11 must-visit markets in the Blue Mountains by town

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With a collection of weekly, monthly and yearly markets rotating through the Blue Mountains, you’re sure to discover one during your stay.

Market-lovers know that the best place to find unique, handmade items and beautifully grown produce is at regional community markets. From the foothills of Penrith to lofty Katoomba, Megalong and beyond, these Blue Mountains events showcase the talent and passion of local artisans and farmers.

1. Christmas Wollemi Artisan Markets, Katoomba

When: Annually in December

Come along to seek out stocking-fillers at this annual free Christmas market in Katoomba  to find an array of local, artisan products.

market stalls lined up along Christmas Wollemi Artisan Markets, Katoomba
Browse local artisan products at Christmas Wollemi Artisan Markets (also pictured above). (Image: Liam Foster)

From jewellery, homewares and edible gifts to artworks and fashion, talent is on show as you shop local to the sounds of live music. Take a break from shopping to check out the Gallery Up Late event that’s also on the premises.

a live music performance at Christmas Wollemi Artisan Markets, Katoomba
Listen to live music while shopping. (Image: Liam Foster)

Address: 30 Parke Street, Katoomba

2. Megalong Makers Market, Megalong

When: Easter Saturday and second Saturday of November

The twice-yearly Megalong Makers Market  is one to mark on your calendar with a range of local artisans and producers coming together to sell their wares directly to the public from 10am-2pm. You’ll find jewellery, soaps, woodwork, macrame and other crafts, as well as coffee, food trucks and more.

people dropping by the Megalong Creek Estate vehicle at Megalong Makers Market
Visit Megalong Makers Market to buy organic produce and more.

Address: Megalong Community Hall

3. Blackheath Growers Market, Blackheath

When: Second Sunday of the month

Stroll 60 stalls of this lovely market  as your tummy grumbles for the delicious produce on display. There’s everything from locally grown fruits and veg to breads, meats, spices cheeses, olive oil, nuts and wines to whet your appetite and inspire you in the kitchen.

a cheese board at Blackheath Growers Market, Blackheath
Blackheath Growers Market is a cheese lover’s haven. (Image: All Events Markets and Festivals)

Address: Blackheath Community Centre

4. Blackheath Mountain Craft Markets, Blackheath

When: Third and fourth Sundays of the month

The undercover Blackheath Mountain Craft Markets  is a wonderful way to spend a few hours admiring the works of talented local craftspeople and makers. From sweet treats and delicious provisions to gift cards, wooden puzzles and toys, jewellery, fashion and trinkets, you’ll find something to take home as a memento of your Blue Mountains visit.

Address: RSL sub-branch hall, Bundarra Street, Blackheath

5. Springwood Growers Market, Springwood 

When: Fourth Sunday of the month

Running since 2015, the Springwood Growers Market  is a cornucopia of fresh, regional fruit and vegetables and artisan-made products such as breads, free-range eggs, honey, wines, and condiments.

traditional spices at Springwood Growers Market, Springwood
Find an array of traditional spices at Springwood Growers Market. (Image: All Events Markets and Festivals)

You’ll also find plants and seedlings to buy to get your own garden up and running. Bring your market basket and fill to the brim with beautiful, seasonal food purchased direct from farmers. With around 50 stallholders, you’ll find plenty to stock the fridge and pantry.

fresh apples at Springwood Growers Market, Springwood
Fill your basket with fresh apples at Springwood Growers Market. (Image: All Events Markets and Festivals)

Address: Blue Mountains Community Theatre Hub, Springwood

6. Bilpin Community Markets and Café, Bilpin

 When: Every Saturday

A weekly community get-together, the Bilpin Community Markets and Cafe offers up a wholesome piece of mountain life with a side of delicious produce and good food. Come along for locally-made crafts, treats, jams and preserves, as well as flowers, eco cleaning products and more.

locally made crafts on display at Bilpin Community Markets and Café
Shop locally-made crafts at Bilpin Community Markets and Café.

Address: Bilpin Hall, Bells Line of Road, Bipin

7. Oberon Community and Farmers Market, Oberon

When: First Saturday of the month

The charming Oberon Community and Farmers Market  is a lovely way to spend a morning in the mountains. Here you’ll find all manner of lovely items to covet, from patchwork quilts and beeswax candles to wooden chopping boards, plants and ornaments. There’s also coffee, treats and fresh produce to enjoy.

people browsing the stalls inside Oberon Community and Farmers Market
Find everything you need at Oberon Community and Farmers Market.

 Address: Oberon Showground, 79/99 Ross Street, Oberon

 8. Aussie Night Markets – Penrith

When: Third Sunday of the month

There’s an evening of fun to be had every month at the Aussie Night Market in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Between 5pm and 9.30pm head along to shop and eat in a lively, festival-like atmosphere with food stalls and trucks, rides and games, retail stores and live music.

people having a picnic on the grounds at Aussie Night Markets
Spend a vibrant afternoon outdoors at Aussie Night Markets. (Image: Visit Penrith)

Address: Panthers, 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith

9. Richmond Good Food Market, Richmond 

When: Every Saturday

Trestle tables are laden with food grown and produced in and around the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains regions at the weekly Richmond Good Food Market.

the Richmond Good Food Market on a sunny day
Shop your way around Richmond Good Food Market.

Avoid the supermarket, support local farmers and eat beautiful, nutrient-dense food with a trip here to do your weekly shop. From meat to veg and all manner of products, there’s plenty to fill your shopping basket.

flowery plants on display at Richmond Good Food Market
Check out these pretty indoor plants at Richmond Good Food Market. (Image: Dee Uson Photography)

Address: Richmond Park, 180 Windsor Street, Richmond

Lawson

 10. Magpie Up Style Markets, Lawson

When: Third Sunday of the month (excluding January)

Get ready to rummage through all sorts of treasures at the Magpie Up Style monthly market , where you can peruse collectibles, pre-loved fashion, arts and crafts, books and delicious food. Grab a coffee and a bite as you wander the stalls looking for your next-favourite find.

honey jars at Magpie Up Style Markets, Lawson
Grab a jar of sweet honey at Magpie Up Style Markets. (Image: All Events Markets and Festivals)

Address: Lawson Public School, corner Wilson Street and Great Western Highway

11. Glenbrook Rotary Markets, Glenbrook

 When: First and third Saturdays of the month

The well-established Glenbrook Markets  is a fun outing on any Blue Mountains itinerary with plenty of stalls to draw crowds. Discover almost anything, from plants to wooden handicrafts and ceramics, knitted socks, fashion finds and wellness products. There’s also plenty of sellers peddling edible delights, from handmade biscuits and other baked treats to local honey and good coffee.

evolva tea products on display at Glenbrook Rotary Markets
Discover edible delights at Glenbrook Rotary Markets.

Address: 10 Ross Street, Glenbrook

Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford
Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena
Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .