The Ultimate Guide to Auction Bazaars & Vintage Treasure Hunts in Melbourne
Melbourne isn’t just known for its coffee and laneway art — it’s also a paradise for vintage lovers, antique hunters and furniture collectors. From bustling markets and flea bazaars to curated auctions and hidden warehouses, Melbourne and its surrounds offer endless places to uncover timeless pieces and one-of-a-kind finds. Whether you’re renovating, decorating, or just love the thrill of discovery, here’s a curated guide to the best spots in the city.
🏛️ 1. Auction Houses: Where History Meets Bidding Excitement
Leonard Joel — Melbourne’s Premier Auction House
If you want a true auction experience, Leonard Joel is a must-visit. Established in 1919, this iconic Melbourne auction house regularly hosts curated auctions featuring a huge range of categories — including furniture, decorative arts, collectables, jewellery and more. Their weekly Auction Salon brings over a thousand lots under the hammer, meaning you could walk away with anything from mid-century chairs to art deco treasures. It’s a great place to discover pieces with provenance and historical value. (Leonard Joel Auctions)
Lloyds Auctions — Diverse Finds & Regular Events
For bargain hunters and eclectic collectors, Lloyds Auctions in Altona offers frequent auctions that include everything from second-hand furniture and appliances to classic cars and collectables. Many of their auctions are hybrid (online + in-person), making it easy to participate even if you can’t make it to the venue. (lloydsauctions.com.au)
Philips & Other Specialists
Melbourne also hosts specialist auction houses like Philips Auctions in Malvern, known for fine and decorative arts sales that regularly include antique furniture and classic design pieces. These seasonal auctions are great opportunities to pick up statement pieces with history. (Melbourne Services)
🛍️ 2. Bazaars, Antique Malls & Marketplaces
Chapel Street Bazaar — A Melbourne Classic
Tucked along bustling Chapel Street in Prahran, this long-running bazaar is one of Melbourne’s most beloved hotspots for second-hand furniture and vintage curios. With close to 100 different stallholders selling everything from retro décor to collectables, it’s the perfect place to lose an afternoon and find unexpected gems. (Zafigo)
Waverley Antique Bazaar — Warehouse Hunting Ground
Once one of the city’s most iconic antique malls with over 200 dealers under one roof, Waverley Antique Bazaar was a treasure trove of vintage furniture, collectables and homewares. While its exact status has shifted over time, it remains a favourite topic among locals who fondly recall the hours spent wandering its stalls. (fleamapket)
Great Collectors Heaven Fair — Hunt for Hidden Gems
This fair attracts collectors and vintage lovers with a wide variety of retro items, including furniture, memorabilia, lighting and decorative pieces. It’s a seasonal event worth tracking if you enjoy markets with a festival-like atmosphere and lots of variety to wander through. (fleamapket)
🏪 3. Markets & Vintage Warehouses
Hunted Antiques — Melbourne’s Vintage Warehouse
For lovers of mid-century and antique furniture, Hunted Antiques in Bayswater is one of Melbourne’s largest vintage warehouses. Inside, hundreds of stalls showcase furniture from every decade — from classic wooden cabinets to bold 1970s pieces — all in one massive space. It’s less of a bazaar and more of an adventure: you never know what hidden treasure you’ll stumble across. (huntedantiques.com)
Pickers Retro Haven — Eclectic Retro Market
Another cult favourite is Pickers Retro Haven, a market and shop destination offering vintage furniture alongside retro collectibles, records, tools and more. It’s a haven for anyone drawn to unique, colourful, and character-filled pieces that give a home personality. (Pickers Retro Haven)
Queen Victoria Market — More Than Fresh Produce
While primarily known as Melbourne’s legendary fresh market, Queen Victoria Market also has a flea market and bazaar vibe in various sections — especially on weekends — where you can browse vintage finds alongside artisanal goods and curios. It’s a buzzing, atmospheric spot worth visiting even if you don’t find a furniture piece every time. (Wikipedia)
🍂 4. Regional Bazaar Gems Worth the Day Trip
If you’re up for a drive, Melbourne’s surrounds have their own vintage hotspots:
- The Mill Markets (Daylesford & Castlemaine) – Enormous vintage and thrift markets full of furniture, retro pieces, and intriguing odds and ends that reward the patient browser. (Reddit)
- Kongwak Market (South Gippsland) – Held weekly, this market mixes retro, second-hand and collectable finds with fresh local produce and more. (Wikipedia)
🧳 Tips for Antique & Vintage Hunting in Melbourne
- Go early: Many markets and fairs get snapped up quickly by serious collectors.
- Bring a tape measure: That unique piece might be perfect — until you get it home and it doesn’t fit!
- Talk to stallholders: They often have deeper insights into provenance and history.
- Follow event calendars: Fair dates like The Melbourne Fair change yearly — bookmarking event guides helps you plan ahead. (aaada.org.au)
✨ Wrapping Up
Melbourne’s vintage and auction scene is a layered world where history, design and bargain-hunting collide. Whether you’re browsing a vast warehouse of antiques, heading to a curated auction house, or exploring a flea fair filled with nostalgic treasures, there’s always something waiting to tell a story. So grab a coffee, put on comfy shoes, and start exploring — your next favourite piece might just be around the corner.
