THE BEST MARKETS IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE WEEKEND

North Sydney, NSW

Visiting the Northside Produce Market is one of my favourite things to do. Boasting more than 70 stalls providing fresh produce, much-loved artisan foods and freshly cooked snacks, the whole family finds something they like here.

Open from 8am to midday, this is a dog-friendly market. Our dogs love their morning out, with many pats on the head and dog water bowls provided at the information stall.

Supporting Australian small businesses is easy to do here. 

Vendors come from Orange, the Riverina, Central Tablelands, Southern Highlands, Brother Mountains, Crescent Head and the outskirts of Sydney and the inner city. 

My hot tip is to find the vendor with the smoked trout paté. It is incredible and definitely a rare treat.

When: First & third Saturday of the month 8am-12pm

Where: Ted Mack Civic Park, Miller St, North Sydney.

Lilyfield, NSW

We are not the only family that loves visiting the Orange Grove Markets. Locals prefer you not to know about it, so I regard this as a community service announcement.

With one of the best bacon and egg rolls available, it will not surprise you to see the queue stretching twenty deep for most of the day. The assortment of fresh food and dining available is huge.

 Our family usually has someone queuing for gozleme, fresh juices, awesome corn fritters and incredible bread at the many stalls. Super fresh strawberries, often picked the night before are in one stall and the flowers are never-ending.

Dogs cannot enter school grounds so don't bring along your pooch. There are always many sad-looking doggies along the fence on the outside, waiting for their owners to come back.

You might pick up some real bargains if you are there between 12-1pm. My highlights are the scarf lady, the babka man, fresh doughnuts and pho. Yum, see you there this Saturday!

When: Saturday 9am-1pm

Where: Orange Grove Primary School

South Melbourne, VIC

Since 1867, South Melbourne Markets have been famous and an institution in Melbourne. This foodies paradise has nearly 150 stalls to choose from. Your baskets will filling fast and your taste buds tingle from the moment you walk in.

Funny story, I know one Aussie, once living in Hong Kong, that swung past, on the way to the airport, and picked up three dozen unopened Coffin Bay oysters. Safely packed away, unopened, in a styrofoam box with ice, they arrived in Hong Kong in perfect condition. It was then that the oyster shuck that had been in my drawer for 10 years actually saved the day. True story, promise!

What you won’t find at the markets. We love that the market banned caged eggs, inauthentic Indigenous art or unethical animal fur from all its stalls, cafes and restaurant. What a great decision.

When: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 8am-4pm, Friday 8am-5pm

Where: Coventry St & Cecil St, South Melbourne

Fitzroy, VIC

Rose Street Market is where Melbournes best artists, design creatives, crafters and makers. They have been able to showcase their work here for the last fifteen years. 

With up to 120 talented artists you will find plenty of unique pieces. If you are a fan of handmade goodies, you will be delighted. You will find everything from furniture, fashion, to die for jewellery and art, that is perfect, for that empty spot on your wall.

This was a real treat to find out about and is on our bucket list for our next Melbourne trip.

When: Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm,

Where: Rose Street, Fitzroy

Fremantle, WA

The Fremantle Markets are one of the oldest markets in Australia. Established in 1897, this was the favourite by our members in WA. 

With over 150 stalls, it is as popular with locals of “Freo” as it is with day-trippers and tourists. You will find everything  you could want there. From homewares, fashion, jewellery, art, yummy food to fresh produce.

When: Friday to Sunday 8am-6pm,

Where: South Terrace & Henderson Street, Fremantle

Mount Claremont, WA

Our long-term member and moderator, Rachel, loves the Mount Claremont Farmers Market.  Sought out by locals and visitors, the sustainable produce and delicious locally-made products must be the drawcard. Our Rachel is quite the talented cook and foodie, so we trust her judgement.

This market also caters well for special dietary requirements like vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo. 

Other stalls feature handmade arts, crafts, jewellery, body products even meals and treats for your dog. Breakfast is very popular on the deck with lots of choices. Winners are the real fruit ice blocks and coconut ice creams for the kids.

When: Saturday 7.30am-11.30am

Where: Alfred Road, Mount Claremont

Eumundi, QLD

People come from far and wide to this unique and vibrant market. Great atmosphere and a really diverse range of products. My niece, Julia, was especially impressed with a jewellery stand called Mint Kiss. She spent her pocket money on a few unique and beautiful pieces.

I was lucky enough to visit the Eumundi Markets last year and they were everything I hoped for. We found one small stall selling original handprinted ceramics from Istanbul. The vendor found the rents in his shop in Noosa were too high and he loved the market vibe more.

Pet friendly with dogs on leash welcomed. Parking is available and is paid for. It’s worth it though, you will be all shopped out by the time you head back to the car! This is a must to visit.

When: Saturday 7am-2pm, Wednesday 8am-2pm

Where: Memorial Drive, Eumundi

Powerhouse, New Farm, QLD

Manly, QLD | Mitchelton, QLD

This is the biggest farmers market in Brisbane. The Jan Power Farmers Market is so big that is in three locations. Jan Powers founded this  in the 1990’s. She was a well known foodie and commentator. This was also Brisbane’s first farmers market as a way to connect consumers with the farmers and producers. 

Funnily enough, Jan was also an Aussie who trained in London as a cook while living in London. Proof that all the Aussie Expats who come home, return brimming with ideas from their experiences abroad.

All three locations are family friendly and dog friendly.

When: Saturday 6am-12pm

Where: Powerhouse, Lamington St, Newfarm

When: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month, 6am-12pm

Where: Manly Harbour Royal Esplanade, Manly.

When: 1st Sunday of the Month, 6am  - 12 noon

Where: Blackwood St, Mitchelton

Salamanca, TAS

Tasmania’s most popular tourist attraction is Salamanca Market. It also happens to be the largest outdoor market in Australia. Over 300 stallholders, line the streets by Hobart waterfront. Filled with artisanal, locally produced products in both homewares, artwork, leather goods, timber treasures, wines and spirits and the list is large.

But the cheese! 

The lovely Megan, another long-term member of Aussie Expats Coming Home, bought me back some unbelievably good cheese. I was ready to book a flight down the following week.

People who have been, tell me this is an absolute must. It’s top of my list to visit too.

When: Saturday 8.30am-3pm,

Where: Salamanca Place, Hobart Waterfront

Adelaide, South Australia

The Adelaide Central Market is one of the oldest markets in the world. Voted the favourite, by our members in SA, it is still one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere.

With over 70 stalls, this is South Australia's most popular tourist attraction. The market is still a traditional fresh food and produce market including meat, poultry, seafood, cheeses, small goods and some divine bakeries.

When: Tuesday-Saturday, times vary

Where: Gouger Street, Adelaide

Wayville, South Australia

This market has been described to me as a true foodies market. Adelaide Farmers’ Market only sells edible foods, so if you are not a fan of arts and crafts, then this is the spot for you. 

Producers from the South Australian regions sell direct to consumers, something much needed by our farmers these days. This puts the freshest possible produce at your fingertips and great choice with 100 stalls every week.

A few stalls sell heirloom varieties of plants for the garden, often hard to find. It is a community building market with gardening tips, and a kid’s club teaching fun things to grow, learn and cook each week. 

When: Sunday 8.30am-12.30pm

Where: Adelaide Showground, Wayville

Woden, ACT

A hugely popular market, voted as our members favourite in Canberra. Grab some super fresh produce at Southside Farmers Market. Here you can meet the growers and producers. Someone told me they always take home dinner with yummy pies and pastries. No market is complete without cheeses, and I've been told that there is a good range of choice.

When: Sunday 7am - 11.30am

Where: Canberra College, Woden