Taking place every weekend across the country, markets offer the perfect opportunity for farmers, producers and small scale creators to sell their wares direct to the public. Often accompanied by live music and no shortage of great food, a visit to one of these markets is the perfect way to welcome the weekend or start the new week on the right foot. Scattered around Australia, there are plenty of fantastic markets to choose from. Check out our picks of Australia’s best weekend markets below!
Eumundi Markets, Eumundi, Queensland
When?
- Wednesday – 8am to 1:30pm
- Saturday – 7am to 2pm
What can you expect?
As one of Australia’s largest arts and crafts markets, the stalls of Eumundi Markets are filled with a wide assortment of handmade items, unique pieces and fantastic gifts. From furniture and homewares through to jewellery, fashion, fresh produce and gourmet foods, there’s so much to discover throughout the market’s many stalls. At its busiest, and arguably its best, on Saturdays, it’s also a great market to discover mid-week if you have some time to spare.
Salamanca Market, Hobart, Tasmania
When?
- Saturday – 8:30am to 3pm
What can you expect?
A true Tasmanian icon, the diverse stalls of Salamanca Markets are set up along Hobart’s historic Salamanca Place each and every Saturday. Hosting around 300 stalls weekly, you’ll find a huge variety of art, handmade crafts, fresh produce and hot food on offer. A great way to start the weekend, why not grab a hot cup of coffee to go and enjoy a stroll amongst the many market stalls?
Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Victoria
When?
- Tuesday – 6am to 2pm
- Thursday – 6am to 2pm
- Friday – 6am to 5pm
- Saturday – 6am to 3pm
- Sunday – 9am to 4pm
What can you expect?
First opened in 1878, Queen Victoria Market has evolved over time to become one of the Victorian capital’s much loved institutions. Housing more than 600 retailers, you’ll find everything from hot food and fresh produce through to souvenirs, homewares and all manner of fashion accessories stocked within its stalls. The perfect way to while away a rainy day, a visit to the markets makes it easy to find gifts, everyday essentials and more in the one spot.
Sydney Flower Market, Flemington, New South Wales
When?
- Monday to Saturday – 5am to 11am (with most trading occurring before 11am)
What can you expect?
As Australia’s largest flower market, Flemington’s Sydney Flower Market is the place to head if you’re looking for fresh cut blooms. Supplying florists across the region, while also open to the public, you’ll find an incredible number of varieties and colours on sale throughout the markets. Many florists and event stylists tend to peruse the stalls shortly after opening time, so plan an early visit if you don’t want to miss out on some of the best stock.
Glebe Markets, Glebe, New South Wales
When?
- Saturday – 10am to 4pm
What can you expect?
Held within the grounds of Glebe Public School, Glebe Markets are one of Sydney’s, and the Inner West’s, best known weekend markets. Vibrant, diverse and full of character, a visit to these markets is often accompanied by live music, delicious gourmet creations and stalls filled with an assortment of preloved treasures. From vintage fashion through to cleverly crafted homewares, it’s hard to tell what will be on sale from week to week, making a visit to the markets a bit of an adventure in its own right.
Fremantle Markets, Fremantle, Western Australia
When?
- Friday – 9am to 8pm
- Saturday – 9am to 6pm
- Sunday – 9am to 6pm
What can you expect?
One of the state’s best known weekend markets, alongside stalls filled with fresh local produce, great food and a variety of artisan wares, Fremantle Markets often also features performances by a roster of talented buskers, helping to set the mood for a morning or afternoon out and about. Established in 1897, the markets have been housed within a grand Victorian building for more than a hundred years, with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston, Australian Capital Territory
When?
- Sunday – 10am to 4pm
What can you expect?
Welcoming around 10,000 visitors each weekend, Kingston’s Old Bus Depot Markets have earned themselves a reputation as one of the Canberra region’s must see attractions. Held each Sunday, the markets’ industrial warehouse setting plays host to stalls filled with collectables, hand crafted jewellery, clothing and more. Grab a bite to eat, enjoy a wander through the stalls and enjoy what is sometimes referred to as Canberra’s ‘Sunday best’.
Carriageworks Farmers Market, Eveleigh, New South Wales
When?
- Saturday – 8am to 1pm
What can you expect?
From fresh bread and seasonal blooms to fine organic produce, Eveleigh’s Carriageworks Farmers Market, another of Sydney’s popular weekend haunts, welcomes more than 70 stallholders from across the state every Saturday. Featuring live cooking demonstrations from well known chefs, the markets are a great place to head if you’re wanting to stock up on fresh produce for the week ahead or treat yourself to delectable specialty items.
Noosa Farmers Market, Noosaville, Queensland
When?
- Sunday – 6am to 12pm
What can you expect?
Featuring a fantastic assortment of stallholders, Noosa Farmers Market is a veritable one stop shop for everything from flavoursome fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread and delicious condiments through to handmade giftware and natural skincare. Accompanied by live music, activities to keep the kids entertained and plenty of good coffee, the market not only offers an incredible atmosphere, but is also a great way to spend a lazy Sunday morning.
Barossa Farmers Market, Angaston, South Australia
When?
- Saturday – 7:30am to 11:30am
What can you expect?
Focusing primarily on fresh local produce, the Barossa Farmers Market is an undercover market that takes place at the Vintners Sheds, Angaston, each and every Saturday. Providing the perfect opportunity to chat with the people who nurture and produce the delicious foods you enjoy, you’ll find everything from fruit, vegetables and a variety of meats through to smallgoods, freshly baked bread and locally produced honeys on offer.
Mindil Beach Markets, Darwin, Northern Territory
When?
- Thursday – 4pm to 9pm
- Sunday – 4pm to 9pm
- Operates from the last Thursday in April to last Thursday in October
What can you expect?
Marrying spectacular ocean views, warm tropical weather and fantastic market stalls, a visit to Darwin’s Mindil Beach Markets, operating from late April to late October, is the perfect way to spend an evening. Featuring delicious international food, more than 200 market stalls and so much more, not only can you find great souvenirs and gifts scattered throughout the market’s beachside setup, but you also have the chance enjoy to watch on as the sun slowly makes its way below the horizon.
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