04 April 2024
7 mins Read
A visit to Merimbula markets is a must for roadtrippers. In fact, it’s a great excuse to explore more of the NSW South Coast. Here’s our guide to the many markets in and around Merimbula.
This urban farm at Club Sapphire Merimbula grows local and seasonal produce on top of the undercover car park on the old bowling green of Club Sapphire. Farm on the Green attracts Merimbula locals on a mission to lower their food miles and invest in chemical and pesticide-free produce. Staying in Merimbula for a few weeks? You can buy fresh produce from the farm gate every Sunday. And you can also participate in regular working bees to maintain the rooftop garden.
Where: On top of the Club Sapphire, Main Street, Merimbula
When: Sundays 9.30am–11am
Merimbula hums with young hipster energy. You might have seen them the night before serving up natural wines at Bar Superette, one of the best bars in Merimbula. Or heading out for a surf at nearby Main Beach earlier that morning. They’re also here being all wholesome picking up fresh produce in their overalls. In addition to selling fresh produce, Merimbula Rotary Market has jewellery, plants, books, crafts and curios. It also has a playground, ocean-viewing platforms, BBQ and picnic area.
Where: Ford Park, Merimbula (between Fishpen’s and Main Beach)
When: Third Sunday of every month; 8am–noon
Candelo Markets draws a convivial local crowd who come to talk, shop and gossip. Artists, writers, farmers, tree-changers converge here in an unapologetically country aesthetic of floppy hats and Blundstones.
BYO picnic rug and sprawl alongside them on the lawn at Loftus Park to enjoy riverside performances by roaming musicians and entertainers. After refuelling on great food and coffee, fill your basket to the brim with seasonal produce designed to inspire that day’s dinner.
Where: William St, Candelo (Town Hall and Loftus Park)
When: First Sunday of every month; from 8.30am
No trip to Merimbula is complete without a side trip to Pambula Village Market where the cast of local characters look like extras on The Drover’s Wife. The first place to pause is at the absolutely iconic sausage sizzle, which supports the Rotary Club of Pambula. Pick up preserves, pickles, jams, saucy spices, olive oil, meat, seafood and cakes. The market also sells upcycled clothing, hand-carved leather goods, jewellery and bric-a-brac.
Where: Toallo St, Pambula (on the local sportsground)
When: Second Sunday of every month; 8am-1pm
Wend along the quiet streets of Wyndham to find this charming all-weather village market located far from the crazed honking of highway traffic. Freshen up on the town’s very own specialty coffee blend while listening to the delightful warbling of the local muso of the month. Many of those selling produce at Wyndham Village Market belong to generations of farmers selling seasonal specialties. The market also sells crafts and homemade treats such as jams and sauces.
Where: Cnr Clarke & Gordon Streets, Wyndham
When: Fourth Sunday of every month; 8.30am-1pm
The Bega Valley is known as being one of NSW’s most bountiful food bowls. And Bermagui Market should be on every NSW South Coast road trip itinerary. The fact it’s held at the scenic grounds of Dickinson Park makes it a picturesque place to hang out as much as buy fresh produce. In Bermagui, the market doubles as a hub as locals stop to chat in between wandering around the stalls selling fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are also homemade products and preserves. And the blissful setting comes with a sea breeze.
Where: Dickinson Park, Lamont St
When: Last Sunday of every month; from 8.30am-12.30pm
This vibrant seasonal market is the kind of place where fresh blooms of dahlias sit alongside ready-to-eat meals and arts and craft. It’s crawling with well-heeled Canberrans testing out the range of their new Teslas and filling their frunks (front trunks) with flowers and food.
Load up with the freshest seasonal vegetables from Field Bucket Farms, fermented foods from Faraway Farm Foods and Mystery Bay Kelp seasonings. Visiting the NSW South coast markets is one of the best things to do in Merimbula.
Where: Bermagui Country Club
When: Every Thursday, from October to April; 3.30pm–5.30pm
There’s nothing that washes away big-city life stressors than a mooch around a country market. There are a lot of great places to eat and drink in Merimbula. But there’s nothing more nostalgic than scarfing down a sausage with sauce at an Eden Community Market stall. Wander amid the pyramids of fruit and towering displays of vegetables. Check out the local crafts. Listen to lively music and spicy gossip. And fossick for a bargain amid the bric-a-brac.
Where: Chandos St, Eden
When: Third Saturday of the month.
Follow the food-obsessed to the Honorbread courtyard in Bunga St while on the hunt for new obsessions. Do a vox pop of a panel of local experts and you’ll find the pain au chocolat from Honorbread a fantastic version of this fine French fare. From then on, just freewheel about the space spending time to pause at the stalls that have become fixtures at The Little Market. Gather here for gluten-free goodies, goat’s milk soap, Bodalla cherries, salads and greens and full-cream Tilba Milk.
Where: Bunga St courtyard
When: 9am-noon
Big ups to Bega and its burgeoning list of growers and makers who have established one of the best markets on NSW’s Sapphire Coast. And hats off to the hardcore locals who shop here each week to support the local farmers. You see them arriving here at sun-up in a convoy of vans jam-packed with fresh produce. The goal with NSW South Coast markets such as this is to continue to educate consumers about where their food comes from. Buy a knitted beanie so you look the part.
Where: Littleton Gardens, Bega
When: Every Friday, 8am–1pm
Don’t forget your retro nanna trolley so you can move around the weekly farmers’ market in Cobargo with ease. Head to Cobargo after you’ve sorted your daily coffee needs in Merimbula so you’ll be good and ready to devour a few treats. Select a bunch of carrots. A chunky bouquet of broccolini. Procure some vintage vinyl. And then explore the town’s cool little eateries, galleries and heritage buildings.
Where: Main street of Cobargo
When: Every Saturday; 8am–1pm
The mission behind Nethercote Fresh Food Market is to encourage locals to grow their own food. The gardens supplying the produce vary from single beds to orchards and the produce is sold on the communal growers’ stall. The food is plucked the night before to ensure it’s in peak condition and the colourful fruit and vegetables on display are a feast for the senses. This market is about more than the produce. It’s about the people. Stay for the Market Hamper Raffle, which is drawn at noon each market day.
Where: Nethercote Hall, cnr of Nethercote and Back Creek Roads, Nethercote
When: Fourth Saturday of January, April, July, October; 8am–noon
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