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A guide to Australia’s best capital city markets

Feature photo: A guide to Australia’s best capital city markets

Do you love snagging a bargain or trawling for vintage treasures and indulging in delicious, locally made food? Us too!

Visiting a local market is the backbone of many Aussies’ weekend calendar. From local organic produce and vintage finds to gourmet pastries and fresh catches of the day, our capital city’s markets are a delight for both locals and visitors alike.

So, check out our guide to the best markets in a capital city near you.

Sydney

Glebe Markets

You’ll find a huge variety of wares among the 200 stalls that take over Glebe Public School each Saturday morning, but it’s the hunt for the perfect clothing item that attracts the most visitors. There are rows upon rows of eccentric and colourful vintage clothes, alongside hand-crafted jewellery, accessories and new clothing designed by locals. Not to mention you’re right on Glebe Point Road so you’ll find great coffee shops, popular homeware stores and some of Sydney's best bookshops along the way.

Paddington Markets

Every Saturday, more than 100 stalls line the grounds of Paddington Uniting Church and the neighbouring public school selling Australian-made fashion, handmade crockery and metal costume jewellery. The market has been operating on the same day since 1973, and the all-weather event is a profitable fundraiser for the church. 

ACT

Haig Park Village Markets

Haig Park Village Markets are about creating a vibrant farmers market filled with fresh, nutritious, quality produce and products at reasonable prices, with the bonus of supporting and promoting local regional farmers and businesses. These vibrant farmers markets have a unique and diverse range of produce and products, a relaxed Sunday vibe, delicious eats and live local music. 9am-2pm every Sunday and dogs are welcome.

Melbourne

For fresh food, irresistible treats, unique gifts and endless bargains, there's nothing like a market – and Melbourne has them scattered right across the city.

Four tacos resting in a holder with a person behind wearing a shirt that says 'you had me at tacos'

Queen Victoria Market

Officially opened in 1878, this market has been serving locals and tourists alike for more than 140 years. Also known as ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’, this historic landmark spread over two city blocks, is a vibrant and bustling inner-city market where you can shop at over 600 small businesses for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, local and imported gourmet foods, clothing and souvenirs. Open Tuesdays to Sundays.

South Melbourne Markets

South Melbourne Market is the quintessential village market showcasing and supporting local farmers, artisans and producers. It’s a foodie’s paradise where freshness, quality and diversity are paramount. There’s an amazing array of goods and services with everything from clothing, homewares and second-hand books to hairdressing and pet food. With a full calendar of live music, events and activities, this market is a place that really celebrates the senses.

Of course, you can also get something to eat from one of the many restaurants and cafes. Open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am.

Hobart

Salamanca Market 

Salamanca Market is a street market in Hobart and one of Tasmania's most visited tourist attractions winning many awards for excellence. The best part of these markets is the location. Occupying prime position along historical Salamanca Place, it’s surrounded by the beautiful Hobart waterfront and harbour and bookended by lofty Mt Wellington in the distance. You will find fresh produce from local growers, hot coffee and delicious breakfast and lunch options, lots of gift ideas and plenty of handmade products. Open each Saturday from 8.30 am - 3.00 pm.

Farm Gate Market

Tasmania’s distinct growing seasons make for an ever-changing array of produce and that’s celebrated at these markets every Sunday.

Staying true to what’s in season locally is reflected throughout the market, in fresh produce stalls, in artisan foods and on street food vendors menus. ‘Farmy’ operates every Sunday from 8.30am – 1.00pm, rain, hail or shine.

Adelaide

Adelaide Central Market

With over 70 traders under one roof, the Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the Southern Hemisphere, buzzing with life and colour all year round. Offering a huge range of fresh food, along with some of Adelaide’s most popular cafes and eateries, the Adelaide Central Market remains Adelaide’s premier food destination for multicultural cuisine and fresh produce. conveniently located in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, it’s open every Tuesday to Saturday.

Gilles at the Grounds

Heralded as Adelaide’s original fashion and design marketplace, Gilles has provided a platform for emerging and established designers to showcase their work, whilst also encouraging an ethical environment for pre-loved/vintage sellers. Next door to the Adelaide Farmer's Markets within the historic Adelaide Showgrounds, you’ll find hip young fashion designers, vintage chic and boho cool plus delicious food to steel your energy for shopping –and it’s also dog friendly.

The markets aren’t held every weekend so check their website for dates.

Perth

Fremantle markets

With over 150 stalls under the one roof and steeped in Fremantle’s rich indigenous, maritime, convict, colonial and migrant history, the Market is one of the most visited places in WA.

Take in the sounds of busking musicians while you wander through colourful aisles of artisan products such as jewellery, leather, accessories, clothing, photography, paintings, home-wares and souvenirs. 

There’s also a delicious array of fresh local produce, organic foods and independent eateries on offer, from authentic international dishes to the more traditional Aussie outback tucker. Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 8.00am – 6.00pm.

Freemantle market with stalls of fruit and people shopping

Perth Upmarket

Perth Upmarket is Perth’s premier quarterly design market with over 180 small businesses showcasing their wares at the beautiful University of Western Australia. Each Upmarket event including artists, stylists, craftsmen and gourmets, resulting in a diverse product mix featuring clothing, cupcakes, artworks, homewares, jewellery, skin care, gourmet food and paperwares. Check their website for upcoming dates.

Darwin

Mindil Beach Sunset Market 

Mindil Beach Sunset Market is the heart of Darwin's cultural melting pot and truly epitomises the multicultural nature of the city. Darwin's largest market running along the foreshore of Mindil Beach is famous for its stunning sunsets over the Timor Sea.

Bursting with life from every corner, the Market features an array of amazing local and travelling live musicians, street performers, dance groups and buskers from all walks of life and performing arts genres. The combination of amazing food, arts and culture, set to the backdrop of the spectacular sunset, creates an electric atmosphere not to be missed. Open from the Last Thursday in April to the last Thursday in October, it operates every Thursday to Sunday, 4pm – 9pm.

Parap Village Markets

Offering the finest tropical flavours and true Territory atmosphere, the Parap Village Markets has the highest percentage of Territory made products of all the Darwin markets.

Browse the diverse range of fresh, local produce and discover a collection of Territory crafts including clothing, jewellery and gems, artworks, beauty products, specialist crafts, plants and cut flowers, massage, tarot and much more. Every Saturday 8am – 2pm (rain or shine) all year round.

People at Darwin market sitting and standing facing gazebos with bands playing

Brisbane

Brisbane City Markets

South-East Queensland enjoys some of the freshest seasonal produce in Australia, and Brisbane City Markets purpose is to deliver this direct to you. Offering a premium selection of farm-direct produce, premium local meats, artisan goods, trawler-direct seafood, authentic baked breads, gourmet food and provisions to the middle of Brisbane's iconic CBD. 

The markets are held Every Wednesday, 8am - 6pm at Reddacliff Place, and every Thursday, 8am - 2pm at Cathedral Square. 

Mt Gravatt Sunday Markets

Bringing together local farmers, vendors, buskers and families in one place, the Mt Gravatt Sunday Markets is about creating a real community where everyone is welcome. If you’re a market goer, you’ll love this one. They have a staggering amount of fresh produce, plenty of food stalls for breakfast/brunch and an excellent second-hand clothing section. And lots of plants! Every Sunday from 6am to 12pm.  

Interested in travelling to one of Australia's beautiful capital cities? Check out our house sitting opportunities here.

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