Ozz Possum at Queen Victoria Market: A Morning of Colour and Flavour

With a little picnic basket swinging from one paw, Ozz Possum set off for the most famous market in the city. On the edge of the CBD, Queen Victoria Market has been feeding and delighting Melbourne for more than a century — and there is no better place for a curious possum to spend a morning.

A Melbourne Icon Since 1878

Queen Victoria Market — known fondly to locals as the Vic Market or Queen Vic — is one of the largest open-air markets in the Southern Hemisphere. Under its long red-and-white sheds, traders call out the day’s specials while shoppers weave between stalls of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Ozz Possum breathed in the mingled scents of strawberries, basil and fresh bread and felt instantly at home. More than a place to shop, the market is a living piece of Melbourne history and a daily gathering point for the whole community.

The Deli Hall and String-Bag Treasures

Inside the heritage Deli Hall, wheels of cheese, cured meats, olives and pastries line the counters. Ozz Possum filled its basket with a loaf, a wedge of cheese and a punnet of berries — the makings of a perfect picnic to carry down to the river in the city or out to St Kilda beach. The specialty traders here have been perfecting their craft for generations.

Coffee, Craft and Community

Beyond the food, the market hums with life: coffee roasters, handmade crafts, clothing and the famous Night Market in the warmer months, when the sheds fill with street food, music and market stalls under the stars. It is a place where Melbourne’s many cultures meet over good food — exactly the kind of warm, local spirit that Ozz Possum, a proudly Melbourne-born character, loves to celebrate.

Getting There

Queen Victoria Market sits at the top of the CBD on the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria Streets. The Elizabeth Street trams run right to the door, and it’s a pleasant walk from Melbourne Central or Flagstaff stations. The market is open most mornings through to early afternoon (closed some weekdays), so it’s worth checking the day’s hours before you visit and arriving early for the freshest pick of the produce.

For Melbourne Businesses and Venues

The market’s traders are the heart of local Melbourne — and Ozz Possum loves shining a light on independent stalls and shops. If you’re a trader, maker or nearby business, the possum would happily visit for a playful photo or video that helps share your story with the community. Get in touch through our contact page to team up.

Ozz Possum’s Queen Victoria Market Checklist

• 🍓 A basket of fresh fruit from the produce sheds
• 🧀 A wander through the historic Deli Hall
• ☕ A morning coffee among the market crowds
• 🧺 A picnic packed and ready for the park

Best Time to Visit the Market

For the freshest produce and the liveliest atmosphere, arrive in the morning when the sheds are full and the traders are calling out their best deals. In the warmer months, the Wednesday Night Market transforms the space into a festival of food, music and craft after dark. Whichever you choose, bring a sturdy bag and a little curiosity — half the joy of Queen Victoria Market is discovering something new, exactly the way Ozz Possum does.

Queen Victoria Market is Melbourne at its most colourful and community-minded — and Ozz Possum left with a full basket and a full heart. Follow the rest of the possum’s city adventures at Federation Square and St Kilda, and discover the story of Ozz Possum.