Please note - as of July 2012, Mernda Market has relocated to Whittlesea
Showgrounds.
A large outdoor trash and treasure market including there is fresh
produce and general merchandise. The sheep. goats, poultry, rabbits and
other livestock attract plenty of attention as do the lively auctions. This
is a White Hat favourite - a genuine country market within reach of the city
which has been trading since 1919.
The following short article was first published under the heading
Melbourne's Hidden Gems in the
White Hat Melbourne
Newsletter No.302 on 12th March 2009
Sunday used to the day of rest in Melbourne. For much of the community it
was the Sabbath and no work was to be done and no entertainment was to be
indulged outside of Archbishop Mannix�s latest homily on the correct way to
vote at the next election.
Then that all changed and weekends became wall-to-wall entertainment and
partying and work and everyone collapsed into Monday when no work was done
and nothing was open. Theatres closed on Mondays. Restaurants are closed on
Mondays. Markets are closed on Mondays.
Except in Mernda.
Mernda is a short trip north of Melbourne. Just head up Plenty Road
Bundoora past La Trobe Uni then once you�re in the country follow the
traffic. It�s all heading to Mernda.
Now Mernda Market isn�t for everyone. If you�re after decaf latte we
recommend the Prahran Market, If you�re
after chai and mystic crystals we recommend
St Andrews. If you�re after certified
organic produce and goats milk cheese where the animals are guaranteed to
have had freedom from stress and freedom of political association then we
can recommend a number of Farmers� Markets. But if you are looking for a
fanbelt for a 1967 Massey-Ferguson or a scone tray or a pair of ferrets with
a good pedigree and the company of some down-to-earth country people and
some down-to-earth Mediterranean-Australians from the northern suburbs
who�ve been here for 30 years but still like to select their Easter goat or
lamb while its on the hoof then Mernda Market�s the place for you.
This has been a farmers� market since 1919 where farmers brought and
traded their goods. In the 1990s someone invented Farmers� Markets (with
capitals) but that is a different beast. The large outdoor trash and
treasure market is in the carpark of the hotel, and since the hotel has the
usual range of refreshments and meals don�t expect the market to feature a
large range of foodstalls � just one hamburger caravan with each
hamburger-with-the-lot (I don�t think they serve any other kind) sufficient
to feed 5 teenage girls or one 14 year old boy.
In the adjoining stock yards you will sheep. goats, poultry, rabbits and
other livestock. They attract plenty of attention as do the lively auctions.
It�s like having a day at the Royal Melbourne Show for a fraction of the
price.
Now the Mernda Market is not set up to cater for rubbernecking tourists
from the city, but I know a few of you White Hatters out there are prepared
to try something different. Give it a try.
