14 Cairns Markets to Add to the Calendar

Sharing the region’s incredibly diverse offerings, there’s a Cairns market out there to suit every taste, budget, and whim.

Tropical North Queensland offers a hefty number of unique experiences, but when it comes to tasting the unique flavours of this region, you have to head to the eclectic variety of Cairns markets.

From stalls along the beachside promenade and out in the rustic country to indoor night markets and plenty more in between, here are 14 of the best markets Cairns has to offer.

1. Rusty’s Market

desserts on display at Rusty’s Market, Cairns — Delight in sweet creations at Rusty’s Market. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Those in town for the weekend should set their sights (and stomachs) on the iconic Rusty’s Market . What began as a modest, community food market has now transformed into a bustling three-day event every week, showcasing over 180 stalls.

Both tourists and locals convene from Friday to Sunday to browse the region’s best. You’ll find local produce – exotic fruit, artisan bread, samosas, coffee, smoothie’s organic meats, and the like – as well as international foods, jewellery, clothing and more.

Opening hours: Friday – Saturday 5am to 6pm and Sunday 5am to 3pm.

Location: 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns City
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 minute drive

2. Cairns Night Markets

unique items at Cairns Night Markets — Find unique gifts and trinkets at Cairns Night Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Each night when the sun sets, the Cairns Night Markets come alive and are famous for good reason.

With over 70 market shops to explore (including gifts, homeware, jewellery and more), as well as a varied food court and licensed restaurants, it’s the perfect place to grab dinner and hunt for a bargain. Oh, and it’s fully air-conditioned too, so if it’s a scorcher of a night, you know where to go.

Opening hours: Daily 4.30 – 11pm.

Location: 54-60 Abbott St, Cairns City
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 minute drive

3. Carnival on Collins

guests exploring Cairns Botanic Gardens Conservatory — Wander through the lush Cairns Botanic Gardens. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

A market and festival wrapped up one? Yes Please. Join the annual Carnival on Collins Street party celebrating life in the tropics as you wander through the Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct.

Be entertained in every direction, from pop-up dance acts and lively street performers to the multicultural rhythms coming from the main stage. Over 200 market stalls will feature on the day, with plants, arts, and crafts, alongside an extensive array of free workshops.

Opening hours: Sunday 7 September 2025, 9am – 3pm

Location: Tanks Arts Centre & Cairns Botanic Gardens, 46 Collins Avenue, Edge Hill.
Distance from Cairns Centre: 8 minutes drive

4. Tanks Monthly Markets

For a taste of the arts, the Tanks Monthly Markets showcase a blend of local art, craft, and vintage clothing, as well as produce, collectables, natural-health products, and food and drink stalls.

Everyone is invited to wander the leafy promenade and enjoy the local musicians and refreshments.

Opening hours: Held on the last Sunday of the month from 8am – 1pm (between April and November).

Location: Tanks Arts Centre, 46 Collins Ave, Edge Hill
Distance from Cairns Centre: 8 minutes drive

5. Gordonvale Cottage Markets

potted plants in a shopping cart — Find an abundance of potted plants at Gordonvale Cottage Markets. (Image: Getty/Ольга Симонова)

At the heart of the sugar farming township of Gordonvale is their monthly market with a happy country vibe, often with live music, and an enjoyable atmosphere. There are around 120 stalls to explore, including a wide variety of homemade crafts, locally grown produce, and delicious food.

Opening hours: Held on the first Saturday of every month (except in January).

Location: Norman Park, Gordonvale
Distance from Cairns Centre: 25 minutes drive

6. Palm Cove Markets

chakra coconut candles at Palm Cove Markets — Chakra coconut candles at Palm Cove Markets.

Heroing its sustainable, local, quality handmade products, the Palm Cove Markets have a reputation for being one of Tropical North Queensland’s best community markets. With over 130 stalls stretched across Williams Esplanade and entertainment alongside beachside scenery, it’s a market experience unlike anything you’re used to at home.

Opening hours: Held on the first Sunday of every month.

Location: Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Distance from Cairns Centre: 30 minutes drive

7. Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets

two women strolling along Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets — Meander around the stalls at Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/ Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Found high up in the famous mountain village of Kuranda, the Kuranda Rainforest Markets showcase the area’s local arts, cuisine, culture, and history, and attract thousands of visitors annually.

With rustic yet charming outdoor stalls, a strong eco-conscious ethic, gourmet regional fare, tropical gardens to walk through, and even a mini golf course, why not enjoy a whole day trip here?

Opening hours: Held every day 10am – 3pm.

Location: 13 Therwine St, Kuranda
Distance from Cairns Centre: 35 minutes drive

8. Port Douglas Sunday Markets

market stalls at Port Douglas Sunday Markets — Spend your Sunday shopping at the esplanade. (Image: Port Douglas Sunday Markets)

Just a short stroll from the esplanade, the Port Douglas Sunday Markets have a little bit of everything, from freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, opened coconuts, chocolate-coated bananas, fresh tandoori, and ice creams, smoothies, and great coffee, as well as fashion, jewellery, art, music, local buskers and entertainers.

Opening hours: Held every Sunday from early morning to late afternoon.

Location: Rex Smeal Park, Macrossan Street, Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour drive

9. Wednesday Market at Crystalbrook Superyach Marina in Port Douglas

boats moored at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas — Enjoy some shopping on Wednesdays at the marina. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Wednesday is a popular day for cruise ships to visit Port Douglas, so what better place to hold a market than at the Marina to greet visitors? It’s an easy way to hop off and connect with local products and services.

Opening hours: Held every Wednesday from 11am – 5pm (April to October) and every Wednesday over Christmas school holidays.

Location: 44 Wharf St, Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour drive

10. Mareeba Markets

a stall selling plants and locally grown produce at Mareeba Markets — Shop locally grown produce at Mareeba Markets.

Browse up to 150 stalls at the Mareeba Markets showcasing locally grown produce, quality handmade products, food, drinks, live music and much more. Coordinated by the Lions Club of Mareeba, it’s a fantastic opportunity to support the area’s local sellers in the community.

Opening hours: Held every second and fifth Saturday of the month.

Location: 100 Park (Centenary Park), Byrnes Street, Mareeba
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour drive

11. Yungaburra Markets

fruit stalls at Yungaburra Markets — Meander around the stalls selling fresh fruits at Yungaburra Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Fancy a day trip to the Atherton Tablelands? With a relaxed family atmosphere and the philosophy of fostering the value of buying local, the Yungaburra Markets bring together around 260 local growers, producers, and artisans to display and sell their produce and handiwork in the middle of the historic village of Yungaburra.

Opening hours: Held every fourth Saturday of the month from 7.30am – 12.30pm.

Location: 4 Maple Street, Yungaburra
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes drive

12. Mossman Markets

a woman walking through Mossman Markets — Browse your way around the stalls selling arts and crafts. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Described as the world’s most beautiful markets under the Mossman Raintrees, the Mossman Markets are a genuine country market where you can expect to find a lot of fresh produce, including exotic fruits, herbs and spices, and a wide range of vegetables.

As well as taste testing and browsing, take your pick of arts and crafts to take home as a unique handmade souvenir.

Opening hours: Held every Saturday from 7am – 1pm.

Location: 13 Foxton Ave, Mossman
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour and 15 minutes drive

13. Mission Beach Markets

a woman browsing through the stalls at Mission Beach Markets — Look for handcrafted items at Mission Beach Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Located in the shady Ulysses Day Park beside the beach on Porter Promenade, you’ll find something for everyone at the local Mission Beach Markets . Meander around 100 stall sites consisting of a wide range of goods from fruit and veg, takeaway food, plants, clothing, jewellery, books, second-hand items and handcrafted wares and more.

Opening hours: Held every first and third Sunday of the month from 8am – 1pm.

Location: Opposite Hideaway Holiday Village in Porter Promenade in the Mission Beach Village
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour and 50 minutes drive

14. Mission Beach Monster Markets

Managed and promoted by the Mission Beach Rotary Club, the Wednesday Monster Markets are a much-loved sibling to the Sunday Mission Beach Markets, but held nearby on a grassed sports field at MARCS Park, where you can expect to find much the same — a huge variety of exciting stalls.

Opening hours: Held on the last Sunday of every month from 8am – 12.30pm (April to November)

Location: MARCS Park, Cassowary Drive, Mission Beach
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour and 50 minutes drive

Stay up to date with openings, special market events, and local community markets via the Cairns Market Facebook page .

Ready for another adventure? Check out the most dreamy islands to visit off Cairns

Beyond the sand, sea and food scene, Townsville is shaping up to be the new events capital of the Sunshine State.

Townsville is quickly making a name for itself as an events capital of Queensland. From worldwide sporting events to celebrations of the arts, there’s never been a better time to align your next tropical getaway with the unbeatable vibes of an event in Townsville.

The yearly calendar is full, meaning there’s an event for everyone. But these are shaping up to be some of the biggest events in 2025.

1. North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA)

24 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

While sun, sea and sand might be the first images conjured up at a mention of Townsville, the tropical city is fast making a name for itself as a cultural hub. Experience it at its best during the North Australian Festival of Arts.

Over several weeks, the famous Strand in Townsville will be bursting with colour, sound and energy as it celebrates the arts, culture and community. Catch theatre, cabaret, dance, circus acts and so much more. Stop to listen to world-class live music and even get involved with interactive workshops.

In previous years, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra performed a free outdoor concert and Brisbane Author, Trent Dalton, was there to share his latest book.

performers at North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) — Catch live music and more.

2. Supercars NTI Townsville 500

11-13 July, 2025

Sports fans will be pleased to know that Townsville boasts more than just the NRL Cowboy’s. Those facing the comedown of this year’s Formula 1 can bounce back with the 2025 NTI Townsville 500. Each year, the event draws motorsport enthusiasts from around the country as Supercar racing takes over the streets of Townsville.

Off the race track, the weekend also promises plenty of car tricks and displays – think drifting, car builds and the MotorEx automotive expo – plus live music, ADF displays, freestyle motocross and more.

crowd watching Supercars NTI Townsville 500, townsville events — See supercars take over Townsville.

3. Australian Festival of Chamber Music

25 July – 2 Aug 2025

Clear your ears of the sounds of revving engines with one of the city’s longest-running events, The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM). Here, some of the world’s most celebrated musicians head to Townsville to perform an impressive 30 concerts over nine days.

The best part? AFCM features exclusive shows that can only be experienced at the festival, like AFCM Concert Conversations, where visiting festival musicians share their personal and professional lives.

lead image for Australian Festival of Chamber Music, townsville events — Experience exclusive events at the AFCM. (Image: Andrew Rankin)

4. SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week

28 Aug – 2 Sep 2025

Just 20 minutes from the city, koala-filled Magnetic Island is a must-do at any time of year. Time the trip for the annual SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week to not only enjoy paradise, but also five days of tropical racing fun with a twist.

Every August to September, enjoy live bands, parties, beach festivals, markets, long lunches and even mud crab races. All while taking in tropical island views.

SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week — Enhance Magnetic Island trips with five days of tropical racing. (Image: TEQ)

5. Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition

23 Apr – 24 Aug 2025

Hailing from England, Wedgwood has been a household name almost since the brand started in 1759 (by Charles Darwin’s grandfather). With over 260 years under the company’s belt since then, its ceramics and designs are popular all over the world.

And now, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry will showcase highlights of the brand’s history – straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum – at Townsville’s Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

Wedgwood teacup — See the best of Wedgwood. (Image: Getty/ Photonewman)

6. Wallabies v Argentina

6 September

Rugby fans should time their Townsville getaway for September to add watching the Wallabies clash against Argentina from Queensland Country Bank Stadium to their itineraries.

The home ground of the NRL North Queensland Cowboys, this vibrant and stylish $185 million sporting venue in South Townsville is the perfect setting to enjoy sports.

aerial of Queensland Country Bank Stadium in townsville — See the rugby at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your event-filled getaway at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au .

14 must-visit markets in and around Cairns