A selection of Brisbane's markets
June 16th 2008 10:01
Some weekends, when I am feeling particularly virtuous/inspired/community-m inded I like to drag myself out of bed at a cold, ridiculous hour of the morning and wander around one of the weekend markets you can find around Brisbane. Occasionally I my course deviates and I visit one of the markets at the Gold Coast, usually the Carrara Markets but mostly I stick to those found on the south side of Brisbane.
Brisbane Markets at Rocklea
Rocklea hosts the Brisbane Markets on Sherwood Road; the Sunday Market, the Saturday Fresh Market, the Produce Market during the weekdays, and the Flower Market, which is open seven days.
Normally, I go to the Sunday Market just for the experience of looking through thousands of second-hand items and hoping to find a treasure. One day I'll find the perfect dish, a rare video game, or vintage sheet music!! The Saturday Markets aren't such a predatory expedition because there's absolutely tons of fruit, veges, and plants to go round. Much much cheaper and more fun than an after-work trip to the supermarket (or the stupormarket, as I prefer to call it).
Woodridge Station Markets
Because Woodridge is on the way to Rochdale where I spent most Saturdays renovating a house I sometimes stop in at the weekend markets there. Smaller than the Rocklea markets but with just as much variability the Woodridge Station markets have fruit, veges, organic foods, furniture, second-hand goods, and lots of stuff that's just plain JUNK. Good fun though.
South Bank Lifestyle Markets
I've saved the best for last place on my short list - the South Bank Lifestyle Markets. These are just as much a tourist attraction as a place to shop on the weekend. For me, going here is a real treat - I love the riverside atmosphere, the bougainvilleas that grow over the paths, the white tents, the crazy art, intriguing puzzles (I swear I once found a wooden puzzle that no-one I know has EVER solved), gourmet smells, and the happy happy people. And I adore the young designer days that are held every three months or so!! The markets at South Bank are open Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday.
Does anyone know other markets in Brisbane that I could visit? I'm mostly interested in ones that have organic/gourmet food stalls, a variety of second-hand goods, and are on the south side or close to the CBD.
UPDATE
From Cam's comment (see the comment section below) I've added three more weekend markets to the list:
Northey Street Organic Grower's Market
At Northey Street in Windsor every Sunday (6a.m. to 10.30a.m. so you need to be a real early bird!) is this lovely sounding market. They have organic produce, herbs, breads, meat, dairy, dry goods, and preserves plus stalls selling coffees and snacks for hungry market-goers. I have a feeling I should go shopping here on a empty stomach - to make sure I buy lots and lots and so I can justify stopping every 15minutes to eat yummy things!
Jan Power's Farmers Markets
Oh dear... How did I leave these off my original post? I feel a bit silly... Anyway, there are three of these growers' markets now, one at Blackwood Street in Michelton, one at the Powerhouse in New Farm, and a newer one in Manly - on the Esplanade. Being in Manly by the sea on a cool Saturday morning with a hot coffee and fresh bread sounds perfect. They're not held every weekend so check their website for the dates to be sure.
The Green Flea Community Market
On the corner of Montague and Jane Street in West End every Saturday morning with a variety of edible goodies, flowers and herbs, second-hand goods and clothing, and buskers and massages. Ohh and they have French food - as a bit of a Francophile I am very enticed by that. The Green Flea Community Market sounds like a very cheerful way to start the weekend does it not?
Brisbane Markets at Rocklea
Rocklea hosts the Brisbane Markets on Sherwood Road; the Sunday Market, the Saturday Fresh Market, the Produce Market during the weekdays, and the Flower Market, which is open seven days.
Normally, I go to the Sunday Market just for the experience of looking through thousands of second-hand items and hoping to find a treasure. One day I'll find the perfect dish, a rare video game, or vintage sheet music!! The Saturday Markets aren't such a predatory expedition because there's absolutely tons of fruit, veges, and plants to go round. Much much cheaper and more fun than an after-work trip to the supermarket (or the stupormarket, as I prefer to call it).
Woodridge Station Markets
Because Woodridge is on the way to Rochdale where I spent most Saturdays renovating a house I sometimes stop in at the weekend markets there. Smaller than the Rocklea markets but with just as much variability the Woodridge Station markets have fruit, veges, organic foods, furniture, second-hand goods, and lots of stuff that's just plain JUNK. Good fun though.
South Bank Lifestyle Markets
I've saved the best for last place on my short list - the South Bank Lifestyle Markets. These are just as much a tourist attraction as a place to shop on the weekend. For me, going here is a real treat - I love the riverside atmosphere, the bougainvilleas that grow over the paths, the white tents, the crazy art, intriguing puzzles (I swear I once found a wooden puzzle that no-one I know has EVER solved), gourmet smells, and the happy happy people. And I adore the young designer days that are held every three months or so!! The markets at South Bank are open Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday.
Does anyone know other markets in Brisbane that I could visit? I'm mostly interested in ones that have organic/gourmet food stalls, a variety of second-hand goods, and are on the south side or close to the CBD.
UPDATE
From Cam's comment (see the comment section below) I've added three more weekend markets to the list:
Northey Street Organic Grower's Market
At Northey Street in Windsor every Sunday (6a.m. to 10.30a.m. so you need to be a real early bird!) is this lovely sounding market. They have organic produce, herbs, breads, meat, dairy, dry goods, and preserves plus stalls selling coffees and snacks for hungry market-goers. I have a feeling I should go shopping here on a empty stomach - to make sure I buy lots and lots and so I can justify stopping every 15minutes to eat yummy things!
Jan Power's Farmers Markets
Oh dear... How did I leave these off my original post? I feel a bit silly... Anyway, there are three of these growers' markets now, one at Blackwood Street in Michelton, one at the Powerhouse in New Farm, and a newer one in Manly - on the Esplanade. Being in Manly by the sea on a cool Saturday morning with a hot coffee and fresh bread sounds perfect. They're not held every weekend so check their website for the dates to be sure.
The Green Flea Community Market
On the corner of Montague and Jane Street in West End every Saturday morning with a variety of edible goodies, flowers and herbs, second-hand goods and clothing, and buskers and massages. Ohh and they have French food - as a bit of a Francophile I am very enticed by that. The Green Flea Community Market sounds like a very cheerful way to start the weekend does it not?
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Comment by Cam
There's a fantastic selection including meat, dairy, all kinds of fruit, vegetables and herbs, dry goods, jams and stalls selling coffee and snacks. It's heaven.
There's also Jan Power's farmers' markets at New Farm: Really Long Link held twice a month. These are much bigger than Northey St and sometimes crazy, but there's a lot of quality produce.
Another favourite is the Green Flea markets at West End held in Davies Park on Saturday mornings. There is a wide range of produce including organic, flowers, crafty bits and some junk.
Those are my three picks for Brisbane markets. Haven't really tried anywhere else.
Comment by Sasha
Life in Brisbane
IIRC you're the same Cam (with Sam from the Public Polity blog?) who's commented on my other blog (www.tempyra.com)?? How're you going?!
Thank you for the ideas
Sasha
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Comment by Cam
Comment by Sasha
Life in Brisbane
I received an email from someone called Charles about getting a domain for this blog - I replied and said yes, I'd like one. That was a week ago, haven't heard anything back yet though.
Sasha