Discover a treasure trove of fashion and accessories in Camberwell

Camberwell is a great place to find fashion and accessories, with everything from pre-loved designer pieces to the latest high street offering.

The area not only enjoys an abundance of second-hand apparel on offer at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market, but also has a thriving shopping precinct lined with boutiques and popular clothing brands.

Week in, week out, the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market serves up a dizzying array of pre-owned and vintage attire out in the open air.

Shoppers also have their choice from more than 40 fashion and accessory stores throughout the surrounding Camberwell shopping precinct.

So, if you’re looking for a special piece, need to update your wardrobe or just want to see what’s trending, Camberwell has got you covered.

Here are some suggestions when shopping for fashion and accessories in the area:

Search the stalls at Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market

The Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market has been a staple of the area since 1976, with fashion and accessories remaining a significant attraction over the years.

The market is ever-changing and has hosted many one-time sellers looking to empty their designer wardrobes at affordable prices to make room for newer fashions.

There are many accessory stalls throughout the market, offering timeless jewellery and niche pieces rarely found in-store.

Local fashion brands like Kinn & Co regularly return to the market with their gorgeous range of earrings and accessories too.

There are vintage garments for both women and men as far as the eye can see, including pre-loved clothes and modern takes on classic styles.

Most importantly, the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market is a treasure trove for bargain hunters who relish finding and walking away with a steal.

Explore the Camberwell shopping precinct

The Camberwell shopping precinct boasts an impressive selection of fashion and accessories stores, with something to suit all tastes.

If you are looking for something exclusive, there are numerous boutiques in the area offering one-of-a-kind garments and accessories.

There is Bellite and its luxurious range of designer clothing and accessories, while Dickory Dock, which has been based in Camberwell for more than 70 years, specialises in high-end bras, corsetry and other garments.

The Camberwell shopping precinct also has a range of popular high street brands including Country Road, Witchery, Trenery and many more.

So, whether you’re in the market for a vintage piece or this season’s new look, Camberwell has it all for your fashion and accessory needs.

For more information, you can visit the Camberwell shopping precinct directory and the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.

This article also appears on the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.

For more than 40 years, shoppers in search of antiques and second-hand treasures have flocked to the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market.

Having started in 1976, the weekly market has become a city-wide institution, as one of Melbourne’s biggest markets for pre-loved wares.

The very first market featured only 48 stalls, attracted 1700 people and made a humble $531.

Nowadays, there are more than 380 stalls at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market, which has a vast offering including bric-a-brac, collectibles, vintage fashion, books, records and even hardware items.

The outdoor marketplace remains a destination for locals and tourists alike, with some 250,000 people descending on the suburban carpark every year.

Historic market characters

Much of the history of the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market is tied up in its colourful stall holders.

There is collector Ray Nicholls, who has shared his passion for newspapers and magazines from his stall for about three decades.

And having entertained crowds for more than 20 years, Saxophonist Neil Whitford has been commemorated with a memorial plaque on the walkway at the marketplace.

The history of fundraising

Since the market began, the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market has operated under the guidance of Balwyn Rotary who have been fundraising by accepting donations in their iconic yellow cups.

Visitors are asked to make a gold coin donation to enter the markets, with funds going to the Balwyn Rotary club, which supports numerous important charitable causes.

Tireless volunteers have raised more than $16 million since the market first opened to support local and overseas communities.

Their fundraising efforts have aided numerous causes including Eastern Emergency Relief, Box Hill Hospital, Violence Free Families and New Zealand Earthquake Rebuilding.

Camberwell’s history

While Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market has a fascinating past, the wider Camberwell shopping precinct has its own rich history as one of the oldest shopping strips in Melbourne.

The suburb drew its name from The Camberwell Inn, an inn built in the area in 1853.

The story goes that the area reminded the establishment’s owner of London’s Camberwell Green area.

Business activity along Burke Rd rose after the railway line was extended to the area in 1882, prompting residential development and further commerce in the shopping precinct.

Today, there are some long-standing gems located throughout the precinct.

For example, the Rivoli Cinema first opened in 1921 at 570 Burke Rd. In 1940, it relocated to its current location at 200 Camberwell Rd, and in 1968 it was the first cinema in Australia to be converted to a twin auditorium. In the year 2000, following a $16 million refurbishment, the Rivoli reopened as an eight-screen multiplex. The cinema is renowned for its Art Deco design, grand staircase and unique circular patterned carpet.

Another local icon is the Camberwell Fresh Food Market, which has been operating for more than 85 years. The market was established in the 1930s where the site was originally a horse carriage factory that later become a produce market, servicing the market growers of the area. Many stall holders today are second and third generation family-run businesses and still trade in the traditional style.

Planning to visit?

If you’re planning immerse yourself in a little history at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The market opens from 6.30am until 12.30pm every Sunday except for Sundays that fall within 10 days before Christmas.

The marketplace is located in the carpark on Station St, tucked behind the Burke Rd shopping precinct.

If you want to set up a stall, then check out this guide on how to book a spot.

For more information, visit the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.

This article also appears on the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.

Remember that time you experienced the perfect Sunday? A day spent relaxing with friends and family; spending time outdoors; taking your time doing the things that made you happy?

You can recreate the perfect Sunday every Sunday in Camberwell shopping precinct.

From discovering treasures at the market to enjoying a meal and spot of shopping, we’ve got your perfect Sunday planned out.

Here’s how you can enjoy a Sunday in Camberwell:

Begin with a visit to the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market

Start your Sunday morning the way locals have for generations – with a stroll in the morning sunshine, soaking up the sights and sounds of the iconic Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market.

Search through racks of gorgeous vintage fashion, handcrafted homewares, arts and crafts, and treasures that have been locked away in attics.

The Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market is the perfect place to pick up a unique gift or something special for your home.

Just don’t be surprised if you also walk away with an unexpected find, like a relic from your childhood that sparks happy memories.

Head out for brunch

Now that you’re full of post-market excitement and inspiration, it’s time to hit one of Camberwell’s many renowned cafes and restaurants for a relaxing long brunch with family and friends.

Warm up with freshly baked pastries at Laurent Patisserie, treat yourself to a cake that is more like a miniature work of art at Angelucci, or discover why healthy also means tasty at Soul Sisters Cafe.

Coffee aficionados can find the best drop in Camberwell shopping precinct – not an easy task when Camberwell is packed with coffee specialists but we’re sure you’re up to the challenge!

Do a spot of shopping

You’re sufficiently fuelled-up with caffeine, so it’s time to hit the shops.

Whether you have a specific purchase in mind, or just want to jump on the latest fashion trends, Camberwell has all the inspiration you need at every price point.

Camberwell shopping precinct is home to high-end and high street brands, fashion boutiques, specialty gift stores, electronic and tech hubs, florists, sporting goods, homewares and much more.

Make your afternoon productive

It might be Sunday, but you probably have tasks that still need to be ticked off, like going to the gym, getting your hair cut or doing the grocery shopping.

Fun fact: chores become that much more enjoyable when they are done in the vibrant atmosphere of Camberwell.

Dine out for dinner

The next big question: where to for dinner?

Allow enough time to ponder this, because Camberwell shopping precinct has so many great restaurant choices, from traditional pizzas, to exotic cuisines, to healthy options and grazing plates.

Catch a movie at the Rivoli Cinemas

The enjoyment of a much-anticipated flick can only be improved upon by being surrounded by the glamour and history of the Rivoli Cinemas.

The art deco cinema is a significant cultural and historical icon in Camberwell and has inspired both lovers of film and architecture for generations.

There is a selection of great wine bars close to the cinema, perfect for that post-movie debrief. Nineteenforty is a rooftop bar located at the Rivoli itself, while Young’s Wine Rooms and Cafe Paradiso, just a short walk across the road, offer a great atmosphere to enjoy a drink or two.

This article also appears on the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.

Are you looking to sell pre-loved or handcrafted goods at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market? Here’s what you need to know.

Perhaps you are downsizing, maybe you have estate furniture you need gone, or your kids have long grown up and you’ve found yourself with a garage full of stuff you no longer need.

There’s a story behind every stall at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market, but no matter what they are selling, every vendor has two things is common: they have items they want gone and a desire to make a bit of cash.

The Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market is an iconic Melbourne experience, celebrated in art and literature, and a Camberwell weekend ritual for generations.

The generosity of market goers, via their gold coin donations on entry, has seen the market raise more than $16 million for different charities and causes to date.

And you can be a part of this story as a market vendor.

You don’t need to be a professional trader – if you’ve got stuff to sell, you too can be a Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market stallholder.

Here’s how:

How do I book a stall?

The first step is to book a stall at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market by downloading the app or via the website.

Stalls cost $66 and are paid for online via credit card when you book.

Are tables and equipment available for hire?

The Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market offers a range of items to help you set up and run your stall. They can be hired on the morning of your booking and a $20 security bond is required.

The market hires out the following:

• Trestle table (1.8m): $9
• Trestle table (2.4m): $10
• Clothes rack and two sandbags: $15
• Sandbags: $3 each

How far in advance must I book?

The earlier you book the better the chance of securing the date you want. Stalls normally sell out 10 weeks in advance.

What can I sell?

Make sure the items you’re selling are allowed. Stallholders are permitted to sell a range of second-hand goods or handcrafted items.

Customers love hearing the stories behind the items they purchase, so if those items are made by you, all the better!

You are not permitted to sell food, drinks or make-up products. New items for resale, and samples or seconds are also not allowed. The sale of animals or animal products is also prohibited.

What if I miss out on the Sunday I want?

If the Sunday morning you really want is fully booked, you can take a chance at securing a re-let stall.

Be at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market from 5.30am, when management arrives, and at 7am bookings that haven’t shown up will be re-let to people in the order of when they arrived.

There are often 15-20 stalls per week to re-let, but there are also many people waiting to snap them up and there’s no guarantee you will secure one. It’s best to plan ahead and book early.

You can view further information about booking a stall at the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market here.

This article also appears on the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.

Whether you’re searching for a pre-loved or hand-crafted gem, the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market is synonymous for uncovering unique items but many of its devotees may not know how far their donations go to help communities.

The sound of gold coins as they rattle in the Rotary volunteer’s tins sets the scene for the Melbourne tradition of looking for treasure in the converted carpark on Sundays.

The generosity of market fans continues to make a difference to thousands of families and people both locally and internationally.

Small donation, large impact

A gold coin donation when you enter the market is a small ask, but when you consider that each year the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market hosts more than 250,000 locals, tourists, thrift shoppers, collectors and bargain hunters, it adds up.

Since 1976, the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market has raised more than $16 million for many different causes.

Charitable reach

The local community benefits from the generosity of patrons, through the Boroondara Community Strengthening Grants program, which supports 80 – 90 local community service projects annually.

Other causes that receive support include the Box Hill Miniature Railway, Camcare, Fareshare, Autism Centre, Cerebral Palsy Education Project, community housing and Violence Free Families.

Your gold coin donation has a far greater reach with Rotary International projects, including those that support Timor Leste, New Zealand Earthquake rebuilding, Nepal earthquake relief, a dental health project in Vietnam, artificial limbs for kids in the Congo, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Helping those in need

Children and young people are often the focus of the gold coin donations, like the youth development grants of the Rotary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tertiary Scholarships and Swinburne University of Technology scholarships for asylum seekers and refugees.

Secondary school public speaking competitions and national youth science forums also receive funding.

The program has provided medical research and equipment grants to help organisations such as Australian Rotary Health, Box Hill Hospital and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

A local’s gold coin

In her book, Sunday Service: The Balwyn Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market, author Leah Annetta writes about the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market’s irresistible lure.

It’s a place full of hidden treasures, whose value might be sentimental or actual, and where it is rumoured Kylie Minogue picked up her infamous gold hot pants.

But it’s another kind of gold that Annetta holds dear to her heart.

“Most of us drop our gold coin into the yellow cup… and plough headlong into the market on the trail of whatever takes our fancy.

“Few realise the ambitious charitable causes that these coins have funded over the past three decades”.

This article also appears on the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market website.