Best Markets In Adelaide | Australian Traveller

There’s homemade produce, vintage finds and unique art and craft aplenty at these Adelaide markets.

We like to learn about a new place through their markets and there’s no shortage of them around Adelaide. The South Australian capital offers a vibrant range of markets for visitors and locals alike to meander through for fresh produce and unique finds while discovering new corners of the city.

From handcrafted artisan gifts, vintage finds and local produce, we’ve put together a guide of Adelaide’s best markets to peruse.

CBD

Adelaide Central Market

The Adelaide Central Market is the beating heart of South Australia’s food scene with over seventy fresh produce traders and cafes.

Voted one of the world’s top food markets, the 140-year-old Adelaide icon isn’t standing still getting a refresh with new redevelopment that will add more retail space, residences, a hotel and a Market Square.

Wander up and down, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. Buy a French pastry at Les Deux Coqs, stock up at the Smelly Cheese Shop, and get your fresh produce at the number of fruit and veg, meat and seafood stalls dotted around. Refuel at Lucia’s with a steaming bowl of pasta, grab a bowl of fragrant spiced lentil and carrot soup at Le Souk, or a bowl of mussels at Si Sea.

Address: 44/60 Gouger St, Adelaide

Opening hours: Tuesday 7am – 5:30pm, Wednesday: 9am – 5.30pm (selected traders only), Thursday: 9am – 5.30pm, Friday: 7am – 9pm, Saturday: 7am – 3pm

Adelaide Farmers Market

Meet the farmers that fuel South Australia at the weekly Sunday farmers market in Wayville. Source culinary inspiration for the week ahead whilst supporting local seasonal and sustainable produce.

Over 100 fresh produce traders are spread out inside one of the showground pavilions and outside, baring their wares including Kangaroo Island scallops, Barossa dairy, Alpaca meat and Riverland citrus fruits from farm to plate.

Grab a coffee and make a beeline to Poh’s Kitchen stall (usually located inside the pavilion) for one of her famed pies – rustic buttery pastry with mouth-watering fillings like Country-style chicken and vegetarian. The array of biscuits, slices and tarts are hard to resist.

With musicians, plenty of grass to spread out and enjoy a picnic (dogs in tow) – this is a carefree way to ease into your Sunday.

Address: Rose Terrace, Wayville

Opening hours: Sunday 8:30am – 12:30pm

Ebenezer Night Markets

Ebenezer Place, Adelaide — Ebenezer Night Markets come alive with festoon lighting and live music. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The east end of Rundle Street transforms on balmy summer evenings for the Ebenezer Night Markets.

Laneways come alive with live music late into the night and a heady mix of artisan craft stalls and food stalls, with over forty traders jostling for space alongside pop-up gin bars and the smells of sizzling street food.

Address: 31 Ebenezer Pl, Adelaide

Opening hours: Selected dates December – March 5:30pm – 10pm

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Plant 4 Bowden

This vibrant twice-weekly night market set in the industrial setting of former factory Plant 4 Bowden is just outside the Adelaide CBD in Bowden.

Vintage clothing and beauty stalls share space with local musicians, offering an upbeat way to spend an evening with locals. Food highlights include Shirni Parwana, an Afghan-inspired Adelaide icon, offering sweet treats to tempt you.

Address: 5 Third St, Bowden

Opening hours: Wednesday and Friday 5 – 9pm

WEST

Henley Square Markets

Once a month, Henley Beach is a-buzz with traders for the Henley Square Markets settling in for the best Sunday sea views in town while offering an eclectic range of clothing, craft and jewellery stalls.

Dogs are welcome to accompany you as you sample local Adelaide gin, pick up a freshly-made cannoli or find the perfect birthday gift.

Henley Square has a smorgasbord of dining options including Greek, Mexican and Thai. Stay long enough and you can watch a spectacular Southern Ocean sunset.

Address: Henley Beach, South Australia

Opening hours: Sunday 8am – 4pm

Markets at the Mill

Located within the historic Hart’s Mill in Port Adelaide, this monthly market has it all from homemade doughnuts and jams to homemade quilts, crochet animals, cards and art, this market is homely and creative.

There are plenty of kids’ activities and a playground around the corner for entertainment. Grab a coffee, toastie or crepe from the food trucks outside and sit and watch for dolphins in the Port River.

Address: 9A Mundy St, Port Adelaide

Opening hours: Usually every fourth Sunday of the month

Friday to Sunday: 10am – 3pm

SOUTH

The Original Open Market

A 45-minute drive south of Adelaide CBD you’ll come to the seaside suburb of Christies Beach which is fringed by some of the best beaches in Adelaide. The unpretentious The Original Open Market is one of Adelaide’s oldest with a selection of stalls selling plants, bric-à-brac, and baked goods. Perfect for those trash-to-treasure finds.

Address: 121 Beach Rd, Christies Beach

Opening hours: 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month 8am – 1pm

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EAST

Bowerbird

Only on twice a year but worth timing a visit to coincide, Bowerbird is Adelaide’s premier design market. Meet contemporary designers and browse high-end handcrafted jewellery, clothes and homewares from across Australia.

Browse high-end handcrafted jewellery at Bowerbird.

The November market is the ideal inspiration for those hard-to-get Christmas presents; the biggest challenge will be not maxing out the credit card on bougie beautiful things.

Head to Bowerbird for a wardrobe makeover.

Address: Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Rd, Wayville

Opening hours: Twice annually usually May and November.

Magill Rotary Market

The Campbelltown Memorial Oval springs to life every second Sunday with the Magill Rotary Market. From plants to second-hand book stalls, all proceeds go to charity so you’re likely to leave with a warm and fuzzy glow.

If you have a favourite item that’s looking worse for wear, bring it along and The Repair Café can teach you how to fix it.

Address: Fisher St, Magill

Opening hours: Every second Sunday 9am – 2pm

The Wilunga Farmers Market

Looking further afield The Willunga Farmers Market is a popular Saturday morning produce market 45 minutes’ drive from Adelaide CBD providing the perfect excuse to escape the city and enjoy some wineries in Mclaren Vale.

Take a leisurely stroll through the stalls and sample delicious locally-grown produce like honey, small goods and homemade sweets. Stock up for a picnic lunch or stop off somewhere nearby like Pizzateca.

Address: High School, Main Rd, Willunga

Opening hours: Sunday 8am – 1pm

Planning a trip to Adelaide? Check out more of our recommendations here:

Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.

Just a year after the 78-room Monarto Safari Resort opened, the new Safari Lodge brings a more intimate and exclusive overnight African safari experience to Australia just outside of Adelaide. But just how similar is it to an African safari?

Consider these pinch-me moments I had during my stay and decide for yourself.

1. Cheetah sightings at check-in

monarto safari lodge cheetahs — Spot cheetahs before you even check in.

Safari Lodge is set within the Wild Africa precinct of the expansive, open-range Monarto Safari Park. I expected to see animals, but I didn’t expect to see two cheetahs stalking the fenceline just behind my tent at check-in.

I cross the paddock to get a closer look. Both are now perched like a sphinx on a hill overlooking the 20 premium tents that make up Safari Lodge. I stand here, locked in place, waiting to see if they make a move. After 10 minutes like this, I turn to get settled into the tent but throw a final look in their direction; they’ve slinked back down, now barely visible in the grass. I’m sure I’ll be dreaming about this encounter later tonight.

2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole

giraffes at monarto safari lodge — Enjoy champagne while meeting the locals. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

The all-inclusive stay includes a 2.5-hour Sunset Safari that takes guests into the Wild Africa precinct onboard a purpose-built Safari Land Cruiser for a chance to see free-roaming herds of African animals up close.

The safari drive culminates in a champagne and canapé stop in a fenced and sheltered viewing area of the precinct. A chance to watch the sun set as animals gather around one of the many waterholes. And we’re in luck! Two giraffes are stripping leaves from a nearby tree as three white rhinos graze to my right. One giraffe starts galloping, in that funny head-bobbing way giraffes do, to the water’s edge. It splays its legs and bends its long neck down to start slurping up water. I find giraffes endlessly entertaining, and sipping champagne while watching the scene play out is the icing on the cake.

3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather

monarto safari lodge King Safari Tent — Enjoy views from the King Safari Tent.

I am staying in tent 17, one of the best positioned tents for animal encounters, due to its proximity to the waterhole. Not only does the spacious 71-square-metre King Safari Tent feature a king bed, lounge area, separate dressing room with kitchenette, coffee machine, kettle and fully stocked mini bar, and ensuite bathroom. But you can even glimpse the waterhole from the rain shower. It’s thoughtful details like this that keep you connected to the safari experience no matter where you are located.

4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome

Lion 360 experience at monarto safari resort — Step into the Lion 360 experience. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

Monarto Safari Park isn’t a zoo. Set across 1500 hectares of South Australian bushland, it’s an expansive safari experience. It’s been designed to support complex social groupings, natural behaviours and long-term species management. Entry is included for guests, but I’ve decided to upgrade my experience with tickets to Lion 360.

Senior Keeper Rachel Hemming herds 15 of us into a domed cage for the unique lion feeding experience. She leads Monarto’s care and conservation breeding programs for their iconic big cats. “Make sure you don’t get too close to the edge of the cage; the lions like to mark their territory,” she warns.

She starts making cat-like calls to Kubwa, Kashka and Kito, the three male lions lazing somewhere out of sight behind the tree line in the distance. The promise of food eventually lures the lions over. I’m in awe of their size as they pace back and forth, pausing to take the meat as it’s fed to them via tongs.

In her excitement, one lady has inched too close; a lion takes aim and hits his mark before she realises her mistake. I see her leaving the gift shop with a new jacket not long after the tour ends.

5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board

Monarto safari Lodge swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board — Tuck into a poolside treat. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

The Safari Lodge reception is also home to a restaurant and bar, heated swimming pool and several private plunge pools available to book. After a morning spent at Monarto Safari Park, a dip in one of the private plunge pools sounds too good to skip.

I change into my swimmers and make my way to the lodge. A generous charcuterie board arrives shortly after I slip into the pool. I’m told floating trays are already on order, but picking at the selection of cheeses, meats, nuts and fruit while perched on the edge sipping champagne is just as indulgent as it is having it float in the water. I never make it to the gym or pickleball court beside the lodge, but I have no regrets.

6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females

male rhino grazing — Watch a rhino’s unlucky day. (Credit: Lucas Alexander)

Louis Tonkin, our Wild Africa Tour host, is giddy with excitement when he spots the three white rhinos on our Sunset Safari drive. He has an inkling that we’re about to get a show.

He pulls to the side and tells us what terrible eyesight white rhinos have, struggling to spot a motionless animal or object even from a short distance. However, they make up for it with acute hearing and an incredible sense of smell. Which explains why the larger male rhino is methodically creeping towards the two disinterested females grazing metres in front of him, then suddenly freezing on the spot. He’s hoping one will be open to mating with him. He takes another wary shuffle forward and suddenly the smaller of the two turns and charges towards him, butting him hard with her head. It’s a firm no. The male, denied, sheepishly backs away.

7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent

monarto safari resort zebra — Wildlife encounters abound.

Rain clouds loom, and the wind is howling, but thankfully it hasn’t deterred the zebras. I’m brewing a cup of Monarto’s Serengé-T – a vanilla rooibos blended with Daintree black tea and butterfly pea flower when I spot them. Six zebras are prancing across the plains for a drink at the waterhole. I watch their antics from the deck of my King Safari Tent, wrapped in a merino blanket made by Australian-owned Grampians Good Co. and marvel at the fact I get a front-row show to these wild animals.

After they disappear from view, I sit with the sketch pad and pencils I find in the cupboard and start drawing some of my most memorable animal encounters from the weekend – starting with the two hippos I saw ravenously munching on grass at dusk as we made our way out of the Wild Africa precinct last night. This really is as close to an authentic safari experience as you can get outside of Africa.

Start planning a wild stay in the luxurious Safari Lodge at monartosafariresort.com.

A must-read guide to the best markets in Adelaide

There’s homemade produce, vintage finds and unique art and craft aplenty at these Adelaide markets.

CBD

Adelaide Central Market

Adelaide Farmers Market

Ebenezer Night Markets

Plant 4 Bowden

WEST

Henley Square Markets

Markets at the Mill

SOUTH

The Original Open Market

EAST

Bowerbird

Magill Rotary Market

The Wilunga Farmers Market

Planning a trip to Adelaide? Check out more of our recommendations here:

12 of the best cafes in Adelaide, from hidden gems to local favourites

Adelaide Central Market to double in size, with 53 new vendors to set up shop

The best things to do in Adelaide on your next jaunt

A guide to the must-visit Adelaide art galleries and museums

7 pinch-me moments I had at the new Monarto Safari Lodge

Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.

1. Cheetah sightings at check-in

2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole

3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather

4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome

5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board

6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females

7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent

There’s homemade produce, vintage finds and unique art and craft aplenty at these Adelaide markets.

CBD

Adelaide Central Market

Adelaide Farmers Market

Ebenezer Night Markets

AI Prompt

Plant 4 Bowden

WEST

Henley Square Markets

Markets at the Mill

SOUTH

The Original Open Market

EAST

Bowerbird

Magill Rotary Market

The Wilunga Farmers Market

Planning a trip to Adelaide? Check out more of our recommendations here:

12 of the best cafes in Adelaide, from hidden gems to local favourites

Adelaide Central Market to double in size, with 53 new vendors to set up shop

The best things to do in Adelaide on your next jaunt

A guide to the must-visit Adelaide art galleries and museums

Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.

1. Cheetah sightings at check-in

2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole

3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather

4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome

5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board

6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females

7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent