A Must-Read Guide To Brisbane Markets

Stock up on one-of-a-kind artisanal treasures and top-notch produce at the most plentiful Brisbane markets.

Peak fruit and vegetables enriched with reliably subtropical conditions. Pieces for the home, and your wardrobe, you can’t find anywhere else. Brisbane markets are a wonderland for unique collectables and spoils. Follow our list of the best to find one near you.

1. The Collective Markets

There’s really no escaping The Collective Markets at South Bank, one of Brisbane’s most popular visitor attractions, and even if you’ve wandered the stretch before, there’s always something shiny and new to stickybeak. As the name suggests, you’ll find arts and crafts, fashion, homewares and gifts galore at this Brisbane institute, plus there are always a few stalls dedicated to organic produce, condiments and the sweetest of treats.

When: Fridays from 5pm to 9pm, Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays from 9am to 4pm.
Address: Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane

2. West End Markets

Grab your morning elixir and seize the shade of a glorious Moreton Bay Fig tree at the West End Markets . It’s a relaxed way to kick off the weekend and once you’ve awakened bleary early eyes, there’s a maze of freshly farmed produce, second-hand books, local arts and crafts and delectable treats to navigate.

crowds of people shopping at West End Markets — Kick off the weekend at West End Markets. (Image: Supplied)

When: Saturdays from 6am to 1pm.
Address: Davies Park at Montague Road and Jane Street, West End

3. Brisbane Genki Market

Get your Japandi fix at the Brisbane Genki Market , a hipster-cool laneway market that celebrates the best of Asian, especially Japanese, cuisine and crafty local makers. Naturally, you’ll find exceptional street food to transport you to the corners of your favourite cosmopolitan city plus there’s an impressive collection of plants, homewares, jewellery, art and vintage collectables. Takoyaki fans — those puffy Japanese octopus balls are also beckoning.

people browsing through the items for sale at Genki Market, Brisbane — Make a beeline for the hipster-cool laneway Brisbane Genki Market. (Image: Supplied)

When: Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
Address: 123 Charlotte Street, Brisbane

4. Riverside Markets

A laidback market surrounded by lush plant life, Brisbane’s Riverside Markets offers a beautiful morning out. Located within the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, the space is awakened through live music and plenty of fabulous stall-wandering fodder including international food, local arts and crafts and various coffee options. Even if you don’t spend a cent, this Brisbane market’s unique tranquillity often wins hearts.

When: Sundays from 8am to 3pm.
Address: Corner of Alice Street and Albert Street, Brisbane

5. Brisbane Suitcase Rummage

Nestled at the foot of the Victoria Bridge, around the corner from W Brisbane, lies a quirky Brisbane market dedicated to savvy fashion, vintage and bric-a-brac lovers.

The Brisbane Suitcase Rummage is exactly what it sounds like and while some vendors push the concept of a single suitcase into more of a truckload, there’s always plenty of gems to be found once you’re on your hands and knees. Don’t let the hard work deter you – designer labels are often spotted.

vintage items on display at Brisbane Suitcase Rummage — Get your hands on unique and limited edition gems at Brisbane Suitcase Rummage. (Image: Jorge Serra)

When: The first and third Sunday of every month from 12pm to 5pm.
Address: Reddacliff Place, Queen Street, Brisbane

6. Jan Powers Farmers Market

Love cooking with seasonal ingredients? The Jan Powers Farmers Market is a sensory overload, brimming with quality produce and irresistible aromas.

farmgate flowers at Jan Powers Farmers Market — Select flowers fresh from the farm at Jan Powers Farmers Market. (Image: Rick Gates)

The Brisbane market launched more than 30 years ago and is readily considered the city’s first farmers’ market, leading to two additional venues in Manly and Mitchelton. Roam the dog-friendly set-up, located on the forecourt of Brisbane Powerhouse, one of Brisbane’s best art galleries, for stellar butchers, bakers, farmers and artisans, each armed with mouth-watering creations.

the artisan bread box at Jan Powers Farmers Market — Devour baked goods on offer at Jan Powers Farmers Market. (Image: Rick Gates)

When: Saturdays from 6am to 12pm.
Address: Lamington Street, New Farm

7. Northey Street Organic Farmers Market

Another fresh produce market flowing with great vibes, Northey Street Organic Farmers Market is part of any Windsor local’s (ideal) weekend ritual. Comb the relaxed stalls for all your favourite vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, seafood, dairy, meats and carbs plus ethical gifts and homewares. There are even eco-conscious clothes and jewellery if you’re really in the mood to flex your card.

people shopping at Northey Street Organic Farmers Market — Spend your Sunday picking up fresh produce at Northey Street Organic Farmers Market. (Image: Supplied)

When: Sundays from 6am to 11am.
Address: 54 Northey Street, Windsor

8. Redcliffe Markets

If the sun’s shining, get moving to Redcliffe Markets overlooking the golden sands of Redcliffe Beach in Brisbane’s north. It’s a picture-perfect morning call filled with stellar coffee, great fruit and veg, artisan condiments and gifts and some good quality breakfast options inspired by far-flung corners of the globe. Grab your favourite flakey/saucy delight and sit out by the water for shimmering views.

crowds of people shopping at Redcliffe Markets — Redcliffe Markets has something for everyone. (Image: Supplied)

When: Sundays from 8am to 2pm from March to November, and Sundays from 7am to 1pm from December to February.
Address: Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe

9. Eat Street North Shore

Brisbane night markets make the most out of the city’s long, warm evenings and Eat Street North Shore is one of the standouts. Located right on the banks of the Brisbane River, it’s an epic location to get lost in a maze of fairy-lit, neon-splashed stalls spanning every imaginable international cuisine. Dialling up the fun further are several stages dedicated to local and touring bands and performers, making it a sure-fire great night out no matter when you visit.

Eat Street North Shore market in Brisbane — Eat Street North Shore is a standout Brisbane market. (Image: Supplied)

When: 4pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 4pm to 9pm on Sundays.
Address: 221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton

10. Love Me Again Market

Fashion fanatics can find a pre-loved bargain (or few) at the Love Me Again Market set across two venues in Brisbane. Browse the racks for a seriously good selection of designer labels spanning clothing, accessories, shoes, handbags and beyond. There’s also a handful of food stalls and coffee options to help fuel this ultra-stylish shopping expedition.

people browsing through the clothes on display at Love Me Again — Squeeze in for some great fashion finds at the Love Me Again Market. (Image: Supplied)

When: Sundays from 8am to 12pm.
Address: 31 Wolverhampton Street, Stafford and 46 Douglas Street, Milton

11. Saturday Fresh Market

It’s a 20-minute drive from the CBD but journeying out to Saturday Fresh Market on the weekend is always worth a little effort. Boasting Brisbane’s largest collection of food (spanning deli delights, fresh produce, baked treats, delicious cheese and more), the undercover space is home to more than 100 individual stalls. There are plenty of other locally crafted, or locally sourced, gems but it’s best known for its food-driven hauls, so find some reusable shopping bags – you’ll need them.

the fresh produce stalls inside Saturday Fresh Market, Brisbane — The Saturday Fresh Market boasts Brisbane’s largest collection of food. (Image: Supplied)

When: Saturdays from 6am to 12pm.
Address: 385 Sherwood Road, Rocklea

12. Brisbane Flower Market

Bringing the most beautiful (and affordable) blooms to the city, the Brisbane Flower Market houses five flower wholesalers and florists and also opens its doors to the public.

the view in front of Brisbane Flower Market — Head to the Brisbane Flower Market from Monday to Saturday. (Image: Supplied)

Be it decorating your weekend soiree or fitting out the wedding of your dreams, this Brisbane market is crammed with the prettiest of peak seasonal varieties, making it impossible to leave empty-handed. There’s designated parking right out the front of the market so getting your bounty into your car quick sticks is surprisingly straightforward.

Fresh flowers at Brisbane Flower Market — Pick fresh blooms at Brisbane Flower Market. (Image: Supplied)

When: 4.30am to 3pm on Mondays and Thursdays; 5am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Address: 385 Sherwood Road, Rocklea

13. Global Food Markets

Exotic produce gems are an absolute must-purchase at Brisbane’s Global Food Markets where multicultural influences fuse to create a diverse one-stop shop. Think street food talents serving authentic cuisine and Greater Brisbane’s hard-working farmers rolling peak produce out the side of their trucks. Undoubtedly, it is the place to go to find international recipe ingredients that typically aren’t stocked in the major supermarkets.

When: Sundays from 6am to 12pm.
Address: Corner Croydon Road and Station Street, Woodridge

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

A must-read guide to Brisbane markets by suburb