Discoving the Sunshine Coast Markets

If you are anything like me, you’ll love spending a Saturday or Sunday morning with a coffee in hand strolling around a market. I live on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast so I am lucky to be close to a lot of markets very close to where I live. The majority of Sunshine Coast markets specialise in local grown produce, tasty gourmet treats and organic goods. For today’s blog I decided to put together a list of the more popular weekend markets on the Sunshine Coast with a run down on what each market has to offer. In upcoming blogs I’ll explore what markets are on offer in the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales areas.

Market: The Big Pineapple Market.
When: Every Saturday
Where: Big Pineapple, Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye
Time: 6.30am – 12noon.
Market type: Local produce Market. Offering organic fruit and veg, homemade bread, hinterland raised poultry, local cheese and fresh coffee. A good variety of local produce and products where you can just about get everything you need to tick off the home grocery list and, of course, a great market to find lovely gourmet items that you can never seem to do without.

Market: Eumundi Markets
When: Every Wednesday and Saturday
Where: Memorial Drive, Eumundi
Time: 6.30am to 2pm
Market Type: Art and Craft market. This market is the biggest the Sunshine Coast has to offer. It gets very busy and it’s best to get in early. A large array of local produce, original artwork, preserves, sweets, treats, home wares, beach wear, hand woven garments, local photography, silk paintings, musicians and buskers. This market could just about fill an entire day as there are plenty of cafes, food and entertainment on offer too. This market isn’t really my cup of tea as there seems to be a lot of imported goods and has a strong commercial feel. But in saying that, it’s an extremely popular market which people seem to return to week after week.

Market: Yandina Market
When: Every Saturday
Where: Yandina Sports Grounds (Wonga Park) North Street, Yandina.
Time: 7am to 12noon.
Market Type: Plant and Produce meets Flea Market. I really love this market. Mainly because I’m a sucker for bric-a-brac and I’m always on the hunt for a retro find. This market has plenty of fresh fruit and Veg, heaps of cheap plants for the garden, second hand gear and bric-a-brac. This isn’t a craft market where you would go to buy gifts or art, but if you’re after some great tasty produce and if flea markets are your thing then this is the market for you.

Market: Mapleton Market
When: First Saturday of the month
Where: Mapleton Hall Grounds, Obi Obi Road, Mapleton.
Time: 8am to 12.30pm
Market Type: Local Produce and craft market. This market has a really nice feel to it and lets you experience some unique, hand crafted and high quality local produce. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg is on offer, home-made breads, local cheeses, plants and flowers. No second hand, bric-a-brac or imported goods. All market holders are local with locally made produce, crafts and art which give this market quite a country feel.

Market: Kenilworth Market
When: First & third Saturday of each month
Where: CWA Grounds, Elizabeth Street Kenilworth
Time: 8am to 1pm
Market Type: Country Market with it all. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg, local made produce, art and craft, candles and oils, brick-a-brac, tools, books, pet supplies, face painting, buskers and plenty of tasty treats. New and second hand gear with plenty of gifts and treasures to be found.

Market: Crystal Waters Market
When: 1^st Saturday of each month
Where: 1/65 Kilcoy Lane (off Aherns Rd) Conondale
Time: 8am to 1.30pm
Market Type: Local Produce Country market. You’ll be feeling like a hippy in no time when you arrive at Crystal Waters. Delicious wood fire sourdough breads made fresh on site right in front of you, locally grown organic produce, live music with different bands and musicians playing each market, seedlings, herbs, plants, local honey, gourmet foods, chocolates, fresh coffee, cakes, bric-a-brac, second hand clothing, massage, reflexology, face painting and tasty treats. This market is about 20mins inland from Maleny but the drive is worth it as it’s an extremely beautiful area and a great day’s adventure.

Market: Montville Market
When: 2^nd Saturday of each month
Where: Montville Village Hall. Memorial Close, Montville.
Time: 7.30am to 12noon.
Market Type: Local Produce Market. Much like Mapleton this market has a great country feel with plenty of locally grown fresh fruit and veg, flowers, plants, home-made produce, jams and sauces, soaps and gifts, garden products, chocolates and fair trade coffee. This market is also made up of locals with no imported goods, but you may find some great second hand clothing and pieces. There is always fresh coffee, tasty pancakes and an organic sausage sizzle on offer. This market is at the top end of Montville’s Main street where you will find plenty of great cafes, gift shops, art galleries and a fantastic country pub.

Market: Caloundra Market
When: Every Sunday
Where: Arthur Street, Caloundra
Time: 7am to 12 noon
Market Type: Local Produce and craft market. All your Fresh Fruit & Veg are here along with beautiful fresh flowers & Plants. Stock up on fresh seafood, plus hand-made clothes, craft, tools for the guys, books & collectables. Caloundra market has a variety of both new hand-made and second hand gear and bric-a-brac. This market is a bit like a smaller scale of the Eumundi Markets. So if you love what Eumundi has to offer I’m sure you’ll love what Caloundra has to offer too.

Market: Caboolture Market
When: Every Sunday
Where: Caboolture showgrounds, Beerburrum Rd, Caboolture
Time: 6am - 12 noon
Market Type: Farmers Market meets Flea Market. Locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, home-made produce plus flea market style stalls with everything from clothes, jewellery and toys, to lawn mowers, auto spares, fishing gear & hardware items for the guys. You will even find gold & fighting fish and pet supplies. This market is a trash and treasure lover’s dream; it is a show ground size garage sale with fresh produce and foods also thrown into the mix. A great market for good quality plants at great prices and there are rides to entertain the kids.

Market: Noosa Famers Market
When: Every Sunday
Where: Noosa AFL Grounds, 155 Weyba Road, Noosaville
Time: 7.30am - 12 noon
Market Type: Local Produce famers market. This market is great and it’s best to go hungry! All products are grown, reared, caught, baked or prepared by the stallholders. Farm fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, cheeses, preserves, seafood, red claw, poultry, beef, lamb, organic coffee, fresh flowers and plants. You will find everything to tick off the grocery list and will also leave with some lovely gourmet items that will be perfect for a treat or dinner party.

Market: Peregian Beach Market
When: First, third and fifth Sunday of the month and every Sunday in December
Where: Kingfisher Drive, Perigian Beach
Time: 7am -12.30pm
Market Type: Art and Craft market. Here you will find textiles, woodwork, art and sculptures, some nice gift ideas and home wares. You can soak up the beachside atmosphere whilst browsing a variety of hand crafts, plants and local produce of preserves, chutneys, macadamias, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Market: Queensland Cancer Fund Market
When: First Sunday of each month
Where: First Ave car park, Bongaree, Bribie Island
Time: 8am - 12 noon
Market Type: I haven’t had the chance to visit this market yet but I am told you will find fresh produce, fruit and veg, gourmet foods, giftware, craft and home wares. It's on my list to visit in the very near future.