Top Things To See And Do In North Melbourne

A historic precinct dating back to the 1840s, North Melbourne is distinguished by Victorian architecture, cafes, boutiques and a thriving arts scene. Of course, it’s also home to the North Melbourne Football Club, known colloquially as the Kangaroos. From the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere to a popular cafe, here are the top things to see and do in North Melbourne.

Queen Victoria Market

Market, Shop

Queen Victoria Night Market for summer with skyscrapers at background in Melbourne, Australia

The heritage-listed Queen Victoria Marketopened in 1878 and has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for 139 years. The market continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. Covering 17 acres, the landmark is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere and includes several historic sheds and market halls, offering everything from fresh produce to gourmet delights, souvenirs and jam donuts. QVM also hosts the iconic Wednesday Night Market, featuring international cuisine, handmade arts and crafts, as well as live entertainment.

Victorian Archives Centre

Housing an extensive collection of records dating back to the creation of the Port Phillip District in the mid-1830s, the Public Record Office Victoria is located within the purpose-built Victorian Archives Centre. PROV’s collection has information developed by government departments, including judicial records, early Victorian passenger records, Aboriginal Victorian records and transport and property records. VAC also hosts regular exhibitions with displays of original public records and artifacts, as well as tours and talks.

Heartland Records

Shop, Store

Owned and operated by Paul Cook, Heartland Recordswas established in 1992 and continues to pride itself on friendly customer service and musical expertise. Located on Victoria Street, the store has over 10,000 items in stock, spanning newly released and vintage Vinyl records, along with CDs, back-catalogue titles and secondhand items. Heartland Records is also renowned for their extensive range of genres, with their most popular categories being alternative, metal and 60s and 70s music.

Auction Rooms

Cafe, Australian, Contemporary

Twice named Melbourne’s best cafe by The Age Good Cafe Guide, Auction Rooms was opened in 2008 by Andrew Kelly of Small Batch Roasting Co., who sought to create a place where Melbournians could find innovative meals and delicious coffee. Now a part of the St Ali empire, Auction Rooms offers a fine-tuned menu, featuring all-day breakfast and lunch items, as well as showcasing Mexican, Middle Eastern and American flavours.

Arts House

Arts House, Melbourne’s contemporary centre for performance and interactive art forms supports innovative, creative projects with an emphasis on the ‘changing nature of our cities’. Taking a holistic approach, this artistic program challenges the norm by encouraging creative, interdisciplinary practices, as well as collaboration between artists, communities and audiences. Upcoming events include the World Premiere of WE ARE LIGHTNING!, as well as Up, Art & Away!: Art Superheroism with TextaQueen.