Lakeside Markets
On the second and fourth Saturday of each month, there is a
farmer's market held at Lake Wendouree. The market occupies a small stretch of the lake, and is quiet especially on those cold wintery Ballarat days. Nevertheless, it's a pleasant place to visit on a Saturday morning.
For fresh fruits and vegetables, there are two or three general fruit and vegetable stalls. The market is a great place to buy sweet juicy persimmons when they're in season. Our most interesting find was carrots which came in three colours (purple, orange, or white). There are some specialised stores which sell gourmet "perfect-looking" tomatoes, eggplants and mushrooms. Other food stores at the market include special olive oils and seasonings, handmade pasta and sauce, cheese and wine with free tasting.
Looking for brunch or just a small snack? There is an interesting range from Chinese yum cha to Indian samosas and Turkish gozleme. Several bakeries also sell a range of sweet and savoury and sweet breads. For dessert, you could try a truffle (with free sampling), or have a cupcake.
A tip for shoppers - according to the website, the market is plastic bag free so remember to bring your own shopping bags. Some days there will be live music playing in the background whilst you shop. The stalls present vary from week to week, but a full list of stores are available
online. You can also browse
a list of other markets in Ballarat and surrounds.
