Gisborne Olde Time Market
A monthly street market of around 150 stalls in Gisborne's town centre, first Sunday except January, with a 50th anniversary bumper market on 1 November 2026.
Also known as Gisborne Market.
About this market
On the first Sunday of every month except January, the service roads along Aitken and Hamilton Streets in Gisborne fill with around 150 stalls, from 9am to 2pm. Its 50th anniversary bumper market is set for Sunday 1 November 2026.
Born from a gap in emergency services
The story starts in 1975, when a young boy was hit by a car in Gisborne and the town found it had no local ambulance to call on. The market that followed was built partly to pay for the kind of local services and facilities the town lacked.
Gisborne Olde Time Market grew out of a 1975 accident, when a boy hit by a car exposed the fact that the town had no ambulance of its own.
Since 2002 it has been run by the GREAT Association, short for Gisborne Region Events Activities and Tourism. The money goes straight back into the town: footpaths, historical plaques, an information bay, a barbecue rotunda, seating and picnic tables, as well as grants to Gisborne community groups.
Market at a glance
What's on the stalls
Handmade craft, artisan jams, fresh produce, clothing, accessories and jewellery, with hot food and coffee and live entertainment on the day. Regulars mention egg and bacon rolls on cold mornings and a woodworker whose stools and pantry boxes keep selling. The market publishes a stall layout map and visitor rules on its website.
Gisborne sits 1km west of the Calder Freeway and 54km north-west of Melbourne, so the market pairs easily with Hanging Rock, the Macedon Ranges wineries or a lunch in Kyneton. Remember January is the month off.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Gisborne Olde Time Market held?
- The first Sunday of every month except January, 9am to 2pm, along the service roads of Aitken Street and Hamilton Street in the Gisborne town centre. Its 50th anniversary bumper market is set for Sunday 1 November 2026.
- Why was the market started?
- In 1975 a young boy was hit by a car in Gisborne, and the town had no local ambulance to respond. The gap exposed a community need, and the market grew out of the effort to fund local facilities and services.
- Where does the money go?
- Back into Gisborne. Funds have paid for footpaths, historical plaques, an information bay, a barbecue rotunda, seating and picnic tables, and are also shared among Gisborne community groups. The GREAT Association (Gisborne Region Events Activities and Tourism) has run the market since 2002.
- What are Gisborne Olde Time Market opening hours?
- The first Sunday of the month, except January, 9am to 2pm. The market is at Gisborne, VIC.
- What days is Gisborne Olde Time Market open?
- Sunday, 9am to 2pm.