When you walk around Canberra's markets, it is clear that everybody loves a market - a place to find a bargain, buy vegetables straight from the grower, find pre-loved toys for the kids or cheap plants for the garden. As part of the community, local markets are a great place to meet your neighbours and support local charities with a sausage sizzle or gold coin donation - whilst bagging a bargain at the same time. Here is a list of
all of Canberra's markets in the city, north and south. Where will you be shopping this weekend?
CLOSE TO THE CITY
THE OLD BUS DEPOT MARKETSThis list wouldn't be complete without one of the biggest and most popular
markets in Canberra - with over 200 stalls set to the backdrop of talented buskers and musicians. These markets take over two levels of the Old Bus Depot in Kingston every
Sunday. Stallholders sell everything from handmade crafts, gourmet foods, jewellery, clothing and a variety of delicious food to try in their multicultural food hall. These large markets also have theme days such as
Vintage and Retro, Creative Fibre, Celebration of Wool and other events throughout the year. Enjoy this market with hundreds of Canberran locals who flock to these markets each Sunday - don't forget your recycle bags! After the markets, why not visit the
Kingston Foreshore for a coffee, the
Canberra Glassworks or have a burger at
Brodburger - which are all within walking distance of these popular markets.
Old Bus Depot Markets is open every Sunday 10am - 4pm.
Address: 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston.
See here for their website.
Source: Old Bus Depot Markets Facebook.
NORTH SIDE OF CANBERRA
CAPITAL REGION FARMERS MARKET (6km north of CBD)This popular farmers market is held every
Saturday at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC). It has over 100 stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the grower, local gourmet foods and a range of delicious pies, sausage rolls and pastries to eat while you are walking around. You need to get up with the rooster for this market, as it runs between 7:30am - 11:30am, with most of Canberra getting there around opening time for the best choice. Popular stalls include fresh seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables and frozen pies to take home. See
here for a full article on the Capital Region Farmers Market.
Capital Region Farmers Market is open Saturdays 7am - 11:30am.
Address: Exhibition Park in Canberra, Corner of Flemington road and Northbourne avenue, Lyneham.
See here for their website.
Pick up your fresh fruit and vegetables at the biggest farmers market in Canberra - the Capital Region Farmers Market.
This popular market is organised by the Belconnen Rotary and has been running for over 40 years each
Sunday, in the car park of the Jamison Centre in Macquarie. It is gold coin entry to get in and it is easily Canberra's biggest garage sale - with second hand clothes, toys and tools, as well as plants, fruit, vegetables and everything you would ever need for your house and home. Take your cash and find yourself a bargain! See
here for a full article on the Trash and Treasure Markets.
Rotary Trash and Treasure Market is open every Sunday 7am - 12pm (check their website for any changes).
Address: Jamison Centre Car park, Bowman street, Macquarie
See here for their website.
Bag a bargain at the Trash and Treasure Markets, Jamison Centre car park
HARTLEY HALL MARKETS (15km north of CBD)
This
monthly market is located in the northern region of Hall and is one of the largest "hand-made, home-grown, home-produced" market in Australia, with up to 300 stalls. The markets are run by Hartley Lifecare and other volunteers, with a gold coin donation on entry. Enjoy live music, food, kid's entertainment and country hospitality.
Hartley Hall markets are open the first Sunday of each month (excluding January) from 10am - 3pm.
Address: Hall showground, Victoria street, Hall
See here for their website.
Source: Hartley Hall Market Facebook
You need to get up early for this busy market in Phillip, as locals flock here
Sunday mornings to get their fruit and vegetables for the week. The best part about a farmers market is meeting the grower and knowing that the food is local, fresh and of high quality. The market is open between 8am - 11:30am, with thousands of people visiting this market weekly for their fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, bakery items, fish from the coast, oysters, vegetable seedlings and more. Walk the markets with a hot pie, slice of pizza or a freshly squeezed juice. See
here for a full article on the Southside Farmers Market.
Southside Farmers Market is on every Sunday morning 8am - 11:30am.
Address: Canberra College, Corner of Launceston Street and Yamba Drive, Phillip.
See here for their website.
Just one busy section of the Southside Farmers Market, at Canberra College in Phillip
Whilst these markets are held regularly, also look for signs on the side of the road for school fetes, fairs and markets all throughout the year. The EPIC (Exhibition park in Canberra) also holds travelling Craft Fairs, Christmas Markets, House and Garden Expos and a range of other weekend events - check their
events page to see what is happening this weekend.
Although not held on a weekly basis, there are also several other large markets held in various locations around the city throughout the year. Check out the
The Forage (held once a season, as well as other pop up events in the year), the
Handmade Market (held over a weekend, four times a year) and the markets held by
Canberra Markets.
Be part of the fun at the Handmade Markets, Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC). Image: Handmade Market Facebook
Before you begin your market shopping adventure, check the website and Facebook pages before you go in case the market day clashes with a public holiday, or the weather forecast has cancelled an outdoor market. With such a wide range of markets held each weekend, both indoor and outdoor, there is always somewhere to shop each weekend in Canberra.
So why not get out there this weekend and support your local community - you are sure to bag a bargain...or few!
Photo taken at the Lions Woden Market, held every Sunday morning
