Here’s your guide to some of the best farmers market experiences across the country.
New South Wales
Carriageworks Farmers Market
Every Saturday 8am–1pm
Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
A former train workshop in the centre of Sydney is an unlikely spot to find farmers, but the Carriageworks Farmers Market at Eveleigh is where both farmers and foodies congregate each week to exchange the best food in NSW. The market features a wide range of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, eggs and flowers as well as artisan products. Farmers travel from all across the state and visitors come from across Sydney to experience the quality food. The market regularly hosts talks and presentations by both farmers and chefs.
Special note: Keep your eye out for Hand’n’Hoe macadamia products, certified organic from the Mid North Coast of NSW.
Mullumbimby Farmers Market
Every Friday 7am–11am
Mullumbimby Showground
Servicing the diverse community in Northern NSW, this Friday morning farmers market is the place to buy a wide range of food and food-related products, from fresh fruit and vegetables to artisan baked goods, seedlings and garden products. The market was established in part to support and encourage local food production, foster the establishment of small, local food-related businesses and strengthen local food security. These community development principles mean the market is a welcoming and vibrant place.
Special note: You’ll find Anthony from Rainforest Foods selling his gourmet macadamias and nut butters at this friendly market.
Warwick Farm Trackside Market
Every Saturday 8am–12pm
Childs Park, Ascot Drive, Chipping Norton
As the name suggests, this market was originally established at the Warwick Farm Racecourse by farmers on the outskirts of Sydney. Although it has since moved from its original location, the market has a very strict policy about who is allowed to sell there. Only producers actually growing or producing fresh produce and products are allowed to sell, making it a genuine marketplace for farmers. This doesn’t limit what is available to the public, though. There is a diverse range of products for sale including meat and small goods, milk, cheeses, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh cut flowers and pet food.
Australian Capital Territory
Capital Region Farmers Market
Most Saturdays 7.30am–12pm
Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Watson
The original and the best ACT farmers market! The Capital Region Farmers Market, which began as just 15 stalls in 2004, is now home to over 200 stallholders each week. They serve both locals and visitors who come in their thousands to experience the capital at its seasonal best. Coordinated by the Rotary Club, it’s the best place to experience Canberra’s locally-made baked goods, small goods, vegetables and other artisan products.
Special note: For fresh, roasted and flavoured macadamias look for ‘the world’s best nuts’ stall who exhibit each week.
Victoria
Talbot Farmers Market
Third Sunday every month 9am–1pm
Scandinavian Crescent & Camp Street, Talbot
Most of the time, Talbot is a sleepy country town located about 90 minutes north west of Melbourne’s famous Westgate Bridge. But on the third Sunday of every month the village streetscape is lined with stallholders and becomes the bustling Talbot Farmers Market. Residents and visitors come from miles around to trade and talk. As a sign that this is truly a market that meets the needs of farmers, you won’t just find seasonal fruit and organic vegetables, local artisan cheese, fresh bread and local wine; there are also chooks, stockfeed, cut flowers, plants and seedlings for sale!
Abbotsford Convent Farmers Market
Fourth Saturday every month 8am–1pm
Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne
Abbotsford Convent Farmers Market has a long standing connection to the Slow Food Movement in Victoria and brings a wide range of Victorian food producers together with their customers in the grounds of an historic convent. With a wide range of organic and biodynamic products including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs and meat as well as artisan breads, brews and smallgoods, this market is a foodies dream! It is also plastic bag free, so if you are planning a trip there make sure you bring a shopping basket!
Special note: For something nutty seek out the ‘Go Just Nuts’ market stall.
Tasmania
Tasmanian Farm Gate Market
Every Sunday 8.30am–1.00pm
Bathurst St, between Murray and Elizabeth Streets, Hobart
This biggest city in Tasmania isn’t exactly a rural idyll, but Hobart’s Farm Gate Market draws in farmers from all over the state to sell their goods at this community-focused market. What began as twelve stallholders with trestle tables has grown into a Sunday morning institution for Hobartians and is consistently ranked as one of the best farmers markets in Australia. Get there at 8.30am to hear the ceremonial ringing of the bell that commences trade.
Harvest Launceston
Every Saturday 8.30am–12.30pm
71 Cimitiere Street, Launceston
At the highly awarded Harvest Launceston market, you can find all the locally grown and made products that you would expect from the apple aisle including cider, berries, potatoes and cheeses. But there’s also unexpected ones, like olives and avocados (when they are in season). Artisan bakers, brewers and fermenters are also among the stallholders of this welcoming local market that provides toys for the kids and even someone to mind the dog while you shop.
South Australia
Barossa Farmers Market
Every Saturday 7.30am–11.30am
Corner Nuriootpa and Stockwell Roads, Angaston
This undercover market features a huge selection of the produce that the Barossa is rightly famous for. Seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, bread, olive products and smallgoods are available to buy. But the best way for a visitor to experience the market is on a hosted walking tour where you are guided through the markets and get to hear the stories of the producers and the food they make.
Willunga Farmers Market
Every Saturday 8am–12.30pm
Willunga Town Square, Willunga
Willunga Farmers Market is famous for hosting a range of different markets for artists and artisans, but their food market, established so the numerous small producers on the Fleurieu Peninsula could sell directly to the public, are popular with everyone. The market is held every Saturday and serves as a community hub hosting over 80 stallholders from around McLaren Vale. Dogs are welcome too!
Western Australia
Margaret River Farmers Market
Every Saturday of the year 8am–12pm (winter season) or 7.30am–11.30am (summer season)
Margaret River Education Campus, Lot 272 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River.
It’s easy to see why this market won the trophy for best farmers market at the 2018 Delicious Produce Awards. Margaret River Farmers Market works hard to makes sure it is an authentic farmers market that only sells food and cut flowers from within the local area. Not only does this mean the products it sells are super fresh, it means that the market is a vibrant hub for the community, welcoming for visitors and supportive of local farmers. You’ll find everything you need at this country gem.
Special note: Keep your eye out for Treeton Valley Macadamias for fresh macadamia nuts or Bettenay’s Margaret River Nougat Company for something sweet.
Queensland
Northey Street Organic Market
Every Sunday from 6am to 11am
Northey Street City Farm, Windsor
This bustling market in the city of Brisbane features a wide range of organic growers from the local area. Held on Sunday mornings, it is a popular meeting spot for locals looking for organic produce straight from the farm.
Special note: Check out the ‘Our Organics’ and ‘Sovereign Foods’ stalls to find Australian macadamias at this community market.
Davies Park Market
Every Saturday 6am – 2pm
Davies Park, West End
It’s not just a market, it’s a weekly community event! Held under a glorious canopy of giant fig trees, the Davies Park Market features plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy food that’s ready to eat, antipasto, local wines and a few surprises from week to week. As a bonus, this market also hosts stall holders that sell clothing, original artworks, bric-a-brac and vintage fashion. There’s even a knife sharpening service so you are ready to cook as soon as you get home with your market haul.