Melbourne, Australia: Queen Victoria Market

Many big-city markets have either died or been greatly adapted over the years due to changing times and economic conditions. However, the Queen Victoria Market continues to be an interesting spot for the locals and tourists to mingle. 

Food is the number one business here. There are restaurants here, and visitors can grab all sorts of products and enjoy a meal in the area. Residents can do some of their weekly shopping here as well. Elsewhere, the place turns into something of a flea market. It's a fine place to pick up souvenirs and other items - at good prices, no less  It's the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The origins date back to the 1840s. The Market formally opened in 1878, and started with fish and vegetables but quickly moved into meat and fish. There was talk in the 1960s of closing up the facility and replacing it with a parking area. That proved less than popular. About ten years later some wanted to turn it into a spot for economic development, and the public outcry against that idea was quick and loud. Now it's on the Historic Buildings Register. 

It's an unlikely area in the sense that it is from the past and located in the midst of modern structures. The photo gets that idea across. The Market is a fun stop for visitors; just don't go on Mondays and Wednesdays when it is closed. 

We can look around.