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15 must-visit markets in the Blue Mountains 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. And perusing the diverse stalls in the Blue Mountains is one of the best things to do in the region.

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.

In short

If you’re only in town long enough to catch one market, your best bet is the twice-monthly Blackheath Mountain Craft Markets, Blackheath.

1. Wollemi Artisan Markets, Katoomba

Wollemi Artisan Markets, Katoomba
Find an array of artisan products at Wollemi Artisan Markets.

When: Bi-annually in June and December

Held at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, come along in December to seek out stocking-fillers at this annual free Christmas market in Katoomba and to find an array of artisan products at the winter June market. 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 current exhibitions held at the centre.

Address: 30 Parke Street, Katoomba

2. Megalong Makers Market, Megalong

When: Easter Saturday annually

The 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.

Address: Megalong Community Hall

3. Blackheath Growers Market, Blackheath

Blackheath Growers Market, Blue Mountains
Peruse the stalls for delicious produce. (Credit: Blackheath Growers Market)

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.

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 (from 9am to 2pm) 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

veggies on display at Springwood Growers Market
Fill your market basket with fresh veggies. (Credit: Getty/ Chris Gordon)

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. 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.

Address: Blue Mountains Community Theatre Hub, Springwood

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6. Bilpin Community Markets and Cafe, Bilpin

fresh veggies at Bilpin Community Markets and Café
Shop healthy ingredients for your household at Bilpin Community Markets and Cafe.

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 between 10am and 12pm for locally-made crafts, treats, jams and preserves, as well as flowers, eco cleaning products and more.

Address: Bilpin Hall, Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

7. Oberon Community and Farmers Market, Oberon

Oberon Community and Farmers Market, Blue Mountains
Discover locally made crafts at the Oberon Community and Farmers Market.

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.

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.

Address: Penrith Club Paceway, 127-141 Station Street, Penrith

9. Richmond Good Food Market, Richmond

artisan wares at Richmond Good Food Market
See artisans showcase their wares at Richmond Good Food Market.

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. Avoid the supermarket, support local farmers and eat beautiful, nutrient-dense food with a trip here to do your weekly shop between 8am and 1pm every Saturday. From meat to veg and all manner of products, there’s plenty to fill your shopping basket.

Address: Richmond Park, 180 Windsor Street, Richmond

10. Magpie Up Style Markets, Lawson

Magpie Up Style Markets, Lawson
Peruse collectables, pre-loved fashion, arts and crafts at Magpie Up Style Markets.

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 collectables, 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.

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

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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.

Address: 10 Ross Street, Glenbrook

12. Cockatoo Markets

When: 2nd and 4th weekend of the month (including the 5th weekend in Mar, Jun, Aug, Nov)

Slinging everything from records to bric-a-brac, succulents and doughnuts, this local Leura market is full of the goods. Stalls vary depending on what and who is around, but it’s always worth stopping by the hall for a browse.

Address: CWA Hall, 137 Megalong Street, Leura

13. Love Local Makers Market

When: Check website for dates

This Springwood makers market runs between 8.30am and 1pm on seemingly random days and months, so it’s best to check their website before heading along. If you are in luck, you’ll find lovely handmade artisan products, something to eat and entertainment.

Address: Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, 106 Macquarie Road, Springwood

14. Lot 101 Farmgate Market

berries in cups at Lot 101 Farmgate Market
Shop fruits and veggies grown right next door at Lot 101.

When: Every Saturday

Set in the Tearooms from 9.30am to 12.30pm, this is where to come for beautifully fresh, seasonal herbs and veggies grown right next-door at Lot 101. There’s also pantry goods to stock up on, such as honey, bread, eggs and more. Come for the produce, stay for a coffee.

Address: 824 Megalong Road, Megalong Valley

15. Cascade Mountain Market

When: 1st Saturday of the month

In the centre of town, this lively market peddles vintage wares, collectibles, artisan products and a good atmosphere for perusing. This indoor event held between 9.30am and 3.30pm means you can get your market fix no matter what the weather is doing.

Address: 81-83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, NSW, Australia, 2780

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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...
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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant...
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3 vintage train journeys to step back in time and explore NSW

(Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

From country landscapes to the coast, Vintage Rail Journeys blends the grandeur of the golden age of rail travel with immersive local experiences.

Travelling aboard the historic Southern Aurora train is the ultimate scenic journey through regional NSW. Operated by Vintage Rail Journeys, the former Southern Aurora is a step back in time, from the lovingly restored carriages to the Off Train Experiences that spotlight local history, artisanal crafts and regional producers.

Once the overnight express that ferried passengers between Sydney and Melbourne throughout the 1960s, this train has been revived to its former mid-century glory, from the cabin layouts to the original lettering. Today, the train takes passengers on scenic and historic five-day journeys – starting and ending in Sydney – through three distinct regions of NSW: The Riverina, Golden West and North Coast.

Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train carriage
Be transported into the golden age of travel. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

One of the most magical parts of travelling with Vintage Rail Journeys is waking up on the train. Each night, the train stables at a station so guests can enjoy a restful night’s sleep in stillness, before departing again at dawn. Passengers awake to the gentle motion of the carriage, flicking open the blinds to watch the landscape unfold at sunrise. There is no better way to start the day.

The onboard experience come evening time is just as picturesque. Guests enjoy the all-inclusive food and beverages, nursing cocktails in the Art Deco-inspired lounge carriage or lingering over a three-course dinner in the dining carriage. Outside the window, Eastern grey kangaroos bound across open plains and flocks of cockatoos scatter from the gumtrees. It’s an old-world way of travelling, a slower pace that’s increasingly rare amid the frenzy of modern life. From coastal sojourns to adventures through agrarian landscapes, these are the multi-day Vintage Rail Journeys itineraries transporting guests back in time.

The Riverina

Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train travelling through nsw
Travel through the agricultural heartland of NSW. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

The Riverina is the agricultural heartland of NSW. Over five days, Vintage Rail Journeys takes passengers through the region to experience its celebrated produce, wines and local history. Travelling in a loop through the Central West, guests can sample sweets at the Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory, housed inside a former flour mill, tour an olive grove alongside a second-generation olive farmer, and enjoy tastings at family-owned wineries where the grapes are harvested mere metres away.

The Riverina is also a region shaped by passionate local historians. The Fairground Follies museum in Bowral houses one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music and carnival memorabilia – a riot of colour and nostalgia tucked away where you’d least expect it. Meanwhile, Temora Rural Museum offers a glimpse into the history of everyday life in rural NSW. It’s home to the NSW & ACT Ambulance Museum (yes, a museum within a museum), packed with ambulances that span the past 120 years (including horse-drawn!). And seeing it all aboard a vintage train makes it feel not just like you’re visiting history, but living inside of it.

North Coast

Forest Sky Pier
Take in the views from Forest Sky Pier. (Credit: Destination NSW)

This five-day journey is all about ocean views and slowing down in tune with the rhythm of coastal life. As you make your way north from Sydney, the water is never too far from sight, whether Vintage Rail Journeys is tracing the Gloucester River or travelling alongside sweeping stretches of coastline. You’ll want to sit by a window as the train passes through the Coffs Harbour region – it’s one of the most scenic stretches of the whole journey.

Guests can also disembark at Coffs Harbour to take in the beauty of the Great Dividing Range at the Forest Sky Pier – a surreal lookout point that looks like a runway disappearing into the sky. The train continues onward to Byron Bay, where guests can disembark to explore the iconic beach town at their own pace. And on the return journey to Sydney, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins – they’re known to frequent the Kooragang Wetlands near Newcastle, which guests visit on a lunch cruise on the final day.

Golden West

winery experience in new south wales
Jump off the train for a winery experience. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

Travelling through the Golden West by rail is like stepping into a Frederick McCubbin painting – a nod to the golden era of rail travel. This five-day journey evokes the era of Australian Impressionism, passing through some of the country’s most painterly landscapes while tracing a path through history.

Starting in Sydney, the train makes its way to the Hawkesbury River, where the train crosses a historic rail bridge over the bronze, glassy waters below. Guests disembark here to cruise the brackish inlet aboard a historic postal boat before returning to the train to continue into Gold Rush country. Ahead lie grand heritage towns and historic estates, including the 1870s Abercrombie House in Bathurst.

Special event journeys

meal onboard Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train
Enjoy all-inclusive dining and beverages on the way to special events. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

Regional NSW is home to some truly one-of-a-kind events, and Vintage Rail Journeys offers a memorable way to get there. Planning a trip to the Bathurst Repco 1000? Vintage Rail Journeys’ special itinerary combines accommodation, dining and transport into one seamless experience. Guests take the scenic route to Bathurst, where the train becomes a unique home base for the event, complete with transfers, all-inclusive dining and beverages, and three days of reserved grandstand seating before returning to Sydney Central Station.

For something a little more playful, guests can also join fellow Elvis enthusiasts on a special overnight journey to Parkes for the town’s iconic annual Elvis Festival. It’s a vintage rail journey – with a little added rock ‘n’ roll.

Step back into the golden age of rail travel at vintagerailjourneys.com.au.