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The best markets in Canberra for special finds

Melissa Mason Melissa Mason
Whether you’ve come to Canberra for the city’s incredible restaurant scene or to visit some of Australia’s best museums, no stay is complete without a trip to the markets

Take your pick – there are 12 excellent markets that happen around Canberra, with most popping up each week and some reserved for the season. These are where you’ll find incredible local produce, handmade gifts, vintage fashion and everything else you’d need for a successful shopping haul when visiting our nation’s capital.

In short

If you’re in Canberra during the warmer months, you can’t miss The Little Burley Market. Year-round, the Old Bus Depot Markets have the best range and are always a great place to visit on a Sunday.

Farmers Markets

Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets

bread on display at Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets
Pick up artisanal bread from Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets. (Image: VisitCanberra)

When: Thursday – Sunday, 7am – 5:30pm
Address: 36 Mildura St, Fyshwick

The quirky suburb of Fyshwick may not have many residents – only 52 people live there – but the communal vibes are strong at Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets. From Thursday through Sunday, each week here is packed with rows of fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables, deli items, seafood and artisanal bread. Locals swear by the institution, which has been around for 50 years, and visitors always find an essential piece of Canberra to take home with them. You’ll also find some specialty stalls selling wine so it’s a great place to restock the collection.

Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets is also home to Niche Markets, which is an extension and runs at the same time with a bigger focus on local craftspeople selling everything from fresh flowers to homewares. Browse Canberra’s finest makers to a soundtrack of live music – it’s become a favourite pastime for locals.

Saturday Markets

The Little Burley Market

The Little Burley Market stalls from above
The Little Burley Market is a local favourite where artisan stallholders set up by the lake. (Image: VisitCanberra)

When: Saturday, 9am – 1:30pm (closed in winter months)
Address: Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600

No other weekly market in Canberra has a stronger sense of identity than The Little Burley Market.

A favourite for locals and visitors, this Saturday market is set on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin with some of Canberra’s finest showing up each week.

Browse through a selection of gourmet foods, artisan wares and seasonally-themed goods from notable stallholders like Deep Blue Ceramics and Dedas Smokehouse. It’s a great way to start the day.

Capital Region Farmers Market

a stall owner at Capital Region Farmers Market
Find delectable treats from more than 125 stallholders. (Image: VisitCanberra)

When: Saturday, 7am – 11:30am
Address: Exhibition Park, Old Well Station Rd, Mitchell

In 2004, the Capital Region Farmers Market began as a way for farmers and local producers to offer fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and other products directly to the customer. It’s grown immensely since then, becoming Canberra’s biggest farmers’ market and one of the most valuable in Australia. Pick up a fresh loaf from Bush Bread of Australia, plate up some fresh tagliatelle from Norma Maria’s Pasta or hit up Banjo’s Oysters for some freshly shucked treats. There are more than 125 stallholders so you’ll easily find a few things you love.

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Sunday Markets

Old Bus Depot Markets

the building exterior of Old Bus Depot Markets
Old Bus Depot Markets has become a renowned Canberra institution. (Image: VisitCanberra)

When: Sunday, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Address: 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston

Old Bus Depot Markets is Canberra’s most popular weekly market and has been standing tall for over 30 years.

The huge market is shaped into an old industrial space that once housed the Old Bus Depot building – hence the obvious name – and pops up every Sunday with over 200 stalls selling the best in fashion, accessories, art, furniture, and produce.

Buy some homemade jam or a statement-making art piece and then celebrate your find at the curated Gourmet Food Hall.

Haig Park Village Markets

crowded market stalls at Haig Park Village Markets
Visit Haig Park Village Markets every Sunday of the month. (Image: Snaps by Sal)

When: Sunday, 8:30am – 2pm
Where: Cnr Lonsdale St and Girrahween St, Braddon, ACT 2612

If you’re looking for a leafy weekend market with a strong sense of community, you’ll find it in Haig Park near the heart of Braddon.

Haig Park Village Markets goes down each Sunday from 8:30am to 2pm, always offering a family-friendly day out with local musicians and mostly farmers’ produce sitting alongside pastries, fresh juices, sandwiches and more.

Head on down, grab some bites and set up a picnic in the park – it’s the best way to do it.

Southside Farmers Market

fresh produce on offer at Southside Farmer’s Market, Canberra
Southside Farmer’s Market pitches the region’s best produce.

When: Sunday, 7am – 11:30am
Address: 2 Launceston St, Phillip

Head out to the picturesque suburb of Phillip to find Southside Farmers Market  every Sunday. Opening at 7am and only running until 11:30am, the Canberra food markets pitch the region’s best produce tied up in mouth-watering foods like ready-to-eat pies, pastries and artisan cheeses. Stock up on homemade jams, oils and sauces, flowers, fish, eggs, honey and more.

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Hartley Hall Markets

people sitting on the grass at Hartley Hall Markets
Spend a family-friendly day out on the lush grounds of Hartley Hall Markets.

When: First Sunday of every month, 10am – 3pm
Address: Gladstone St, Hall ACT 2618

Held on the first Sunday of each month, the Hartley Hall Markets typically draws in a very mixed crowd and is a favourite for day-trippers as it’s one of Australia’s largest markets of artisan goods and produce. The markets are run out of Hall Village Showground by Hartley Lifecare and have been around since 1987, growing exponentially with a long list of stallholders selling baked goods, fresh produce, unique gifts, children’s toys and more. Like most Canberra markets, it’s also dog-friendly so you’ll have to resist petting every pup you see while shopping around. Entry is by gold coin donation.

Clothes Markets

Three Sixty Fashion Markets

When: Four times a year with no set dates (announced via social media)
Address: Fitters’ Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston

Three Sixty Fashion Markets are part of the wider Canberra Markets collective and only pop up 3-4 times a year on alternative dates in March, June, September and November. Starting at 10am, the niche market pulls together Canberra’s best local labels and independent designers for a range of vintage, retro and high-quality fashion. Only gently used or new goods are accepted, packing Kingston’s Fitters Workshop with rows of the year’s best looks.

Occasional Markets

Canberra Kids Market

When: Twice a year with no set dates (dates announced via social media)
Address: Fitters’ Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston ACT 2604

The Canberra Kids Market is the best place to shop for kids in Canberra, especially those aged 0-12 years old, with a massive range of clothes, toys, baby care, cots, strollers, prams, car seats, party supplies and more goods that focus on giving parents an affordable yet high-quality selection of kids essentials. The market typically only comes around twice a year with no set date. Times are always announced on the popular market’s social media channels with most years usually getting one in March and one in November. It’s

Handmade Market

crowded stalls at Handmade Market, Canberra
Find something you love from over 250 stalls. (Image: Handmade Market)

When: Quarterly, check the website for dates and times
Address: Exhibition Pavilion, Flemington Rd, Mitchell, ACT 2911

The quarterly Handmade Market celebrates food and design in equal measure, sticking to the Canberra region with a strong sense of place and community. It’s a great thing to do in Canberra if you’re looking for any unique gifts to take home with the scope including pottery, one-of-a-kind wrapping paper, plants, candles and more. There are over 250 stalls so you’ll surely find something. Plus, the market even offers a “low sensory shopping hour" (9am – 10am) for people with mobility difficulties and sensory sensitivities.

Melissa Mason
Melissa Mason is a freelance journalist who loves road tripping and car snacks. Previously holding Editor roles at ELLE, marie claire, Broadsheet and Pedestrian.TV, she now writes travel and lifestyle content for a wealth of Australian titles like SMH, Mamamia and Urban List, as well as copywriting for international brands. Outside of writing, she loves walks with her dog Ted, a great Sunday afternoon with friends, and op shopping. If she could be anywhere right now it would be lounging on a hammock at a tropical resort with a great romantic fantasy book.
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The best trails and natural moments around Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

    There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.

    The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.

    From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.

    1. Warburton

    Biking around Warburton is one best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
    Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.

    The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.

    If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.

    2. Yarra Glen

    Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.

    A highlight is Alowyn Gardens, which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.

    Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.

    If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.

    3. Healesville

    One of the best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is seeing a Koala upclose.
    Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary, where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.

    To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.

    Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.

    4. Olinda

    Cloudehill Gardens is a beautifully curated, year-round garden destination featuring nine terraced gardens filled with seasonal blooms and lush plant varieties.
    Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.

    The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.

    The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.

    Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

    5. Emerald

    A lady eating with the view of Emerald Lake Park.
    Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges, the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.

    You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.

    The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.

    Start planning your next adventure at visityarravalley.com.au