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

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .

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