Former Melbourne Wholesale Market

In 1841, a mere six years after the Port Phillip settlement, the Former Melbourne Wholesale Market began its life as the Western Market. It was located in the heart of the city, bounded by Market, Collins, and William Streets, and Flinders Lane. The Former Melbourne Wholesale Market initially served as a general marketplace. Over time, it transformed into a bustling wholesale hub. As Melbourne grew, so did the need for market spaces. The Eastern Market opened in 1847 at Bourke and Exhibition Streets. This market attracted market gardeners and fruit merchants. It expanded to include 224 stands, serving over 1,000 growers by the early 1860s. Eventually, both the Eastern and Western Markets merged into Queen Victoria Market. This market became the central point for Victoria’s wholesale and retail fruit and vegetable industry. By the 1960s, Queen Victoria Market could no longer handle the growing industry’s demands. Changes in transport and refrigeration required a new location. The wholesale trading operations moved to Footscray Road in West Melbourne. This area was previously a swamp. The official opening of the Former Melbourne Wholesale Market at Footscray Road was on October 30, 1969, by Victorian Premier Sir Henry Bolte. Trading commenced in December of that year. In 1996, the National Flower Centre opened within the market. Before this, flower trading was a casual affair, taking place on the fruit and vegetable market floor. The National Flower Centre provided permanent stands and coolrooms for flower growers. This allowed them to keep their flowers fresh. In 2004, plans were announced for yet another move. The Former Melbourne Wholesale Market relocated to Epping in 2015. This move marked another chapter in its long history.