Being able to rummage round a market on holiday is a real joy. It’s a leisurely stroll while shopping, taking a golden opportunity to meet local people, buy food and beverages grown in the area and just absorb the individual character of each town. And for those who like a second hand bargain you never know what gems you’ll find!
Many on the Atherton Tablelands are in picturesque spots so include a market visit on your holiday plans. Most open around 7-7.30 am and finish just after noon.
Yungaburra Market is on the fourth Saturday of each month (third in December) and is well established, starting in 1977 to raise money for the Yungaburra school. It prides itself on selling local and with 250 stalls there’s heaps to choose from. It’s right in town too so you can roam this cute village as well as browsing the stalls.
The Malanda Markets are on the third Saturday of each month. They are run for the community by the Lions Club Malanda Showgrounds. This is a great country market, jam packed with local stalls and offering some fantastic home cooking and handy crafts.
Set under amazing trees, the Tolga Markets are bustling. Supporting local farmers and families they are a great alternative to pushing a trolley around a supermarket. Home baking, plants for the garden and lots of second hand treasures are just some of the items you will find here. Held on the first Sunday of the month at Marrow park, next to the Tolga Racecourse.
Mareeba Market has great coffee and all morning breakfasts, plants and handicrafts, jewellery and home baking. There are more than 100 stalls and this lively market has lots of fans who love its diverse range of goods and amazing prices. Some months you get a bonus – it’s held every second and fifth Saturday of the month at Centenary Park.
Atherton has two markets. The Atherton Market at Platypus Park on the first Saturday of the month sells fruit and veges, plants and handicrafts and the Atherton Lions Club Undercover Market at the Showgrounds Lion Park on the second Sunday of the month has 40 plus stalls, including food and drink. The colour and character of the Atherton Tablelands come together in these markets held in the region’s biggest town.
A bit further out west the Herberton Market on the third Sunday of the month at the Wondecla Showgrounds has lots of fruit and veges for sale plus homemade gifts, cakes, jams, leather work and plants. There’s more than 40 stalls and real country charm.
Held at Archers Creek rest stop under some lovely gum trees, the Ravenshoe Market is on the second Sunday of the month. There’s a coffee van, fruit and veges, plants, bric-a-brac, second hand clothes and books.
The mother of all Atherton Tableland markets, the “original” Kuranda Markets are a big tourist attraction in town. They began more than 25 years ago and are open every day. Set in tropical gardens they still retain their hippie charm from their origins while catering to a wide patronage including locals, day visitors and backpackers. There’s lots of food and beverage options plus hand crafts, jewellery clothing and local produce. Opens 9am to 3pm daily on Therwine St.
