The Best Coffs Harbour Markets: From Food Trucks to Pottery

The sunshine-y weather on the Mid North Coast makes Coffs Harbour markets a precious commodity year-round.

Coffs Harbour markets matter more than ever as a place for the community to connect and support the work of local farmers and artisan producers. On any given weekend, you will find crowds of Coffs Harbour locals browsing, chatting and shopping for everything from homewares to bric-a-brac and gourmet produce. Here are the Coffs Harbour markets that are a must-visit.

1. Woolgoolga Beach Market

Check Woolgoolga Beach Markets Facebook page to see which stalls you want to zero in on at this popular new market on the Coffs Coast. The monthly market is a potpourri of different colours, scents and sounds where everything from jewellery to clothing, candles and pottery is up for sale. Go full woo-woo at the Woopi Beach Markets with practitioners offering opportunities to reset during treatments that range from relaxation manoeuvres to energy healing with crystals. Have a dip in the ocean and then enjoy lunch at one of the food trucks dedicated to international cuisine.

When: The second Saturday of every month.
Where: 87 Beach Street, Woolgoolga

2. Harbourside Markets

a woman buying plants at Harbourside Markets — Find stalls selling plants, bric-a-brac and homewares.

Harbourside Markets are an institution in Coffs Harbour thanks to the water views all around. Head into the hubbub early – stalls open at 8am – to avoid the crowds and fossick for everything from vintage jackets and collectables to jewellery and custom art. You’ll also find stalls selling plants, bric-a-brac and homewares as well as gourmet produce. BYO picnic blanket and unfurl on the lawn for a spot of people-watching. The beachside boutique market also has food trucks selling go-to treats such as gozleme, loaded potatoes and hot dogs.

When: 8am to 2pm every Sunday
Where: Jetty foreshores, Coffs Harbour

3. Coffs Coast Growers Markets

This weekly market is split between farmers and growers who bring in their produce every Thursday. Coffs Harbour markets boast a wide variety of seasonal fruit and vegetables, everything from tomatoes, mushrooms, blueberries, sprouts and cabbage to potatoes, pumpkin and pineapples thanks to the region’s sun-drenched climes. Stock up on your farm-fresh produce at the Coffs Coast Growers Markets and supplement with pickles, preserves, baked goods, olive oil, eggs and more.

When: 8am to 2.30pm every Thursday
Where: City Square

4. Twilight Food Market

crowds of shoppers at Twilight Food Market, Coffs Harbour — Foodies flock to the Twilight Food Market.

Foodies unite near a crook of the Coffs Creek to visit these Coffs Harbour markets that happen in the heart of the Park Beach Reserve between September and April each year. The family-friendly Twilight Food Market is a maze of street-food stalls that span the globe from Indian to Italian and Middle Eastern. Expect lively music as well as kid-friendly treats as the sky fades from blue to black. Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the people-watching. Like all Coffs Harbour markets, it’s as much about commerce as community.

When: Every Friday from early September to the middle of April.
Where: Coffs Harbour Park Beach Reserve

5. Made with Love Markets

cacti for sale at Made with Love Markets — Find plants and ornaments for your home. (Image: Made with Love Markets)

The brief for vendors who want a stall at the quarterly Made with Love Markets is simple: everything produced must be made with love. When it comes to Coffs Harbour markets, this colourful undercover market attracts local artisans selling everything from hand-thrown pottery to bougee sandals hand-crafted from leather. Don your Blundstones and favourite beanie in order to fit in with the cool crowds being lured to the seasonal market.

When: March, May, August, December
Where: Coffs Harbour Showground

6. Glenreagh Markets

The Glenreagh Markets are a great place to stock up on local produce grown by local farmers and growers in the Orara Valley region. Make room in the esky for pickles, preserves, freshly picked herbs, relishes and chutneys. Visiting the market is a genuine community experience and popular with locals trawling for second-hand books, coins and collectables. Start your day here with a fresh Devonshire tea which arrives looking like ‘A day in the country’ on a plate.

When: First Saturday of the month (excluding January)
Where: 62 Coramba St, Glenreagh

7. Bellingen Growers Markets

organic mushrooms at Bellingen Growers Markets, Coffs Harbour — Find everything from organic mushrooms to seasonal local produce. (Image: Bellingen Growers Markets)

The friendly boho Bello types who flock to the Bellingen Growers Market are like walking advertisements for a tree change. Hundreds of locals and tourists go with the flow three Saturdays each month to find everything from medicinal mushroom powders to plants, flowers, organic sourdough, eggs, organic honey, seedlings and spices. Standout stalls include Boggy Creek Natives, Bello Beef, the Barefoot Farmer and The Patch Organics.

When: Open every Saturday, 7.30-11.30 am (except the third Saturday of the month)
Where: Bellingen Showgrounds, Corner of Black St & Hammond St

8. Bellingen Community Markets

hand-crafted bags for sale at Bellingen Community Markets, Coffs Harbour — The stalls feature local artisans selling hand-crafted bags.

Cool interactions with the community are a given at the Bellingen Community Markets . Expect purveyors clad in plaid. And a disproportionate amount of faux leopard-skin coats and dreadlocks per head per capita. There’s also a rotating line-up of live bands giving it a red-hot go in front of the local community of creatives and van-lifers passing through. The market has more than 200 stalls, which include purveyors of fresh produce and homemade treats, second-hand clothing stalls and bric-a-brac.

When: Third Saturday of every month
Where: Bellingen Park, corner of Church, Park and Ford Streets, Bellingen

9. City Centre Sunday Markets

fresh vegetables on offer at City Centre Sunday Markets, Coffs Harbour — Fill your basket with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. (Image: Getty/lzf)

Follow the signs to City Centre Sunday market in the rain, hail or shine every Sunday in the Castle Street car park. This undercover inner-urban Coffs Harbour market is an oasis for lovers of fresh food who gather here to do their weekly shop. The stallholders sell everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to honey, eggs and plants. You can also fossick for vintage vinyl, colourful hand-knit jumpers, beaded bags and books.

When: Every Sunday
Where: Castle St Car Park, Vernon St, Coffs Harbour

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 .

The best Coffs Harbour markets to visit: from food trucks to pottery