8 of the best Port Macquarie markets to aimlessly wander

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Embrace sea-to-stall produce, locally crafted treats and a warm, relaxed ambience at the best Port Macquarie markets. 

The NSW North Coast dazzles with fresh, coastline-coddled indulgences — the only issue you’ll run into is sampling them all in a single trip. Cue a top-notch collective of Port Macquarie markets, stacked with the region’s most sensational produce in one convenient spot, as well as boho-inspired and vintage fashion, thoughtful gifts, crafty accessories and beach-inspired interiors to help take your holiday home with you. Grab the reusable shopping bags — your market trail starts here. 

1. Real Food Markets 

Real Food Markets
Score the best deals from local artisans.

Consider yourself a true local if dropping into Real Food Markets is on your to-do list. One of the few Port Macquarie markets to pop up weekly, the buzzing haven of locally grown fruit and veg, locally blended condiments, baked goodies, pasture-raised meat and eggs, and vivid blooms, is a one-stop shop for foodies. Whether you’re scheming the week’s groceries for your exceptional Port Macquarie accommodation or just keen to check out what nearby farmers are renowned for, this spot is always rewarding.  

Where: Glasshouse Forecourt, corner Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie 

When: Every Tuesday, 12pm – 5pm 

2. Port Macquarie Art Society Markets 

Another weekly event to add to your itinerary, the Port Macquarie Art Society Markets are staged within the heritage grounds of Hamilton House — so visiting offers a bonus historical immersion, too. There’s always locally made arts and crafts to comb through, plus there’s often homemade food and condiments, and a scattering of local produce. This Port Macquarie market is an initiative run by the local art society which brings together the region’s most established and budding creative talents to showcase their work and develop their craft. 

Where: Hamilton House, 198 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie 

When: Every Sunday, 8am – 1pm 

3. Kendall Bazaar 

Kendall Bazaar
Shop handcrafted goodies for a cause.

Less than 30 minutes’ drive south of Port Macquarie lies the Kendall Bazaar , a weekly market organised by local volunteers to raise funds for the suburb’s much-adored community centre. Unsurprisingly, community spirit flows freely as local artisans, suppliers and farmers converge to sell peak produce, bric-a-brac, hand-made clothing, relishes, sauces and additional spoils. There’s also coffee and cake on hand, plus undercover spots to sit back and savour your morning tea peacefully. 

Where: Kendall Community Centre, 19 Comboyne St, Kendall 

When: Every Thursday, 9am – 12pm 

4. The Foreshore Market 

The Foreshore Market
There’s something for everyone, from food to clothes and plants.

Moving on to the semi-regular Port Macquarie markets, The Foreshore Market is a local institution, showcasing the beautiful handiwork of local creatives to the soundtrack of regular live music. The setting itself is also a drawcard, right up against the shimmering Hastings River, but it’s typically this event’s signature chilled out vibes that keep visitors flocking. Expect endless temptations spanning gourmet baked goods and meals, fresh produce and flowers, vintage fashion, jewellery, arts and crafts and more.  

Where: Westport Park, 18 Park St, Port Macquarie 

When: 2nd Saturday of every month, 9am – 2pm 

5. Wauchope Farmers Market 

Wauchope Farmers Market
Find handcrafted treasures for gifting others or yourself.

You’ll need to jump in the car for about 20 minutes and head inland but the journey to Wauchope Farmers Market is worth it. A magnet for the most acclaimed local farmers and producers, the low-key hot spot features delicious locally sourced ingredients including fresh seafood, arts and crafts, native flowers and plants and the odd clothing stall. Breakfast and quality coffee are also dished up to crowds that thoroughly explore the space each and every month.   

Where: Wauchope Showground, 93a High Street, Wauchope 

When: 4th Saturday of every month, 8am – 12pm 

6. Laurieton Riverwalk Markets 

Laurieton Markets
The market has been operating for two decades now.

Another Hastings region winner about 30 minutes’ drive from Port Macquarie proper is the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets , located south of town. Pulling thick crowds to the boardwalk of Camden Haven River once a month, the market has been running for more than 20 years — so consider it a shoppers’ non-negotiable. The stalls are slick, offering charming handmade homewares, crockery, fashion, records, sweets, hot food, quirky collectables and more. There are about 200 stalls in total, so get there early to scan the entire lot at a real snail’s pace.  

Where: Corner Tunis and Short Streets, Laurieton 

When: 3rd Sunday of every month, 8am — 1pm 

7. Johns River Country Market 

Johns River Country Market
Pick up a range of old wares, homemade items, local crafts, paintings, folk art, leadlight ornaments, and plants. (Image: Joe Godwin)

Set across spacious, grassy grounds in the rural suburb of Johns River, the Johns River Country Market offers a little teaser into the charms of this tight-knit community. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Port Macquarie’s town centre, but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts via a string of stalls that have been operating for more than 25 years. You’ll find vintage collectables, homemade arts and craft, local fruit and veg, bric-a-brac and Devonshire Tea offered by the Trustees of the Johns River Community Hall. There’s also a playground on hand to tire out your littlies. 

Where: Johns River Community Hall & Recreation Reserve, Johns River Rd, Johns River 

When: 2nd Saturday of every month, 8am – 12.30pm 

8. Crescent Head Community Markets 

Crescent Head Community Markets
Quirky items await market visitors. (Image: Donna Amber)

Venture up north for just under an hour to discover one of the prettiest markets in the region. The once-monthly Crescent Head Community Markets pulls visitors from all over the coast so expect a mix of laidback locals and holidaymakers. Handmade clothing, homewares, jewellery and other decorative treasures are the speciality here, while home-grown produce (including fresh seafood), jams and preserves, surf gear (you’re right on the beach, after all), and second-hand items are also dotted throughout. 

Where: Crescent Head Beach Reserve, Reserve Rd, Crescent Head 

When: 2nd Sunday of every month, 8am – 1pm 

Discover the best Port Macquarie 

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 time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

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Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

 

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3. The city as a canvas   

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month  to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.