No day trip from the city is complete without popping into the local country markets. But if you find yourself on a spontaneous day-trip, more often than not, you will only see a sign telling you there is a market ... next weekend. That's because most country markets only run once a month. The Dapto Markets are an exception to this rule. They run rain, hail, or shine every Sunday so keep Dapto in mind for your next South Coast day-trip or weekend escape.
Image courtesy Dapto Markets Facebook page
Dapto is usually a town you would skirt around en route to a coastal location unless you had an interest in greyhound racing, for which the town is most well known. The market is nestled around the greyhound track, although the location is officially called the Dapto Showground. The Dapto Markets have grown throughout the years to become a large and bustling market.
If you like a car boot sale then you will be in your element with this market. It operates in a similar way to a car boot sale; stallholders turn up without a booking and are charged by their vehicle size. Locals are encouraged to use the market to help with spring cleaning, and at $28 for a sedan full of items, it is much cheaper than a trip to the tip even if they give away everything. If you happen to find such a stallholder, you could walk away with some bargains.
Not all stallholders are attempting to clear out their houses. Seasoned market vendors are there as well selling both new and second-hand items. But only expect a sprinkling of stalls offering new products, the market is primarily a second-hand one. On the day of our visit, we saw new product stalls selling home-baked treats, t-shirts, pets, clothing and plants. Second-hand stalls that weren't of the car boot variety offered tools, gaming consoles, games, DVDs, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and antiques.
Image courtesy Dapto Markets Facebook page
The Dapto Market runs from 7am - 1pm every Sunday. There is a $1 entrance fee per adult and there are two entrances to the markets - one off Moomburra street opposite the shopping centre, and one from Mulda street.
With the shopping centre so close, you can visit the markets and stock up on road-trip essentials for the next leg of your trip.
Image courtesy Dapto Markets Facebook page
The organisers of the Dapto Markets also run a similar market in close-by Warrawong on Saturdays. So no matter when you find yourself down the South Coast on a weekend, you can get your country market fix!
