-hand titles to browse. Tweed jackets are encouraged, but not compulsory. 

Each Saturday and Sunday the Rose St Artists' Market gathers some of Melbourne's most exciting artists and designers to display their wares. Weave your way through the crowds and duck into the warehouse to check out the handmade fashion, food and curios for sale. 

After a few location changes, Lost and Found have settled into Fitzroy's Brunswick Street. Vintage lovers across Melbourne lust after Lost and Found, a huge cavern of pure vintage heaven drawing in second-hand fans like moths to a flame. There's clothes of course (men and women), as well as furniture, books, lights, toys, records and bric a brac.

A sprawling carnival of musicians, doughnut vans, and eight-year-old fruit vendors belting out their best hawker cries, this is Melbourne’s closest relation to the London Borough Markets. As well as the permanent shops selling deli goods, hand-pulled candy canes, fish and fowl, temporary stands spruik organic wines, live ducklings and designer clothes of questionable authenticity.

Established in 1979 and held on the first Sunday of every month, the Hawthorn Craft Market evolved into the Hawthorn Makers Market after almost 40 years as one of Melbourne's most loved markets. This monthly market is a true all-rounder. It's renowned for the quality of its handcrafted jewellery, cards, accessories and homewares, but is also known for selling handy items for the garden, as well as homebaked treats. Head along to Hawthorn Arts Centre from 10am to 3pm to peruse more than 70 stallholders.

If you love Camberwell Market's flea market every Sunday, you'll love Footscray Finds. It shuts during the winter, but when it's open, this monthly market is absolutely bursting with vendors. It's located in the car park of Footscray Library in the heart of Footscray's shopping area and is set up similarly to Camberwell Market, with a combination of stalls and car boots. Stalls are different each month, but you can expect everything vintage clothing, locally designed and made goods and homewares, vinyl records and even locally grown fresh produce. 

What was once a garish Honda car dealership on Hoddle Street has been turned into a much-needed community precinct. From July 31 until the end of the year (at this stage), the venue will be the new home of the 'Bourne Local Collingwood Artisan Market. The market will be held every last Sunday of the month and is set to feature over 100 stalls of local artists, musicians, local produce, gourmet foodie offerings and creative makers from the community, all in a weather-proof space. Market-goers can also expect specials on offer throughout the seasons, from mulled wine in winter through to green-thumb goods in spring.