Australia’s top 10 farmers markets worth a visit

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Visiting the local farmers’ market has become the cornerstone of a foodie’s weekend (and a nicer way to get your groceries than the supermarket). Stock up your pantry at these top 10 outings.

1. Adelaide Farmers’ Market Adelaide, SA

Marketplace details:

Adelaide Farmer's Markets.
A glimpse into Adelaide Farmer’s Markets.

Held outdoors at Adelaide Showground every Sunday from 9am – 1pm.

Market fact:

 

Each week cooking demonstrations are held inside the Market Kitchen at Adelaide Farmer’s Markets, using local produce to create mouth-watering dishes. You may recognise some of the faces from MKR and MasterChef.

Market special:

 

Ice-cream in flavours such as lemon myrtle, native mint, lilly pilly and wild ginger from Bushtucker Ice-cream.

 

2. Collingwood Children’s Farm/Melbourne Farmers’ Markets, Abbotsford, VIC

Marketplace details:

Melbourne Farmer's Market at Collingwood Children's Farm.
Delicious raclette cheese available at Melbourne Farmer’s Market at Collingwood Children’s Farm.

Melbourne Farmers’ Markets is held outdoors at Collingwood Children’s Farm on the second Saturday of each month, 8am – 1pm. There’s a $2 entry fee per adult (children are free), which supports projects at the farm. The kids will love getting to know the farm animals.

Market fact:

 

It’s completely plastic bag-free here, so don’t forget your canvas shopping totes.

Market special:

 

The pancake stall is run by volunteers and all funds raised support the Young Farmers program. Tuck in for a feel-good breakfast.

 

3. Eveleigh Market, Eveleigh, NSW

Mushrooms Eveleigh Markets.
Mushroom out from beneath the shade: Eveleigh Markets, Sydney.

Marketplace details: Undercover at Carriageworks, every Saturday (rain, hail or shine), 8am – 1pm.

 

Market fact: Eveleigh Market features well-known Sydney eateries Bourke Street Bakery, Sonomo and Billy Kwong have stands here – you may even see Miss Kylie Kwong herself serving up steamed pork buns!

 

Market special: Honey pollinated around the city from The Rocks to Marrickville at The Urban Beehive.

 

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4. Farmgate Market, Hobart, TAS

Marketplace details: Outdoors at Bathurst Street every Sunday (rain, hail or shine) from 8:30am – 1pm.

Farmgate Market in Hobart, Tasmania.
People perusing Farmgate Market in Hobart, Tasmania.

Market fact: At Farmgate Market, everything sold must be grown or produced in Tasmania and only the people who grow, raise, produce, extract or pluck the goods can trade.

 

Market special: Sourdough donuts filled with apple and cardamom jam or dark choc and salty pistachio.

 

5. Noosa Farmers’ Market, Noosa, QLD

Marketplace details: Outdoors at Noosa Australian Football Club every Sunday (rain, hail or shine), 7am – 12pm.

Noosa Farmer's Markets.
Fresh produce from Noosa Farmer’s Markets.

Market fact: Noosa Farmers’ Market organisers are also behind the Noosa Food ETrail – a website showcasing a behind-the-scenes-style exploration of the local food region through fruit picking, farm tours, cooking schools. Plus markets and farm gates.

 

Market special: Handmade quality olive oils, olive tapenade and fresh olives from Fat Hen Farm.

 

6. Capital Region Farmers’ Market Canberra, ACT

Marketplace details: Undercover at Exhibition Park, most Saturdays from 7:30–11:30am.

Canberra Farmers Markets?
Why not pick up a gooey brownie from stallholder, The Hungry Brown Cow at Capital Region Farmers’ Market Canberra?

Market fact: At Capital Region Farmers Market, the majority of produce at the market (excluding some specialty products) comes from less than 300 kilometres away. The distance travelled by each stallholder is listed on the market website.

 

Market special: The pâtés of Fine Terrines & Pâtés come in all sorts of flavours from free-range chicken to Porcini and port – but if those don’t tickle your fancy, they’ll try to make one especially for you.

 

7. Talbot Farmers’ Markets, Talbot, VIC

Marketplace details: Talbot Farmers’ Market is held outdoors at Scandinavian Crescent on the third Sunday of each month, from 9am – 1pm.

Talbot Markets in Victoria.
Browse vintage finds at Talbot Markets in Victoria.

Market fact: The Town Hall Market is held on the same day just adjacent to the farmers’ market – it sells books, toys, crafts, clothing and more.

 

Market special: The award-winning Cooks Treat Ripper Relish and BBQue Brew (both gluten free, too!).

 

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8. Margaret River Farmers’ Markets Margaret River, WA

Marketplace details: This market is held at the Margaret River Education Campus on the third Sunday of every month, from 9am – 1pm.

Margaret River Farmer's Market.
Pick up a treat at Margaret River Farmer’s Market.

Market fact: Stalls at Margaret River Farmers’ Market are given priority based on how ‘local’ the produce is: if it’s made by farmers within the Margaret River Region with their own produce, it takes priority over residents of the Margaret River Region using local produce and those who use products from outside of the area and so on.

 

Market special: Bahen & Co’s factory is not open to the public, so get your hands on the artisan chocolate handmade using cacao beans and raw sugar.

 

9. Barossa Farmers’ Markets Barossa Valley, SA

Marketplace details: Barossa Farmers’ Markets is held undercover in the Vinters Sheds, Angaston, every Saturday from 7:30–11:30am.

Barossa Valley Farmer's Markets.
Barossa Distilling Company flavouring the farmer’s markets.

Market fact: The farmers travel an average of just 15 kilometres to get here, so you know all the produce is local and super fresh.

 

Market special: Fill up for breakfast on the delicious egg and bacon Market Burger.

 

10. Gold Coast Organic Market, Miami, QLD

Marketplace details: Outdoors at Miami High State School every Sunday, 6–11:30am.

Gold Coast Organic Market.
Delicious freshly made Organic Vegan Museli, Bowls from Gold Coast Organic Market.

Market fact: All produce at Gold Coast Organic Market must be straight from the farm and Certified Organically grown. But it’s not just the food that’s organic, there are also cleaning products, cosmetics, clothing and bedding.

 

Market special: The fermented beverages from Buchi Kombucha, made from organic white, black or green teas (or a blend), organic raw sugar, and a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, are meant to be ‘ridiculously good for you’. To sweeten the deal, they come in a variety of flavours including Ginger and Tumeric, Coffee, and Hibiscus Galangal Lime.

 

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Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
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    Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

    Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.

    Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.

    And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.

    Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.

    Day 1: An eventful day

    Morning

    The Strand in townsville
    Explore The Strand.

    Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.

    Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.

    Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.

    Afternoon

    concert in front of castle hill townsville events
    Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.

    For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.

    Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.

    Time your visit for events like the Townsville Folk Festival (June 12-14), Supercars Townsville 500 (July 10-12), Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week (August 27-September 2), North Australian Festival of Arts (September 25 – October 11) or see the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup (coming in 2027).

    Day 2: Island dreaming

    Morning

    Pilgrim Sailing magnetic island
    Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.

    Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.

    The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.

    Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.

    Afternoon

    picnic bay on magnetic island
    Head to Picnic Bay for delicious dining.

    Refuel after a morning of adventure. Seasalt Arcade at Picnic Bay has several good options. Savour craft brews and Latin tapas at Maggie Island Brewery, opt for bagels and light bites at Lava Lava cafe or fine dining at Restaurant Elsie.

    Now, it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stay the whole day on Maggie, or return to Townsville, where there’s plenty more to discover.

    Head to The Docks at Flinders Street Wharves for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach or join Poseidon Adventures for water sport adventures.

    Evening

    Ardo's Rooftop townsville
    End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.

    However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.

    Day 3: Natural delights

    Morning

    couple holiding hands at the top of castle hill in townsville
    Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)

    Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.

    A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.

    Afternoon

    Shorehouse restaurant townsville
    Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.

    Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.

    Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.

    Plan your eventful visit to Townsville North Queensland at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.