Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is well-known for its gorgeous landmarks and cultural attractions. The city has many shopping opportunities, from sophisticated malls to stylish shops. Canberra’s weekend markets, on the other hand, are a must-see for visitors looking for a distinctive and original shopping experience.
Visitors can discover locally handcrafted items, fresh produce, cuisine, and drinks while immersing themselves in the lively ambience of the city’s various communities at these markets. Canberra’s weekend markets are an excellent way to spend a leisurely day in the town, with multiple markets to pick from, each with its distinct character and offer.
Which Market Are You Planning to Visit?
Walking through Canberra’s markets reveals that everyone enjoys a market – a place to grab a bargain, purchase veggies directly from the producer, locate pre-loved gifts for the youngsters, or buy cheap flowers for the yard. Markets are an essential aspect of the surrounding area and a fantastic location to meet your peers and support the local farmers while also picking up fresh vegetables.
It is essential to check Canberra’s weekend markets’ websites and Facebook pages of Canberra’s weekend markets before heading out to avoid any inconvenience due to cancellations caused by inclement weather or public holidays.
With various outdoor and indoor needs occurring every weekend in Canberra, there is always an opportunity to shop and support the local community. So why plan a visit to one or more of these markets discussed below and grab some fantastic bargains while enjoying the unique and vibrant atmosphere?
Around the City
Haigh Park Village Markets
This market is located on the gorgeous banks of Lake Burley Griffin near Queen Elizabeth Terrace, with a brand-new food and crafts market. This market, open every Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, is a great way to support regional suppliers. This market is ideal for a relaxing weekend stroll because it is close to plenty of parking and has a lovely setting.
Visitors may anticipate a variety of merchants selling fresh vegetables, artisanal baked products, handcrafted crafts, and one-of-a-kind items at this market. This market provides something for everyone, whether seeking a delectable breakfast or lunch or shopping for one-of-a-kind things.
Also, visitors may take breathtaking views of Lake Burley Griffin and the adjacent parklands while perusing the booths. So why take advantage of a pleasant day out while helping your neighbourhood?
Haigh Park Village Markets
This market operates every Sunday from 8:30 am to 2 pm. It provides customers with various organic and gourmet items originating from the local area. The laid-back Sunday atmosphere is enhanced by live music, making it the ideal weekend pastime.
In addition to food vendors, the Haigh Park Village Markets provide a range of handmade goods such as crafts, jewellery, and clothing. Due to a focus on supporting local craftsmen and small businesses, visitors may find unique items while shopping at local shops. A market is a fun activity for kids and adults, with lots of room to spread out and unwind. Profit from this exciting and colourful market experience!
The Old Bus Depot Market
Canberra’s Old Bus Depot markets include handicrafts, food, apparel, and antique stalls. These may be the most well-known markets in Canberra. There are well-known food staples, such as mulled wine or orange juice from bagels from Bread Nerds, Jo’s Juice, fudge from The Fudge People, and other regional treats like Krofne sell baked goods and delicatessen items, and Hungry Brown Cows, which makes delicious cookies.
Every Sunday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, the Old Bus Depot in Kingston, Canberra, hosts the Old Bus Depot Markets. With more than 200 stalls selling handmade crafts, jewellery, gourmet foods, apparel, and a wide variety of delectable meals, this market is regarded as one of the largest and most popular in the area. In addition, the talented buskers’ musical talent enhances the market’s lively atmosphere.
The historic Kingston Bus Station building hosts these markets, which have been running since 1994. There are more than 200 stalls at the markets, where various handcrafted items are sold, including jewellery, apparel, household products, crafts, and artwork. With live music performances, visitors may also eat and drink at various stands.
North Side of Canberra
Capital Region MarketĀ
This market is well-known and popular about 6 km north of the Downtown. The market, open every Saturday from 7 am to 11:30 am, has more than 100 vendors that sell a variety of delectable pies, sausage rolls, pastries, and fresh fruit picked straight from the producers.
Visit this for a unique shopping experience in Canberra. Their wide choice of goods is unmatched, with over 130 registered stallholders from Canberra and the surrounding areas. Dog snacks, smoked meats, shellfish, and chocolate are all available there.
There is a wide selection of premium goods accessible to consumers, including well-known vendors offering fresh fish, fruit, meat, and vegetables and frozen pies you can take home. The Capital Area Farmers Market is a fantastic place to meet local farmers and producers and give back to the community.
Rotary Treasure and Trash MarketĀ
This market is located about 7 km north of the City. The cost of admission is simply one gold cent, and it is held every Sunday from 7 am to 12 pm at the parking lot of the Jamison Centre in Macquarie. The largest garage sale in Canberra has a wide range of used goods, including furniture, tools, fresh food (plants, fruits, veggies), toys, and clothing.
While there’s something for all ages in this market, visitors are advised to bring cash and go on a treasure search. The Rotary Trash and Treasure Market is a fantastic place to locate unique products, assist the neighbourhood, and enjoy the lively ambience of the occasion.
Hartley Hall MarketsĀ
These markets, which have been around since 1987 and are located 30 minutes outside the city, still contain some original stallholders. Baked products, smoked meats, metal art, apparel, and accessories are all sold at the booths. Enjoy live entertainment for kids, unique shopping, and live music!
You should know that admittance requires a gold coin donation, with all earnings going to Hartley Lifecare. This community organisation helps people in the ACT with physical and complex impairments find housing and offers respite care.
These markets are held in the Hall Fairgrounds, about 15 kilometres north of the Downtown, on the first Sunday of every month from 10 am to 3 pm. This market provides customers with a sense of rural hospitality and is well-known for its home-grown, hand-made, home-produced products, live music, food, and kid’s entertainment.
Gold coin donations are required to enter the market, and all earnings go towards Hartley Lifecare’s activities and services for people with disabilities. These markets are a fantastic opportunity to spend a Sunday with loved ones, shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted things, and help a good cause.
Farmers and Foodies Market
This market concentrates on having a market where people can simply come in and shop for food after work or get a drink and browse their needs before heading to the beachfront and grabbing dinner.
Enjoy delectable cuisines, such as gyoza, pizza, meze platters, and more, while perusing various vegetables. Get your essentials here, with abundant fresh fruits, veggies, bread, and items from some of our favourite local businesses, such as Underground Spirits, The Canberra Distillery, and Cannoli Brothers.
South Side of Canberra
Southside Farmers Market
This market, hosted each Sunday at the Canberra College in Phillip, sells fresh items grown or acquired locally, including cheeses, fruits, meats, vegetables, and baked goods. Visitors may also take in live music performances at the market, which has various food and beverage sellers.
The best part of visiting this farmers’ market is interacting with the vendors and learning that the food is locally sourced and fresh. There is a significant demand for fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, bread and pastries, vegetable seedlings, fish, oysters and other things. Stroll the marketplaces with a slice of pizza or a glass of freshly squeezed juice!
Handmade Markets
These markets, which debuted in 2008, have drawn over 30,000 visitors and are home to over 250 local and out-of-state vendors. All vendors at the needs make their things in Australia, making it a fantastic location to buy distinctive, artisanal goods while supporting regional and national small companies.
The Handmade Markets, which are well-known around the country, are packed with apparel, jewellery, home goods, and other items.
Other Market Alternatives
Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets
This is the biggest food market in Canberra, with a wide variety of fresh vegetables, delicate meats, seafood, deli foods, and baked goods. The market is situated in Fyshwick, a short drive from the city centre, and it is open every day but Monday.
Canberra Glassworks Markets
These markets, held every three months at the Canberra Glassworks in Kingston, provide a distinctive collection of handcrafted jewellery, glass art, and other items manufactured by regional glass artisans. Visitors may participate in classes, see live glassblowing demos, and eat and drink from regional vendors.
Tuggeranong Homestead Markets
These marketplaces are hosted at the historic Tuggeranong Homestead in Greenway on the fourth Sunday of each month. Crafts, jewellery, artwork, fresh vegetables, and gourmet foods and beverages are just a few handmade items sold at the markets. Along with viewing live music performances, visitors may tour the historic homestead.
Bottom Line
Canberra, Australia’s capital city, offers visitors diverse weekend markets with distinct characters and offerings. These markets provide a unique and original shopping experience for visitors. They can discover locally handcrafted items, fresh produce, cuisine, and drinks while immersing themselves in the lively ambience of the city’s various communities.
Some popular weekend markets in Canberra include the Haigh Park Village Markets, the Old Bus Depot Markets, Capital Region Farmers Market, and the Rotary Trash and Treasure Market.
It is essential to check these markets’ Facebook and website platforms before heading out to avoid any inconvenience due to cancellations caused by inclement weather or public holidays. Overall, Canberra’s weekend markets offer a fun and exciting way to spend a leisurely day in the city, with plenty of sights, sounds, and flavours.