h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In Melbourne, Australia...fairly close to the city center and easily reached by public transport - open every day of the year but mondays and wednesdays, (and xmas day, boxing day, new years day, good friday, anzac day and melbourne cup day). It's found on the corner of Queen and Victoria streets.

The largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere - covers 7 hectares - was first opened March 20, 1878. There are almost 1000 traders (many of them 2nd and 3rd genaration traders), selling everything imaginable - there's a fish/poultry/meat building (which reeks...great if you like that sort of thing, but it makes me gag every time I go near it! ), many clothes (usually a lot cheaper than anything you'd find in shops), many many tacky australian souvenirs, fruit and veg, deli goods...you name it! Apparantly 50% of the market is taken up by fresh produce.

There are also many buskers, and on Sundays it's more of a family thing - Queen St (one of the streets bordering the market) is closed to make for street cafes etc, and there's kids entertainment.

To find out more go to http://www.qvm.com.au