Ah markets, how we love thee. Whether it’s something to eat, something a little left of centre, something handy (like a carry-cooler-bag which fits 2 bottles of wine), something crafty, something to wear or something for the abode, you’ll find it. There’s something (or many somethings…) for everyone and best of all, you’re supporting local – and isn’t that what it’s all about!
Here is a who’s who list of our fabulous local weekday and Saturday and Sunday markets here on our beloved Gold Coast.
The Village Markets
An award-winning platform for small creative businesses, The Village Markets host curated markets encouraging collaboration, creativity and good vibes. With clothing from the coolest designers, jewellery and accessories, homewares, rack sales and amazing food, these markets are run like a well-oiled machine. In their 14th year (we still remember the very first…and this makes us feel old), our advice is you’ll blow your dosh every time, so maybe don’t tell hubby where you’re going. Or hide the receipts…
Where: Burleigh Heads Primary School, Burleigh Heads
When: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 8am to 1pm
HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets
The HOTA Markets have quickly become one of the Gold Coast’s numbero uno community markets. They’re passionate about local farmers, makers, bakers and growers, with in-season farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion, handcrafted wears and live music. Nestled against the backdrop of Evendale Lake and the stunning HOTA landscape, the kids can take a dip while you sit back and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Bliss!
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Sunday 6am to 11.30am
Farmers’ Markets
There’s options aplenty when it comes to famers’ markets around the Coast to source your fruit, veggies, locally made goods, plants and of course, brekky and caffeine. Supporting local farmers with both organic and conventional produce, you’ll get the feel-good factor as well as the taste-good factor! A ritual for many locals on weekends, it sure beats hitting the mainstream grocery retailers. Plus, the best thing is, you’re spoilt for choice with a number of different locations to hit up.
Where & When: Helensvale State High School – every Saturday from 6am to 11am at 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale; Marina Mirage Farmers’ Markets – every Saturday from 6.30am to 12pm at Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach; Palm Beach Currumbin High School – every Saturday morning from 6am – 11.30am at PBC, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach; Burleigh Farmers Markets – every Saturday morning from 7am to 12 noon at Burleigh Heads State School, Cnr West Burleigh Rd &, Lower Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads.
Carrara Markets
Still the biggest market in Oz, Carrara Markets house over 300 stalls. Discount shopping at its best, there is literally nothing you can’t find from fresh produce, fashion, homewares, pots, plants, bric a brac, cars, souvenirs, arts and crafts and everything in between. Perfect for the family, there’s buskers, pony rides, a baby animal farm, bungy trampolines, mini golf, face painters, and even a new walk-in Butterfly House.
Where: Gooding Drive, Carrara
When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 7am to 3pm
Emerald Lakes Gourmet Food and Craft Markets
Feeling a bit fancy? Described as a complete alfresco gourmet shopping experience with an international ambience, head to Emerald Lakes for some of our region’s best street food and fresh produce. There’s Australian seafood, grain fed and hormone free meats, free range eggs and homebaked goodies, plus stock up on gorgeous candles, melts and a myriad of unique crafts, all handmade with love. Aww.
Where: Emerald Lakes Complex, The Boulevard, Carrara
When: Every Thursday, 3pm to 7pm
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
No prizes for guessing where these markets are located. Mere footsteps from the sand, they’ve been an iconic Gold Coast shopping and cultural experience since the mid-90s. Featuring artisan and traditional Aussie goods, fresh produce, gourmet provisions, handmade wares and more, they showcase our best growers, makers, characters and creators. When you’re done, Surfers’ melting pot of restaurants and bars are a hop, skip and a jump over the road.
Where: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, 4pm to 9pm
Gold Coast Art & Craft Sunday Markets
Lining the beachfront at four beautiful GC locations (Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads and now Paradise Point), these markets have been a local fave for over three decades. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, souvenirs, art, craft, the ingenious or the weird and the wonderful, it’s here. A-buzz with atmosphere, there are over 150 stalls showcasing original Australian-made products, fresh produce, yummy food and live entertainment.
Where & When: Kurrawa Park – The first and third Sunday of every month from 8am to 2pm at 155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach; Queen Elizabeth Park – The second and fourth Sunday of every month from 8am to 2pm at 60 Marine Parade, Coolangatta; Justin Park – The last Sunday of every month from 8am to 2pm at Burleigh Heads; Esplanade North Park – The fourth Sunday of every month from 8am to 2pm at Paradise Point.
The Sanctuary Markets
On The Village Green at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ll find these popular markets. A nod to the GC’s multi-culturalism with local and international foods plus cool arts and crafts, you’ll also be wowed by our best homegrown entertainers. The venue is fully licensed (translation: let’s wine), featuring craft beers exclusively from Burleigh Brewing Co, and vinos courtesy of Sirromet Wines.
Where: On The Village Green, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
When: Every Friday, 4pm-9pm
The Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market
Every Sunday morning you can get your fill of organic, spray-free fruit, veggies, ready-made eats (we’re all about easy eats), organic cosmetics, organic clothing…basically, if it’s organic and it exists, it’s here! It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday morning and load up your basket with treats that will not only make you feel good, but help the planet too!
Where: Merrimac State High School, 3 Dunlop Ct, Mermaid Waters
When: Every Sunday, 6am to 11.30am
Hide & Seek Children’s Market
Housing unique creations that are skilfully hand-crafted or designed by artistic and independent locals, these markets celebrate our mini-me’s with clothing, accessories, toys, décor, furnishings and more. Bop along to all-day live music, grab some bites from local food trucks, and wear the kids out with a range of activities. If you love on-trend goodies, rare finds and spoiling your little loves, you won’t be disappointed.
Where & When: Elanora State High School – The Fourth Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm – at 261 Nineteenth Avenue, Elanora; Robina High School – Third or fourth Sunday of every month (check website) from 8am to 1pm at 1 Investigator Dr, Robina.
Miami Marketta
There’s only one thing better than a market and that’s a vibin’ night market. A laneway dining experience with food vendors of all nationalities in the one space, take your entree from Spain, your main from Thailand and sweets from France. How multi-cultural of you! With farshon (fashion – but we just like saying FARSHON) and accessories from local designers, these markets have cool factor for days.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
When: Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 5pm -10pm
Words by Bianca Trathen
Wednesday is usually not the day associated with cool events, but it is now!
Tucked away on a Miami side street is Miami Marketta.
Known as the Gold Coast’s weekend spot for tasty street food, fun cocktails, boutique shopping and a live band, the Miami Marketta is all around awesome, but a seemingly little known fact is that Miami Marketta is not just for the weekenders! You can experience Marketta’s awesomeness 4 nights a week!
I’m a big fan of the Miami Marketta and have done some serious eating there more than a handful of times over past weekends, but I had my maiden voyage to a Wednesday Marketta last week. Imma tell you about it…
Firstly, parking was a breeze! A sign for good things to come. As I made my way to the entrance it started to drizzle. As a former weekend Marketta-er I was a bit bummed because Ithought that would mean standing in the rain to wait for my food. – NOT ON A WEDNESDAY!
Wednesday is tapas night at Miami Marketta and they host a smaller selection of vendors, which means that they all fit under the twinkly lit steel canopy.
On weekends long rows of communal tables occupy the space under the shelter of the canopy pushing the vendors outside. During the week the tables are turned to stand alone making for a more intimate setting amongst friends, and creating covered space for the vendors to set up. (Keep that in mind for rainy days)
Now, just because Wednesdays do not boast the same number of vendors as the weekends do, it does not mean there is any shortage of flavour or options. One of my favourite things about Miami Marketta whether it be a weekday or weekend is that it’s ethnically ambiguous. In a few short steps, you can go from smelling the frying corn chips at the Mexican stand, to the mouth-watering meat being grilled for the Mediterranean salads and kebabs. The smell of a wood fired oven filled with Italian pizzas mixes with the sweet scents of Belgian waffles and it’s a glorious overload making it nearly impossible to choose just one thing. –But on Wednesday you don’t have to, nor should you! All dishes start at $6 so the tasting and sharing is easy and inexpensive!
In front of flamingo wallpaper is a liquor bar specialising in hand crafted cocktails and beside that was the coffee and sweets bar. The coffee bar wasn’t that popular in the late evening, but the cocktail bar was pumping. Drinks served in glass jars were adorned with funky fun straws and tasted like sweet sweet love. If you were in the mood to keep your drinks simple, they had a nice selection of beer and wine.
And just because the coffee bar wasn’t popping at night, doesn’t mean you should skip out on it. Marketta Cafe is open Tuesday – Saturday starting at 6am to fill all your early morning coffee needs!
The Marketta celebrates the arts and always has something nice going on to feed your soul and not just your mouth.
Wednesdays there is a DJ spinning relaxed beats and this particular Wednesday there was a local designer putting on a fashion show. The mix of two was such a treat. Not your usual Wednesday night dinner entertainment 🙂
Boutique shops sold mostly homewares and clothes. art. -All very cool pieces I might add!
The grill smoke trapped by the rain swirled against the ceiling, models strutted in casually elegant clothes, the DJ spun smooth tempos, the food was tasty and cheap, and the patrons were delightfully hip and laid back.
Successful Wednesday night.
Miami Marketta is open
Wed 5p-10p
Fri 5p-11p
Sat 4p-11p
Particularly as winter rolls around, it’s a good idea to eat as much fresh fruit and veggies as possible. It’s even better to support local growers at the same time.
Luckily, we have quite the array of options when it comes to farmers markets on the Gold Coast so you never have to travel too far to stock up.
In honour of all that, here’s a list of 10 farmers markets right here on the Gold Coast. From north to south, happy shopping.
Helensvale Farmers Markets
Supporting local farmers with organic and conventional produce, you’ll find a range of gourmet food stalls alongside carefully selected unique handcrafted creations from local micro-businesses. You’ll find seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats and seafoods, condiments, organic bread, gluten-free breads and baking, honey, flowers, herbs, kombucha, sweet treats and much more. There’s local music and puppies are welcome too. Open Saturdays from 6am until 10.30am.
Where: Helensvale State High School, 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale
Marina Mirage Farmers Market
Fresh produce, gourmet foods, specialty items and luscious beauty products, the Marina Mirage Farmers Market is a premier market with everything you need. There’s everything from gourmet roasted coffee, freshly made take home meals and baked goodes, deli treats like stuffed olives, cold meats, pates and dips. You can also pick up some gifts while you’re there, there’s organic body scrubs, white Belgian chocolate and handmade soy candles. All the best things. They’re on the first, third and fifth Saturday of the month from 7am until 12pm.
Where: Marina Mirage, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Bundall Farmers Markets
Visiting Bundall Farmers’ Markets is an experience plenty of locals and visitors love every single week. Not only can you stock up on locally grown goodies, you can also interact with growers and producers and learn about where their food comes from. You’ll find everyting you need from fruit and veggies to fresh flowers, bread, ready-to-eat treats, tasty coffee and plenty more. They are plastic bag free to remember to take your own along with you. Pop in every Sunday from 6am to 11.30am.
Where: Home of the Arts (HOTA), 135 Bundall Road, Bundall
Markets in the Meadow
All the most delightful of goods are on offer at Markets in the Meadow including fresh fruit and vegetables, cryovac meats, specialist bakeries, international take-away eats, local seafood, healthy juices and of course, coffee to kick start the day. You can also find fresh flowers, pet treats, plants and herbs, meals for a week, jams and honey. So all of the best things. Head down for some fun in the sun on Sundays from 6am until 11.30am.
Where: Gold Coast Turf Club, Racecourse Drive, Surfers Paradise
Lavelle Street Markets
Fresh food by local farmers is what you’ll find at Lavelle Street Markets in Nerang. From meat and seafood to rice and flour, all the fruit and vegetables you could possibly imagine plus goodies like hemp seed oil, fresh juice and even treats for your pet, you won’t leave empty handed. Of course there’s fresh coffee to be sipped and plenty of spots to sit and soak up the atmosphere. Open every Sunday form 6.30am to 12pm.
Where: Corner Lavelle & Nerang Street, Nerang
Mudgeeraba Country Markets
With a mission of supporting local growers, the Mugdeeraba Country Market has been a local favourite for many moons. Bring your pooch along to peruse stalls filled with fresh produce, bread, flowers, coffee, everything you love. It’s a beautiful morning out under the trees, filling your basket with tasty eats and breathing in that fresh country air. Get to Mudgeeraba on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 8am until 1pm.
Where: Mudgeeraba Showground, 115 Mudgeeraba Road, Mudgeeraba
Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market
All organic, everything is the name of the game at Miami’s farmers market. You’ll find an extensive and complete range of the freshest, absolutely straight from the farm, guaranteed certified organically grown seasonal (and interstate) vegetables and fruit. Grab your goodies every Sunday from 6.30am until 11am.
Where: Miami State High School, Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Burleigh Heads Farmers Market
Burleigh’s beloved market offers farm fresh produce, organic fruit and vegetables, gourmet foods, global foods, plants, fresh flowers, meat, fish, deli, antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, plants, specialty stalls plus hot food, hot coffee and live entertainment. You’re guaranteed to have a good morning at the market then top it off with a stroll across the road to the beach. On every Saturday morning from 7am until 12pm.
Where: Burleigh Heads State School, Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Palm Beach Farmers Market
By the same good folks who bring us Bundall Farmers Market, Palm Beach offers the same five star goodness. Find all your fresh food needs plus breads, specialty stalls, hot food, flowers, gifts and so much more and once you’ve filled your basket, take a seat in the sunshine with a fresh brew and soak it all in. They’re on every Saturday from 6am until 11.30am.
Where: Palm Beach Currumbin High School, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach
Currumbin Community Market
The one and only weekday farmers market on the Coast can be found in Currumbin bearing all kinds of amazing goodies including yes, locally grown fruit and veggies plus selections of nuts and seeds, olives, cheeses, bread, fresh flowers and all set within a relaxing atmosphere. There’s also coffee and ready made breakfast delights if you want to stay awhile. It’s on Thursday mornings from 7am until 11am. Lovely.
Where: Currumbin RSL, 164 Duringan Street, Currumbin
Words by Kirra Smith
Ensuring you have the best available produce is an endless endeavour for those with an ardour for all things kitchen related. Whilst we’re incessantly spoilt with the incredible fresh produce growing in this fertile pocket of paradise we get to call home — getting your hands on artisanal goods and locally sourced fare can be a job at the best of times.
Sure, don’t get us wrong; scoping out the farmers’ markets on the weekend without a care in the world is one of the treasures of the week for us Gold Coasters. But what about if we told you you could source great paddock to plate staples and pantry-filling delicacies in one place without much hassle?
Well, family-owned and operated Harris Farm Markets have opened their very first store at Via Roma, Isle of Capri on the Gold Coast. Meaning multiple outings to get the very best things to fill your fridge, cupboards, and larder should be a thing of the past!
At over 1500sqm, the Isle of Capri store is no small feat. Shoppers will have top-quality fresh food at their disposal from a whopping 320 Queensland producers, with more than 500 lines of fruit and vegetables featuring the likes of gourmet mushrooms from Brisbane, strawberries from the Sunshine Coast and the crispiest of lettuces from Redland.
Beyond fruit and vegetables, this all-encompassing space brandishes all manner of health foods and products you could possibly desire, with widespread collections of locally made plant-based foods, over 50 lines of nuts and seeds, a range of milks and honey on tap.
Bakery heroes from Tweed, Bread Social, have been invited into the fold with their own counter space. Baking fresh breads, pastries from the mezzanine level above before cascading their goods down to customer level via conveyor belt (fun!).
Gastronomists will rejoice when they set eyes on the gourmet grocery section of local boutique products and an extensive deli with more than 400 cheeses — yes, you read that right. These parcels of joy will feature dairy and nut examples — in their very own Cheese Lane — from hard-working local legends Woombye, Olympus, and Casa Motta, plus many many more.
Five in-house butchers are on hand to cut meats to order exactly as you want them, as well as family-operated Papacosta fishmongers, with over five decades of experience bringing devoted customers the best and freshest seafood from all over the country.
Tying the whole market space together is some carefully considered décor paying tribute to the Gold Coast lifestyle, including over 200 buoys painted by Surfers Paradise State School children, a suspended refurbished boat, and artworks by the Gold Coast’s son of contemporary art and murals Kiel Tillman!
Unfortunately, it is thought some 25% of Australian crops don’t even make it to supermarket shelves because they aren’t attractive enough. Frankly, that’s a crying shame — and a wasteful one at that. Harris Farm Markets proudly gives these fruits and vegetables a chance to be used and enjoyed through their Imperfect and Re-purposeful Picks schemes. Meaning you can get your hands on some luscious produce for a reduced price — perfect for broths, popsicles, and smoothies if you ask us!
With Christmas only just around the corner — and the errands list slowly filling up — look no further than Harris Farm Markets at Via Roma for all your nutrient-dense plate filling needs this festive season!
When: Every day 6am — 10pm
Where: 15/21 Capri on Via Roma, Surfers Paradise
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
