The Orange Market Guide For Local Produce And More

For food lovers and casual browsers alike, these Orange regional markets will fill your basket with the best of the Central West.

There’s nothing like a market to relish the warmth of country hospitality. These excellent community markets are brimming with the nutrient-rich and well-tended produce of the region, as well as local wines, crafts and ready-to-eat treats. While Orange has its own monthly markets, if you’re spending time in the region, get along to further afield towns to soak up their unique market ambience and offerings.

Fresh produce for sale at the Dubbo Farmers Markets. — Stock your fridge full of the region’s freshest produce. (Image: Destination NSW)

1. Orange Farmers Market

With such an abundant cornucopia of produce in the Orange region, it’s little surprise the monthly Orange Farmers Market is a vibrant community event.

Food producer stalls at the Orange Farmers Market. — Find all manner of food producer stalls as you wander the market.(Image: Destination NSW)

You can be sure to fill your basket with the freshest, seasonal produce that has travelled only short distances to end up in your fridge.

Local honey from The Beekeeper's Inn available for purchaseat the Orange Farmers Market. — Try local honey from The Beekeeper’s Inn. (Image: Destination NSW)

There’s everything from artisan and organic breads to olive oils, eggs, gourmet preserves, fruit and vegetables and local wine and other alcoholic beverages. Come early, come hungry and stick around for a bargain at the end.

fresh pears available for purchase at the Orange FarmersMarket. — Pick up fresh pears at the Orange Farmers Market. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where: Naylor Pavilion Orange Showground
When: 8.30am–12pm the second Saturday of the month.

2. Rotary Markets of Orange

These fundraising markets held by the local Rotary Club are a great family event with proceeds going to worthy community causes. Browse the bric-a-brac and artisan products on sale from produce to toys, crafts and clothing, and enjoy snacks from one of the hot food stalls. There’s music and a genuinely warm and wonderful atmosphere of country spirit.

Where: Orange Showground
When: Held four times a year, check website for next date.

3. Millthorpe Markets

One for the calendar, this bi-annual market fills the village of Millthorpe with a carnival-like atmosphere. A fund-raising event by the Millthorpe Public School this event seemingly involves the whole community. Bring your gold coin donation and come along for delicious food and more than 250 stalls selling all manner of wares from produce and plants to clothes, jewellery, woodwork and arts and crafts. Grab a coffee and a cake from the school’s stall and watch the kids on the jumping castle and rides.

Where: Redmond Oval, Millthorpe – 24 minutes from Orange.
When: Twice a year, usually on the first Sunday of April and December.

4. Bathurst Farmers Market

Sharing the same volcanic soils that have enriched Orange’s vineyards, Bathurst is equally rich with the produce of the region. This community market is run by the Lion’s Club and held at the Bathurst Showgrounds, welcoming all with a variety of stalls from fruit and veg to meat, poultry and eggs, as well as bread, cheeses, jams, alcohol and even cosmetics. If you’re visiting Orange, but have missed out on the farmers market there, it’s worth a detour to Bathurst to sample the flavours of the central west.

Fruit stand at Bathurst Markets — Fill a bag full of fresh apples to snack on as you wander the markets in Bathurst.

Where: 1 Kendall Avenue, Bathurst – 49 minutes from Orange.
When: 8am–12pm the fourth Saturday of the month

5. Cowra Community Markets

If you’re taking a drive in the region, make Cowra the destination on the third Saturday of the month. This community market is a medley of produce and crafts with stallholders peddling everything from face painting and leather goods to crystals and coffee. There’s music, coffee and a fun fete-style atmosphere to enjoy.

Locally made beverages for sale at Cowra Markets — Find locally made treats for sale at the Cowra markets.

Where: Sid Kallas Oval, Cowra – one hour and 10 minutes from Orange
When: 8am–12pm the third Saturday on the month.

6. Dubbo Farmers Market

If you’re adding a detour to Dubbo, be sure to lock in a trip to the town’s farmers market to pick up provisions for a drive back to Orange.

Locals shopping for fresh produce at the Dubbo FarmersMarket. — Join the locals shopping for fresh produce at the Dubbo Farmers
Market. (Image: Destination NSW)

This regional market is well-supplied with goodies to entice hungry home cooks, from breads, fruits and vegetables to eggs, meats and honey. Arrive early and enjoy breakfast and good coffee at the market before you begin browsing.

Locals farmers with their famous Narromine oranges at the Dubbo Farmers Market. — Meet locals farmers and pick up a bunch of their famous Narromine oranges. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where: Macquarie Lions Park, Dubbo – one hour and 48 minutes from Orange
When: 8am–12pm the first and third Saturday of the month.

Fresh kombucha for sale at the Dubbo Farmers Markets. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Forbes Farmers Market

A visit to this leafy, heritage town set on the Lachlan River is a worthy addition to a central west itinerary and if you can align it with the monthly farmers market , you’ll also be treated to a charming community market in the park. Grab a bacon and egg roll and go for a stroll to take in the wares of stallholders, such as pickles, produce pet treats and charcuterie.

Where: Victoria Park, Forbes – one hour and 21 minutes from Orange.
When: 8am–12pm the fourth Saturday of each month.

For more ways to taste the region, read our guide to the top restaurants in Orange, start your day at the town’s best cafes and visit a brewery or distillery door.

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

This is the top Orange market guide for local produce and more