Dandenongs markets provide an enjoyable shopping experience with fresh local produce and artisanal goods from all around the world, as well as delectable cuisine from different corners.
Stroll through cozy village shopping strips lined with boutique stores to discover unique gifts or homemade souvenirs for loved ones back home. Ride the Puffing Billy all the way up to Emerald and make this day trip in the hills truly enjoyable!
Gembrook Market
Gembrook Market is an idyllic country market in Sydney’s South Eastern suburbs that caters for sustainable living, offering more than 90 stalls filled with locally made goods from food to crafts, plants and homegrown products.
This market provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to meet local producers and purchase fresh regional produce at its peak freshness. Stalls also feature handmade goods like candles, jewellery and clothing made by local artisans. Held every fourth Sunday (excluding December ) between 9am-2pm (no plastic bag free events!), customers are encouraged to bring their own bags as this event promotes reuse as a plastic-bag free event and may just help find that special someone special an unforgettable present!
Take a break from shopping with food stalls by stopping for hot coffee or an indulgent treat from one of the food stalls – you may even find freshly-baked bread and cakes on site! Plus there are sometimes jumping castles or farm animals on hand too.
Many activities are available nearby, including taking a leisurely walk to Ship Rock Falls – an idyllic waterfall that cascades over weathered slabs of granite – or spending your day or weekend at Kurth Kiln, an historic brick kiln now featuring an eclectic collection of art and antiques.
Train from Melbourne to Belgrave then Puffing Billy to Gembrook for an exciting day trip or stay at one of Gembrook Cottages to relax in your own bush retreat – then return by bus or Puffing Billy for more shopping and exploration of the region!
Rotary Club of Lilydale’s Craft & Produce Market features easy parking and 35 stalls featuring gifts, flowers, books, toys, children’s clothing, crafts, jewellery baby clothes candles handmade cards woollen hats socks homemade jam honey and chutney homemade goodies delicious homemade goodies such as jam honey chutney jam. You can also pick up quality local produce like Todisco Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Todisco Estate or wine from local vineyards from their cellar door!
Olinda Market
Olinda is an ideal tourist destination. The streets are lined with restaurants, cafes and antique and craft shops as well as art galleries showcasing works by local artists specializing in sculpture and painting. Additionally, Olinda boasts natural waterfalls and walking trails as well as the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden for added entertainment.
Olinda Market, situated within the old Customs House at Sigismundo Goncalves s/n is an excellent spot to pick up souvenirs or gifts. Here you will find everything from jewelry to woodcarvings at reasonable prices; bargaining is expected. Another popular shopping location for gifts is Mercado Eufrasio Barbosa on Rua Bernardo Vieira de Melo s/n which boasts religious arts, paintings and wood carvings among many other goods.
Olinda boasts several weekend markets that take place every weekend, with the Rotary Club of Lilydale Market being the most notable with over 35 stalls offering everything from fresh flowers and homemade jams and pies, perfect for birthday and Christmas presents. Additionally, there is also a small children’s play area and cafe on site as well as free admission.
Yarra Ranges is home to numerous beautiful gardens that are open for public enjoyment. One such garden, inspired by England’s arts and crafts gardens, is Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda; other must-see gardens include Tesselaar Tulip Festival featuring beautiful blooms such as tulips as well as National Rhododendron Gardens.
Yarra Ranges boasts more than just stunning gardens – there are countless activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy as well! Its vibrant music scene includes venues offering jazz to salsa performances. Additionally, spas and wellness centers in Yarra Ranges provide massage services and other treatments.
Yarra Ranges are well known for their wine. There are dozens of vineyards throughout this region, and most feature tasting rooms and tours. Those seeking something a bit more adventurous may want to check out Victoria’s first tree ropes course on Warratina Lavender Farm; its tree ropes course includes over 50 obstacles, ziplines through trees and high wire course as well as high wire obstacles and obstacles.
Emerald Craft & Produce Market
As part of an enjoyable drive from urban southeast Melbourne, heading out to the Yarra Valley can be particularly delightful on Sunday morning when it includes visiting the Emerald Craft & Produce Market. As one of the largest markets, it offers fresh fruit and vegetables not available in supermarkets as well as plants and seedlings plus food products like olive oils, jams and nuts to take home with you. There is also an artisan product vendor selling candles, soaps and handmade cards; plus a greengrocer selling an impressive array of herbs and plants from which customers can bring something special home!
Each month in Emerald township, there is a market. Stalls can be easily located near the main roundabout in the central business district and parking is readily available along streets. With its relaxed country ambience and familiar faces among its stallholders creating an intimate, welcoming space – not forgetting our goal to remain plastic bag free and offer quality goods!
Belgrave is home to the Big Dreams Market, an excellent place for original and custom designed pieces along with some of the tastiest and freshest produce available in the region. There are various stalls selling jewellery, clothing, candles, soaps and antiques as well as buskers performing and an entertaining bouncy castle for children to play on!
Healesville Racecourse Market in Yarra Valley is also worth exploring; simply make a gold coin donation at the gate to help support a local community project and enjoy shopping amid tall trees in lovely country atmosphere. There’s an array of arts & crafts stalls, plants, jewellery & baby clothes as well as Frank’s Sausage Sizzle on site for you to peruse.
Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges offer shoppers an oasis of specialty shops and markets, offering something for every taste at Olinda, Healesville, Lilydale, St Andrews and Warrandyte village shopping strips.
Kalorama Market
Melburnians flock to the stunning beauty of Dandenong Ranges for walks, sightseeing tours, picnicking trips, car touring tours and nature observation. Additionally, its forests boast an impressive diversity of flora that draws botanical enthusiasts and gardeners from across Australia.
Healesville, Olinda and Yarra Glen offer much to keep visitors busy during their stay in this scenic region of Australia. Families will find plenty of things to do here with restaurants and cafes serving delicious cuisine; heritage buildings offering stunning architectural styles; boutique shops selling fashion apparel as well as gifts; locals are friendly and inviting – quickly making visitors feel at home during their visit!
Kalorama Park stands out in this region thanks to its spectacular panoramic views of its environment. Visitors to this park will find facilities such as a reserve, playground and picnic sites as well as retail plant nursery services as well as one of our hidden gems; Karwarra Australian Plant Garden with over 1400 different native species offering an idyllic day trip experience.
Travel north on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road to visit William Ricketts Sanctuary and view an exhibition of kiln-fired clay sculptures created by artist, William Ricketts. From here continue on towards Silvan Reservoir Park where Destiny Point Cafe overlooks it all with fantastic views.
Just past the lookout is a picturesque picnic area nestled beneath eucalypt trees that is especially loved by families. Additionally, two barbecues can be utilized free of charge within the park.
There is a large car park and open shelter suitable for large groups – making this an excellent spot for family outings or meeting up with friends.
Maria Varellas is looking to leave after 33 years at Kalorama Tea House as its current operator Maria Varellas decides to step away. Constructed in 1904 and used initially as the town general store before becoming a tea room.
This report was developed using both secondary and primary data sources. These included Kalorama Information’s previous edition of the Worldwide Market for Food Safety Diagnostics as well as company annual reports, trade publications, government and veterinary literature as well as interviews with executives as well as primary research with end user labs across multiple regions worldwide.
