Everybody loves going to a market! Whether it is a farmer’s market, a handmade market, or a second hand goods market; there is something for everyone. Both Shane and I have been to our fair share of markets. We have explored the items, checked out the venues and tasted the many wonderful things you come across. Not only have we been to see them, we have also participated and been a stall holder at multiple markets across the Hunter area! So what better way to share our experiences and review them for you, as a must see markets in the Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding areas post! It’s time to introduce you to what the areas have to offer.
Depending on your interests and what you are after will depend on the market you want to go to.
So let’s start with Farmer’s Markets –
Farmer’s markets are full of fresh fruits, vegetables, jams, honey, spreads, biscuits, cakes, sweets, dairy products, meat, wine and more! They include products like soap, creams, candles and lotions. They are where you want to be if you want the freshest produce and locally produced food and drinks from the farmer’s and artisans directly.
Newcastle City Farmer’s Market –
Where – Newcastle Showground, Curley Rd, Broadmeadow NSW
When – Every Sunday 7am-1pm
The Newcastle Farmer’s markets are the biggest market of its kind in the area. They cover the showground and have plenty of options for parking; on site and street parking available. Extremely convenient being on every week so you can get to know the locals and keep returning! If you are a foodie, not only can you get all your fresh fruit, veggies and meat, but you also get to taste so many different cuisines. There is your standard take away options like hot chips, burgers and hot dogs, but then there is pancakes, waffles, fresh juices and more! It is a great, big all rounded market where you can find all your fresh needs.
Pro’s –
- Regularly on
- Lots of variety
- Meet the farmer
- Plenty of food options for breakfast and lunch
- Plenty of fresh produce
Con’s –
- Parking – street parking and can be quite difficult and a bit of a walk.
Lake Macquarie Famer’s Market –
Where – Speers Point Park
When – Every second and fourth Saturday of the month 7.30am-1pm
The Lake Macquarie Farmer’s market is located in Speers Point Park. It is no where near as big as the Newcastle Farmer’s market, however still has some nice local stalls featuring fruit, veggies, and other locally produced goods. Being on regularly, it is a great chance to go out in the morning, walk along the lake and pick up all your fresh produce on the way back to the car. Be careful though, some items can sell out very quick, so it could be best to get in early!
Pro’s –
- Nice area. A good spot for a stroll on the water after looking at the markets, and a park for the kids to play.
- Plenty of parking
- Good variety
- Regularly On
Con’s –
- Quite small, only a few stall holders
- Being such a beautiful area, and having lots of space, could definitely have many more stallholders
Handmade Market’s –
Handmade markets are our specialty. They are where Shane and I attend as stallholders wherever possible. The markets are full of handmade items, gifts, clothing, jewellery, art and more, individually crafted by the stall holders themselves. There are locally produced foods and wines, cheeses and breads. If you are looking for something a little bit more unique and personal, this is where you want to be.
Handmade in the Hunter –
Where – Corner of Broke Rd and Halls Rd, Pokolbin
When – Every Saturday 9am-3pm, some Sundays during peak times
Handmade in the Hunter is located at Sobel’s Wine in Pokolbin. Right in the heart of the wineries, it is a beautiful spot and focuses on local handmade crafts, goods, foods, and drinks. While it is not a huge market, there are lots of things to see and do in the area so it can be included on a day trip to the Hunter Valley. When you arrive, the white gazebos catch your eyes, so it is easy to see from the road where they are. You start from one end and work your way through, exploring the candles that look like desserts, chili that burns your taste buds, and look at all the beautiful handcrafted items. Located close by are chocolate and cheese factories! My favourite.
Pro’s –
- Regularly On
- Stallholders are rotated so there is no duplicate stalls – lots of variety
- Beautiful location
- Everything is handmade! And you get to meet the maker as they are the stall holder
Con’s –
- Street parking – a little bit difficult when you have children especially. There is some off street parking, but not a great deal.
- Only approximately 30 stall holders, so quite a small market.
- Not many food stalls at the market itself, however lots of restaurants and cafes in the area for a meal.
Olive Tree Markets –
Where – Civic Park, Newcastle Corner of King and Darby Street
When – 1st Saturday of every month, 1st and 3rd Saturday during November and December, 9am-3pm
Olive tree markets is an art and design market. It features lots of talented local artists and creators selling their works. There is fashion, jewelry, home wares, travel accessories, food and more. It is in the heart of Newcastle, and is always full of people and buzzing with music and the smell of food. For an art market, it really is huge! We were quite surprised the first time we went with the amount of people milling around the stalls. Even the stalls themselves are set up with such style and it creates a beautiful mood to the market. Once you have done the rounds, there are lots of food vans with options for lunch. Alternatively, take a stroll down Darby Street where there are lots of cafes and restaurants. We have been multiple times now, and never get tired of going. There is always something new and exciting to see!
Pro’s –
- One of the biggest markets in the Hunter
- Very talented artists, selling amazing works – If you are looking for something unique and original, this is a good place to start
- Lots of food options for a meal at the markets, but also in the streets close by
- Locally produced goods where you can talk to the maker/creator
Con’s –
- Parking can be difficult, on street paid parking and not many close by car parks, so you may need to walk
- Very busy traffic in this area
Mixed Markets –
Then finally, there are what I am going to class as the mixed markets across the Hunter. They are the markets that can sell anything! Second hand goods, imported items, hand made bits and pieces, food, drinks and alcohol. We have attended these markets as both stall holders and just to browse. Almost anyone can find something interesting at these markets.
Maitland Markets –
Where – Maitland Showground
When – 1st Sunday every month, 1st and 3rd Sunday during Oct-Dec, 8am-2pm
Maitland markets are the biggest market of its kind in Newcastle. They cover the entire showground. Featuring a mix of handmade goods, second hand items, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, plants and more, they are a great choice for anybody looking for something in particular, or just for a browse. There are multiple entries to the market, so depending which one you enter will depend what you see first. One end is full of fresh produce,flowers and plants. The other is full of second hand items and antiques. There are the undercover stalls which are generally handmade items, and then there is everything else! They also have regular events like ‘Christmas in July’, ‘Father’s Day’, animal/zoo displays and more. For the kind of market it is, I never tire of going here. The stalls always vary and there is always something new to see.
Pros –
- Regularly On
- Huge market – plenty to see!
- Lots of takeaway food options for breakfast or lunch, as well as seating
- Lots of varierty
- On rain or shine
- Great place to grab a bargain
Con’s –
- Some stalls are very similar or carry similar goods
- Parking – the showground gets very busy, so street parking is generally the way to go and it can be quite difficult and a fair walk to get to the markets
Adamstown Markets –
Where – Corner of Brunker Rd and Glebe Rd, Adamstown
When – Every Sunday except public holidays and January 7am-12pm
Adamstown markets is regularly on, and has been running for a long time. It is mostly second hand goods, and antique items with a few local produce and plant stalls. It can also be described like a large ‘garage sale’. As it is primarily second hand goods, it can be a good place to pick up some bargains. There are a lot of stallholders that sell clothes and children’s toys. While it is still an interesting market to check out, we find that for us, it is something we can attend every couple of years and that is okay. There are larger markets in the area on regularly that we prefer to visit. For those that love a garage sale, you should check it out.
Pro’s –
- Regularly On
- Great place to grab second hand goods
Cons –
- While larger than some markets, it is still quite small
- While it is good to look, I find we can be in and out within 20 minutes, not something to do if you are planning on a nice day out!
- Not many food options
Warners Bay Markets –
Where – The Esplanade, Warners Bay
When – Third Saturday of every month 8am to 2pm
Warners Bay Markets is located on the waterfront in a beautiful location. The market is full of handmade items, locally produced goods, second hand items, fashion, jewellery and more. It is buzzing with people, music and food. There are lots of locally produced goods where you can meet the maker, and discuss how they got to where they are. For the ladies, there are so many unique stalls selling clothing and jewellery, and you can find some amazing bargains. We find parking is the biggest negative here. There is little street parking which is generally full and reverse angled. The alternative is parking behind the street front in a car park that is also always. Keep in mind you may need to walk a little to get to the stalls. Overall though, it is a great mixed market in a popular location that we never get tired of checking out.
Pro’s –
- Plenty of stalls, lots of variety for everyone!
- Great location – on the waterfront, walking and cycling paths
- Lots of shops and restaurants across the road to choose breakfast or lunch
- Dog friendly area
Con’s –
- Parking can be difficult and may be a bit of a walk if you park in the shopping area
Other markets of interest –
- Sacred Tree Markets – Various Locations
- Art Bazaar – Various Locations
- Hunt and Gather Markets Newcastle Foreshore
- Farmers and Artisans Market Toronto
- Wollombi Markets
Now these are most definitely not all of the markets in the Hunter/Newcastle region. These are just the markets both Shane and I have been to personally and have the knowledge to review. They are just our opinion and yours may be completely different, so don’t be scared to check them out! It does give you a good all rounded idea to what there is available and shows there is something for everyone.
The more markets we go to, the more we will keep growing our list, so stay tuned!
