Ah markets, how we love thee. Temporarily transforming all our very favourite sun-soaked haunts into stall-laden shopping meccas so that we can get amongst the good vibes, gather fresh provisions and snap up meticulously crafted unique creations from talented local makers.

And for our troubles? Top it all of by refuelling with a hot coffee, fresh smoothie, or the obligatory extra-large serve of Poffertjes.

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, 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 curated lifestyle markets are run like a well-oiled machine.

The bi-weekly pilgrimage to Burleigh’s beloved institution is one of the GC’s longest-running markets, with this year TVM marking its 15th in action being testament to this (we still remember the very first…and this makes us feel old), our advice is you’ll blow your dosh every time, and we’re not even fooling ourselves when we say we’re just gonna hit them up for a ‘quick look’… *money with wings emoji* x10
Where: Burleigh Heads Primary School, Burleigh Heads
When: First and third Sunday of the month, 8:30am – 1pm

HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets
The stunning HOTA grounds offer an equally picturesque and conveniently central spot to convene and soak up some #sundayfunday good vibes and a whole lot of local goodies. Thanks to a little transformation into vibrant (literally and figuratively) cultural hub, the Bundall site is also home to a hotted up weekly market offering which has become one of the Gold Coast’s numero ono community events.

They’re passionate about local farmers, makers, bakers and growers, with in-season farm-fresh produce, delicious artisan foods, boutique fashion, handcrafted treasures and live music. Nestled against the backdrop of Evendale Lake and the surrounding parklands, the kids can take a dip while you sit back and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere (read: eat fresh pastries and sip hot coffee). Bliss!
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: Every Sunday 6am – 11.30am

Farmers Markets
There are options aplenty when it comes to farmers 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 – 11am at 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale; Marina Mirage Farmers Markets – every Saturday from 6.30am – 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 – 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 – 3pm

Emerald Lakes Gourmet Food and Craft Markets
Feeling a bit fancy? Described as a complete alfresco gourmet shopping experience with an international ambiance, head to Emerald Lakes for some of our region’s best street food and fresh produce. It’s also one of the few markets available for a mid-week meander to replenish the larder with quality essentials – with Australian seafood, grain fed and hormone free meats, free range eggs and home-baked goodies all on offer. Plus stock up on gorgeous candles, melts and a myriad of unique crafts, all handmade with love and arguably, still *somewhat* essential.. bc vibes are important too.
Where: Emerald Lakes Complex, The Boulevard, Carrara
When: Every Thursday, 3pm – 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 – 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 – 2pm at 155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach; Queen Elizabeth Park – The second and fourth Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at 60 Marine Parade, Coolangatta; Justin Park – The last Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm at Burleigh Heads; Esplanade North Park – The fourth Sunday of every month from 8am – 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 – 11.30am

Hide & Seek Children’s Market
Those familiar with the Hide & Seek Children’s Market from its former Elanora and Robina locations will be thrilled to learn the concept lives on thanks to a new home in Upper Coomera – with the same signature blend of unique and skilfully hand-crafted creations, all designed with parents and mini-me’s in mind.

The curation of clever local creatives and artisans brings us cute 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: The Well, 58 Highland Way, Upper Coomera
When: Third Saturday of every month from 8am – 12pm.

Miami Marketta
There’s only one thing better than a market and that’s a vibin’ night market. The Coast’s OG laneway dining experience hosts food vendors of all nationalities in the one space, take your entrée from Spain, your main from Thailand, and sweets from France. How multicultural 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: Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 5pm – 10pm

Broadwater Pavilion Markets
A newer in-stall-ment to the GC’s market scene, Southport’s open air market by the sea is quickly establishing itself as a fave among Northern residents with stacks of fun for the whole family. There’s plenty of entertainment for the kiddos, with face painting, henna, hair braiding, character appearances all frequenting the lineup.

While those who have aged out of face-paint demographic (#tear) can hunt for some hand-crafted wares with all manner of scented, ceramic, and sewn goodies on rotation from local stallholders. Bonus for paw-rents: they’re pet friendly (on lead), so bring your pup along for a paw-some day out.
Where: Bathing Pavilion Lawn, Marine Parade, Southport
When: The third Saturday of every second month, 8am – 2pm

Jack Evans Boat Harbour Waterfront Markets
Another one of the newer kids on the proverbial market block, the picturesque Tweed promenade snaking by the Boat Harbour waterfront was just begging for local stallholders and their crafty creations to set up shop and complement our leisurely Saturday strolls.

A stunner of a spot for the Southern GC (four-legged friends invited also!) to congregate with live music, artisan food vendors, hand crafted treasures and boutique fashion stalls a plenty. After you’ve shopped up a storm, cool off with a spot of paddle boarding as the glistening water beckons.

And if that hasn’t worn out the kiddos, the fortuitously placed new foreshore playground should do the trick.
When: Jack Evans Boat Harbour Market: first Saturday of every month, 8am – 1pm. Night Market: second & fourth Friday of every month, 4pm – 8pm
Where: Wharf St, Tweed Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen and Kellie Leader

You may have heard the happy news that Harbour Town was set to open a brand new dining precinct, aptly named Harbour Town Eats, and that is a thing that has happened as of a short while ago.

The bright, open air space is filled with sweet new venues, one of which is Crafty’s Sports Bar and the exact venue we’re here to discuss. You’ll find the newbie on a corner block at the entrance to the precinct and it’s not a place you should (or will want to) stroll by.

A green neon sign makes Crafty’s known at the front and rounding the corner you’ll alight upon a venue that will delight both your eyeballs and your tastebuds. It’s a flowing indoor slash outdoor dining scenario all modern white tables and light leather seating dashed with a hint of royal blue and bright green and quite sports bar-esque but also unlike any sports bar you’ve ever seen before.

Which, in large part, is due to the pastel pink bubble waffle truck situated at the entrance and within the outdoor dining area (more on that later). Inside, you can choose to be seated in the casual, high table filled, bar side area or in a slightly more formal dining area. The two are separated by a see through shelf type situation filled with said royal blue and bright green sports shaped goodies in perfectly neat rows and we kind of love it.

Game rules are splashed across the back wall and, in the far corner, a ping pong table can be found for a bit of “competitive socialising” as the Crafty’s crew like to call it. New fave saying.

It’s the perfect fitout for a venue that’s been deemed by owner Dave Galvin, as a modern sports bar that’s a little bit playful and perfect for everyone from sports lovers to casual cocktail enthusiasts and, of course, families.

The menu is made up of all the very best things and is a blend of both comfort and clean eating style foods so you can choose your own adventure.

We suggest starting with a Soft Pretzel and golden ale cheese dip because it is soft and fluffy and that cheese dip, no words. Give the Crafty’s Hot Dog a go too; it comes with condiments on the side so you can add crunchy onions (those have a real name, it escapes us), mustard and a few other things to your hearts content. A very good hot dog.

For mains, don’t go past a burger (or hot sandwich as Crafty’s like to call it) and in particular, the Fried Chicken Breast with slaw, cheese, hot sauce, mayo and pickles. YUM. A crowd fave has been the Chilli Caramel Pork Hock and it’s a share-worthy dish boasting the most mouth-watering scent we’ve ever come across. Sides-wise, the sweet corn with chipotle and Parmesan is an absolute stunner. There are plenty of pizzas on the menu too so grab the whole gang and make a night of it.

Look, the whole menu is next-level so no matter what you choose, you’ll roll out a happy camper. And yes, there are some vegetarian options on offer too (also delicious).

For dessert, you’ll obviously order a bubble waffle and you can choose exactly how it’s made by adding toppings and sweet sauces and many a tasty treat that are popped inside soft, sugary bubble waffles and so very heavenly.

At the bar, of course there are many craft beer options and a range of signature cocktails including one we must mention known as The GOAT. It’s a delightful little mix of a Pina Colada and tequila and oh Mother of cocktail goodness, get involved in that guy for sure.

As of this weekend, you can enjoy brunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s and there’ll be a DJ busting out tunes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. What a time.

Everything about the place is absolutely top notch and since it’s the season of over indulgence and treating yo’self, you better get there quick smart and do exactly that.

LOCATION: Harbour Town Eats, Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters
HOURS: 11am until 12am Monday to Friday and 9am until 12am Saturday and Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith