There’s something about an op shop that turns a shopping trip into a treasure hunt. There’s the thrill of the unexpected, odd and ancient, the total lack of rules about which aisle you go down — it can be a fun outing great for kids!
The Great Ocean Road happens to be one of Victoria’s best regional areas for vintage shopping.
From the centre of Warrnambool to the volcanic plains of Camperdown and a converted dairy factory in the middle of nowhere, here’s our guide to the Great Ocean Road vintage trail.
Why the Great Ocean Road is a Great Vintage Road Trip
This region has a lot going for it for vintage hunters.
It seems that rural communities hold onto things for longer. Heritage buildings get repurposed rather than knocked down. And there’s a long tradition of community op shops, collectable dealers and market stallholders who each bring their own taste to what they stock.
What makes the bigger markets particularly good for families is the multi-stallholder model — one entry point, one checkout, but dozens of different collectors curating their own little corner. That means enormous variety and plenty of room to wander. Kids will love fossicking through this kind of space!
Older kids and teens in particular get a kick out of hunting through records, toys, books and curiosities. Younger kids may happily tag along while you browse — just keep in mind that aisles can be tight in some stores, so leave the pram if you can.
Biggest Vintage Shops in Great Ocean Road
These are the three largest multi-stallholder markets in the broader region. We’ve been to them and can vouch for them!
Fletcher Jones Market, Warrnambool
If you’re visiting Warrnambool, Fletcher Jones Market is unmissable. Look out for the iconic 40-metre silver orb on top of the old water tower visible from the highway!
The market occupies the former Fletcher Jones clothing factory, a piece of Australian manufacturing history, and spreads across two levels and over 2,000 square metres of retail space.
With 60+ stallholders, this is one of the largest vintage and antiques markets in the region. You’ll find antique furniture, 1960s and 70s records, rare books, vintage clothing, coins, original artwork, Australian pottery, signs and everything in between.
Each stallholder has their own area and focus, so the variety is extraordinary — you never know what you’ll find on any given visit. The most valuable items are behind glass cases – have a peek for these museum-worthy items.
The heritage-listed garden out the front is worth a wander in itself. There are toilets onsite and most days there’s a coffee van in the gardens. Street parking is available on Flaxman Street and via the rear entrance on Lava Street.
Fletcher Jones Market, 61-77 Flaxman Street, Warrnambool VIC 3280. +61 3 5562 9936. Open daily 10am–5pm
Murray Street Market, Colac
Murray Street Market is a labyrinth of over 90 mini-stores under one roof.
Each stallholder curates their own collection, so you get an enormous range of styles and tastes all in the one space. One stall might be all vintage homewares, the next full of handmade crafts, the next a collector’s display of retro oddities.
Murray Street Market is broader than a pure vintage market — it’s more of a community gift store that serves locals as much as visitors. So you’ll find new products, local makers and eco goods alongside the preloved and collectable items.
They serve local cafe inside, which is handy for a coffee stop mid-browse.
Murray Street Market, 249-251 Murray Street, Colac VIC 3250. +61 452 255 017. Weekdays: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Weekends: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pombo Mart, Pomborneit North
Pombo Mart is a bit of a surprise — a large, rambling antique and collectables centre housed in a converted 1892 dairy factory on the Princes Highway between Camperdown and Colac.
It’s the kind of place that doesn’t look like much from the highway but opens up into something surprising once you’re inside.
Like the other big markets, it runs on a multi-stallholder model — each seller curates their own section, with everything from antiques and retro pieces to vintage finds, industrial items, garden wares. There seem to be a lot of industrial items and less clothing in this market.
Pombo Mart also has a small café onsite (they claim their scones are the best in the world) and there’s plenty of parking, which makes it an easy and relaxed stop on a road trip. It’s closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and open 7 days during school holidays (except winter).
Pombo Mart, 2846 Princes Highway, Pomborneit North VIC 3260. +61 479 167 962. Open Thursday–Monday.
More Vintage Shops Worth Exploring
We haven’t personally visited these stores, but they come up on the Corangamite Vintage Road Trip and may be worth adding to your itinerary. Opening hours can change, so check before you go.
Skipton
- Skipton Op-Shop, 21 Montgomery Street, Skipton VIC 3260. Open Monday–Sunday.
Derrinallum
- Derrinallum Community Shop, 28 Main Street, Derrinallum VIC 3260. Open Tuesday–Saturday.
Camperdown
A cluster of stores on and around Manifold Street — easy to knock over in a single afternoon.
- Camperdown Nursery and Mart, 261-267 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Monday–Sunday.
- DJs Cafe Pop Up Shop — Old Wares and Collectables, 131 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Thursday–Saturday.
- Element Bazaar, 242 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Friday–Saturday.
- Laffs, 163 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Monday–Saturday.
- Lifeline Camperdown, 178 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Monday–Sunday.
- Oakbrook Collectables, 253-259 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open daily except Tuesday.
- Silver Nickels, 14 Church Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Tuesday–Saturday.
- Sunnyside Op Shop, 184 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Monday–Saturday.
- Vintage Gnotuk, 173 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Monday–Sunday.
- Vinnies Camperdown, 156 Manifold Street, Camperdown VIC 3260. Open Monday–Saturday.
Noorat
- The French Collection, 1 Terang-Mortlake Road (The Beehive Store), Noorat VIC 3265. Open Thursday–Sunday.
Terang
- Terang Community Op Shop, 10 Shadforth Street, Terang VIC 3264. Open Monday–Saturday.
- The Creative Studio on High, 109 High Street, Terang VIC 3264. Contact via Facebook for hours.
Cobden
- Cobden Health Service Charity Shop, 41 Curdie Street, Cobden VIC 3266. Open Monday–Saturday.
- Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop, 50 Curdie Street, Cobden VIC 3266. Open Monday–Saturday.
- ReKindle Studios (inside Kin & Folk), 29 Curdie Street, Cobden VIC 3266. Contact via Instagram for hours.
Timboon
- TOPS Timboon Op Shop, 15-19 Curdievale Road, Timboon VIC 3268. Open Monday–Saturday.
Tips for the Vintage Road Trip with Kids
Pack a bag in the car boot. You will buy things. A sturdy tote and some newspaper for wrapping fragile finds goes a long way.
Leave the pram in the car. Aisles in op shops and multi-stallholder markets can be tight. A baby carrier or letting toddlers walk works much better.
Give kids a small budget of their own. Even $5 is enough to find something in an op shop, and it turns browsing into a fun mission for them.
Go midweek if you can. Less crowded and more time to chat with stallholders.
Combine with a Great Ocean Road stop. Colac is about an hour from Lorne and a great inland detour on the way to or from Apollo Bay. Warrnambool is the end of the Great Ocean Road — tack on a Fletcher Jones visit before or after Flagstaff Hill or Deep Blue Hot Springs.
FAQs: Great Ocean Road Vintage Trail
Is the vintage trail suitable for kids?
Yes — older kids and teens particularly love fossicking through the bigger multi-stallholder markets. Younger kids may enjoy tagging along, though aisles in some stores can be tight. Leave the pram in the car.
Do I need to book ahead to visit any of these stores?
No bookings needed — just turn up. Do check opening hours before you go, as some smaller stores have limited days and hours.
Should I bring cash?
Yes that always helps, but in our experience all stores will offer cashless payments.
Where is the best vintage market on the Great Ocean Road?
Fletcher Jones Market in Warrnambool is the largest and most impressive — two levels, 60+ stallholders, and a beautiful heritage garden. Murray Street Market in Colac is brilliant for variety and community feel. Pombo Mart is a wonderful surprise in the middle of the countryside.
Can I do the vintage trail in one day?
Pombo Mart and Camperdown’s cluster of stores on Manifold Street are close together and could easily fill a morning. Add Colac for the afternoon. Warrnambool is best as a separate day or overnight trip given the drive from Melbourne.
Are these stores open on weekends?
Most are — but check each store’s individual hours as some have reduced Saturday hours and are closed Sundays.
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