7 treasure-packed Newcastle markets to add to your diary

Melissa Mason Melissa Mason
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Produce straight from farmers and locally-made goods you won’t find elsewhere – Newcastle’s best markets have it all.

For too long, Newcastle was treated as a stopover destination on the way up the NSW coast. But the city and its surrounds have plenty to offer the curious traveller, from some of the best beaches in the state to a celebrated foodie scene. Another reason to visit on your next weekend away? Its markets – renowned for high-quality produce, boutique wineries and local artisans, all of whom come together regularly to sell their wares. These are the ones worth noting in your diary, plus what to expect from their stalls.

1. Handmade in the Hunter Markets

Where: 5 Halls Road, Pokolbin
When: Saturdays, 9am–2pm

floral displays and other items at Handmade in the Hunter Markets
You’ll find an array of unique items to take home.

As the name suggests, the Handmade in the Hunter Markets are all about showcasing the best handmade goods from local artisans. It’s the perfect Newcastle market for finding something new, whether that be an innovative skin cream, creative earrings or a stylish summer dress. The market coordinators are selective with stallholders, ensuring no two stalls are the same and encouraging a diverse range of wares from the community.

2. Warners Bay Markets

Where: The Esplanade, Warners Bay
When: The third Saturday of each month, 9am–1pm

A short drive to the peaceful suburb of Warners Bay in Lake Macquarie will find you at Warners Bay Markets, a wonderful spot to peruse locally made products. The stalls have a distinct focus on slow fashion brands, artisan spirits, pottery and ceramics. It’s especially worth visiting before Christmas for unique gifts that support small businesses.

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3. Olive Tree Markets

Where: Civic Park, Newcastle
When: The first Saturday of each month, 9am–2pm

people gathering at Olive Tree Markets
Shop around Olive Tree Markets or simply lay a picnic blanket and relax.

The Olive Tree Markets might be the most stylish of all, featuring 130 artists, designers, makers, producers and street food purveyors from around the region. The highly curated stallholder list is a trove of talent across the fashion, jewellery, art and lifestyle spaces, meaning you’ll almost certainly find a locally made treasure (or two) to take home with you. The event focuses on community and gathering, with live music and food stalls, too.

4. Newcastle City Farmer’s Market

Where: Newcastle Showground, Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow
When: Sundays, 7am–1pm

On Sundays, you can usually find farmers setting up stalls at Newcastle Showground early in the morning, preparing for the waves of locals and tourists who flock to this long-running Newcastle market. Head down and you’ll find overflowing punnets of berries, fresh-picked greens and warm sourdough straight from the oven. Aside from fresh fruit and veg, you can shop handmade items like quilts, soaps, bespoke teas and wooden toys. Skip breakfast and pick up something delicious from one of the vendors, too.

5. Homegrown Markets at the Station

Where: The old train station, Newcastle
When: The second Saturday of each month, 10am–2pm

Homegrown Markets at the Station in Newcastle, NSW
Browse over 100 stalls at the Station. (Image: Homegrown Markets x AK Photo)

Homegrown operates several fantastic markets in the Newcastle region, but the Homegrown Markets at the Station are particularly special. Hosted within the old train station, it retains the nostalgic design features of the historic grounds, making it a lovely space to enjoy on a weekend morning. Browse over 100 stalls selling eco-friendly products, handmade goods and gifts, all while enjoying live music and a plethora of delicious food stalls.

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6. Made & Found Market

Where: Webb Park, Redhead
When: The second Sunday of each month, 10am–2pm

Another Newcastle market run by the Homegrown team, Made & Found makes our list as it’s one of the best places to source vintage and second-hand finds. An eclectic mix of stallholders sell handmade goods, curated collections of pre-loved items and upcycled secondhand pieces, like hand-painted denim and tie-dye fashion. If you pride yourself on your style, this is the market for you!

7. Newcastle Food & Flower Markets

Where: 1 Rural Drive, Sandgate
When: Wednesdays–Saturdays, 8am–2pm

flowers on display at Newcastle Food & Flower Markets
Find pastel-hued bouquets at Newcastle Food & Flower Markets.

The Newcastle Food & Flower Markets are open five days a week. The market proudly supports local businesses and those with a focus on sustainable and eco-conscious living. You will, of course, find plenty of fresh produce and flowers, but be sure to check the website in advance to see what workshops are being held, from flower arranging to cooking. There’s also an onsite cafe for a pick-me-up after you shop.

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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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.