11 Must-Visit Blue Mountains Markets By Town

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

The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

Where to eat

What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

bangalay dining shoalhaven — Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

Exploring nature

Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton. — Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

kiama coast walk people with dog — Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

Unique experiences

No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum . Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood. — Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.

11 must-visit markets in the Blue Mountains by town