How to Get the Best of the Markets

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[SECTION]How to get the best of the markets[/SECTION]

Brisbanites loves markets and don't mind travelling across town to get to some of the biggest and most interesting ones . Let's look at what we like about markets and where to find it.



We have already looked at some of the best markets for food . But there are many other reasons to seek out a particular market. If you have any other suggestions for markets, please add them to the comments.

[SECTION]Cheap vegetables[/SECTION]

Living on the north side of Brisbane, markets can be a little frustrating because they rarely have the really cheap vegetables that many markets have. Though often I can pickup cheap avocados in just about any market in Brisbane.



The Brisbane Markets , which everyones calls the Rocklea Markets because it is held in Rocklea, is on every Saturday morning. It is also the place to go for fresh fruit and vegetables at the best price.

One of the cheapest markets in Brisbane is the Woodridge Train Station markets held on Sunday Mornings. This market is nothing but stall after stall of cheap vegetables and nearly every visitor leaves burdened down by bags full of vegetables. The main problem is the lack of variety.



My preferred place to shop for fruit and vegetables is the Wednesday City Markets . If I can get out of the office on time or have enough time at lunch, I can usually buy all my vegetables for the week in one go. Because I am usually arriving after 5 pm, everything is on special and I just grab bags of vegetables that usually come to 1 or 2 dollars for a big bag.



[SECTION]Organic products[/SECTION]

I know a lot of people go to markets in search of organic produce, mainly because the quality greatly exceeds that of organic shops. The obvious market that stands out for organic products is the Northey Street City Farm Markets early Sunday morning at Windsor (6 am to 11 am). This is the place to go for buying organic and locally produced products. In fact, many of the produce on sale are grown at the site itself.



Another notable market for organic products is the North Lakes Market in North Lakes every Sunday from 6:30 am to 11:00 am. Founded on the philosophy that natural is best, they sell a range of organic produce and products. As they are a small market, their selection is not the best, but it is still a great effort for a new market in a suburban location.



Another market that stands out for me for organic produce is the
Davies Park Markets in West End on Saturdays from 6 am to 2 pm. This very lively market usually has several stalls selling organic produce, along with other stalls selling pretty much organic everything. This is also the market to visit for those who like to sleep in on weekends.



[SECTION]Handmade and local products[/SECTION]

Markets in Brisbane are a big supporter of handmade and local products. Nearly every market has some of these types of products. The South Bank Collective Markets is already well known by both tourists and locals alike and runs Friday night, day and night on Saturday and all day Sunday. However, this is not my favourite market for local products.

One of the most interesting markets for homemade and local products with a touristy bent is the Eagle Street Markets open at Eagle Street Pier for the whole of Sunday. They have some amazing and creative products. I tend to visit this market for two reasons. This is the place I go every time I need a new wallet as there is a stallholder who sells high quality buffalo hide products, but given the quality of his wallets I don't have to visit there very often. The other reason is when I am doing a riverside walk on a Sunday and stop in to browse.



For jewellery nothing beats the Boundary Street Markets in West End on Friday night, Saturday during the day and night and now Sunday during the day. Normally we stop here for food or entertainment, but when visiting with female friends, few leave without some new jewellery. There are a wide range of other products there as well and it is worth stopping into these markets on the weekend.



One other little market I might mention is the Manly Creative Markets . Open every Sunday through to 3 pm in the Bayside Park in Manly, this market has a great atmosphere and lots of genuine homemade products. Often the products lack the quality of other markets because they have a true homemade feel.



[SECTION]Cheap products[/SECTION]

Most markets in Brisbane have a rule, products either have to be handmade or second hand. Though for handmade products, the main thing is that they have to appear to be handmade. This means that you often don't get those cheap little knick-knacks that you can't buy anywhere else except at markets.

The best market for cheap products is the Carrara Markets on the Gold Coast. If you don't want to travel that far the Fortitude Valley Markets that run all day Saturday and Sunday is a reasonable substitute for some cool cheap stuff.



A surprising market for cheap imported items in actually the Eagle Farm Markets in Ascot on Sundays from 7 am to 12: 30 pm. Despite the $2 entry fee to enter the markets have a very wide range of products.



Another market for finding a good deal is the Sunday Discovery Markets in Rocklea on Sunday mornings.

[SECTION]Second Hand[/SECTION]

There are several markets that let you sell off your second hand products. One of the most notable is the Suitcase Rummage in Brisbane Square (the place in front of the casino). The market is held from midday to late afternoon on the first and third Sunday of the month. All you need to do is turn up with your suitcase of products, a blanket to lay your things out on and the $25 fee. I would also recommend bringing a small chair to sit on. Products have to be handmade or secondhand, though you can get away with having some more commercial products in your suitcase as well.



Car boot sales are another great way to make some money from items you have lying around in your garage. If you live on the South Side of Brisbane, you might consider heading down to the Cararra Markets on the first and third Sunday of every month for their car boot sale.



Most other car boot sales are irregular or annual events such as Silk Oaks monthly car boot sale that is held on the fourth Saturday of each month in Manly.

[SECTION]Best market for kids[/SECTION]

Dragging your kids to the shops on a weekend is not always easy, but when they are taken them some of the most kid friendly markets in Brisbane you have plenty of opportunities to keep them entertained.



The Eagle Farm Markets has to be one of the best for this. The have a jumping castle, face painting, mini-racers, interactive playground and many other great activities for kids. All this happens on the grass around the racecourse, giving your kids plenty of space to run and play.

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