Sydney's market culture is a thriving economy, and on any weekend anywhere in Sydney you'll find handmade, organic, secondhand, antique, art and flea markets set up in the local primary school or church grounds. They are a true smorgasbord of delights, and you'll find something, somewhere to suit your taste, your fancy and your budget.
The Inner West has more than its fair share of markets, and the largest of them is the
Glebe Markets at Glebe Public School, at the corner of Derby Place and Glebe Point Road.
Open from 10am – 4pm, you will find a bewildering array of stalls selling everything from antique silverware to handmade hats, home-cooked food to original designer clothes. Don't torture yourself by going just for a browse – you will almost certainly find something original that probably won't be there a week later.
Most of the stallholders only take cash, so go with a nicely filled out wallet and spoil yourself. The stalls at Glebe are arranged around the perimeter of the grassed school playground and there's usually a band playing, so set aside plenty of time to relax on the lawn and really savour the experience.
Always something unusual at the markets
The
Orange Grove Organic Markets are on the corner of Balmain Road and Perry Street, Lilyfield and are a must for serious market shoppers, but you have to get in early because they open at 8am and close at 1pm.
This market is a foodie heaven, a showcase for some of the best produce in the State. There are hand made cheeses from the south east dairy regions, olives and nuts from Mudgee, free range eggs, gourmet meats, homebaked and mouthwatering pies, breads, cakes and pastries. There's fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, plants, designer and vintage clothing, hardware and gardening materials. Arrive hungry and sample everything.
Rozelle Markets at Rozelle Public School on Darling Street are an institution. Open Saturday and Sunday, 9-4pm, this is a true flea market, where you can expect anything and still be surprised. Saturday's feature more regular stallholders and a little less secondhand clothing – not that you'd notice.
There are so many secondhand and vintage clothes for sale you could refurbish your wardrobe every weekend. As well, there's everything you'd expect to find at a flea market, furniture, bric-a-brac, food, clothing, toys, music, pictures and paintings, old newspapers, collectible comics.
Every week is different so it's worth more than one visit and there's always great local live music, delicious international food, freshly squeezed fruit juices and great coffee.
Nothing beats hand-made, original and fresh
Further down Darling Street is one of Sydney's longest running markets, the
Balmain Art market in the grounds of the Congregational Church.
Open Saturday 9-4pm, you'll discover some talented artists displaying their paintings, and craftspeople selling beautiful jewelry, sculptures, clothing and homewares. The food here is really worth trying – exotic, international fare, fresh and delicious.
Marrickville Markets on Addison Road have a bohemian atmosphere. You can release your inner hippy and feel quite at home here.
Open from 9-2pm Sundays, these markets specialise in organic food and produce, and some of the best vintage clothing and collectibles. There's a delightful wild area where the children can run free and your dog is welcome as well.
There are dozens of markets across the Sydney region, from the Rocks and Chinatown, to Paddington, South Sydney and the suburbs. They offer a serious alternative to shopping centres as well as a memorable experience to be savoured. Rather than hurrying to get the shopping chores over and done with, Sydney's markets allow you to linger and enjoy the experience
