Market Building

The Market Building is a nationally significant, historical building that has been standing in the heart of Castlemaine since 1862.

It operated as a market for 155 years and is now home to the Visitor Information Centre, the Boorp Boorp Boondyil exhibition, a season art exhibition, and a range of community events and activities.

Boorp Boorp Boondyil 

A new permanent exhibition sharing the stories and teachings of the Djaara People is open in Castlemaine.

Boorp Boorp Boondyil (passing knowledge to our children) is a name gifted to the project by local Dja Dja Wurrung senior Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson. It is pronounced ‘Boorp’ as in ‘torpedo’ and ‘Boondyil’ as in ‘book’.

It gives residents and visitors a chance to walk through an interactive space, where they will learn the history of the area. It features the story of the Eagle, the Bat and the Crow, the Creation Story of the Dja Dja Wurrung in the Mount Alexander region, as told by the Nelson family.

It also includes important cultural lessons about living on Country. It teaches us about bush foods, medicine, waterways and weaving.

It welcomes visitors onto Djaara Country, a starting point to learning about the rich history of this land. From there people can learn about the culture of this land's traditional custodians.

Market Building Art Exhibition

Mount Alexander Shire is well-regarded as an artistic hub, with a town full of practicing artists. Each winter and summer we host the Market Building Art Exhibition to showcase just how much talent there is in the region.

Each exhibition features over 100 local artists with a fantastic range of work including paintings, sculptures, jewellery, glassware, prints, photography, textiles and more.

All artwork is for sale.

When: 9.00am-5.00pm, daily (except Christmas Day)
Where: Market Building, 44 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Cost: Free