8 of the best Ballarat markets for one-of-a-kind pieces

Crammed with hard-to-replicate gems and infectious community spirit, every great Ballarat market is worth a morning’s exploration.

An immense Victorian city that maintains small-town country vibes, Ballarat is filled with unexpected charms. While you’ll spend days ticking off the best things to do in Ballarat, and far longer dining at the best restaurants, the enchanting soul of this city is best grasped at a market. Home to seasonal local produce, inspired entrepreneurial ventures and a ton of artisanal craft, these regular (or semi-regular) portals into the livelihood of Ballarat’s residents are nothing short of enthralling. Here, we round up the best Ballarat markets.

1. Ballarat Farmers Market

Two people shopping for vegetables at a market — Shop for fresh veggies.

If you can time your Ballarat holiday to the second or fourth Saturday of the month, you can kiss the task of supermarket stockpiling goodbye. The Ballarat Farmers Market is the ultimate go-to for organic fruit and vegetables, bread and pastries, meats, cheeses, eggs, snacks and even wine, so get there early for a complete spectrum of supplies. There on an empty stomach? Even better, as a coffee van will pour you a fix and hot food like dumplings, Gözleme, and bacon and egg rolls are also on hand. Don’t miss other highlights including kitchen accessories, native plants, homewares and treats for your pet.

Where: North Gardens Reserve, Lake Wendouree

When: Second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

2. The Bridge Market

A stall at The Bridge Market in Ballarat — Secure gourmet ingredients and delicacies. (Photo: Matt Dunne)

The buzz is unbeatable at The Bridge Market , which pops up along the retail mecca of Bridge Mall and houses a mixed bag of stallholders. It’s technically a farmer’s market, so bring your reusable shopping bags to secure gourmet ingredients and delicacies, but it draws a thick crowd of design lovers who comb the offerings for statement clothing, jewellery and accessories.

Where: Bridge Mall, Ballarat

When: First Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

3. The Design Exchange

the building exterior of Ballarat Mining Exchange — The innovative market is housed in the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange. (Image: Visit Victoria)

An absolute must-schedule if undiscovered artists and independent design talent inspires you, The Design Exchange is a melting pot of creativity. Children’s clothing and toys, gorgeous ceramics, fine jewellery, lounge room brighteners, homemade treats and so much more is bound to tempt you, plus you’re guaranteed to find months’ worth of hard-to-find gifts so don’t leave without stickybeaking every row.

Where: Ballarat Mining Exchange, 12 Lydiard St North, Ballarat

When: Twice annually, so check the website’s Info page for upcoming dates

4. Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market

memorabilia at Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market — Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market has over 80 stalls with vintage finds and serious collectables. (Image: Supplied)

Just a ten-minute drive east of the centre of town, the Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market is unlike any other market in the region. Flowing with vintage finds and serious collectables, stepping into the place feels as though you’re walking through the backdrop of Antiques Roadshow (and the likelihood of striking gold is quite possible, too). Furniture, antiques, old records, retro furnishings, and so more random treasure hunting awaits.

Where: 9367 Western Highway, Warrenheip

When: It’s open every day from 10am to 6pm

5. Avoca Riverside Market

people shopping at the stalls along Avoca Riverside Market, Ballarat — Potter around the stalls filled with baked goods and handmade crafts. (Image: Visit Melbourne)

An idyllic daytrip from Ballarat, less than one hour’s drive away, the Avoca Riverside Market is a charming collective of stalls. Set on the banks of Avoca River and dotted with river gums, the market invites aimless strolling — that is until you find the local Pyrenees vineyards offering wine tastings. Make a beeline for their stalls if you’re a sucker for top-notch drops (the Pyrenees region of Victoria is renowned for its big reds and sparklings) to help you find a new label to love. There’s also hot food, homewares, a few fruit and veg stalls and plants to peruse.

Where: Avoca River Flats, Cambridge and Dundas Sts, Avoca

When: Fourth Sunday of every month from 9am to 1pm

6. Ballan Farmers Market

a stall selling honey at Ballan Farmers Market — Find homemade goods from more than 25 stalls at Ballan Farmers Market. (Image: Patrick Bonello)

Run by volunteers determined to showcase their region’s stellar artisans and suppliers, the Ballan Farmers Market is a magnetic morning ritual located about half an hour from Ballarat. As live music lights up the inside of an old church, more than 25 stalls sell a mix of homemade foods and local produce, while the odd candle, soap or craft supplier also makes an appearance.

Where: St Paul’s Uniting Church, 73 Inglis St, Ballan

When: Second Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

7. Smythesdale Country Market

fresh raspberries at Smythesdale Country Market, Ballarat — Take home high-quality fresh fruit. (Image: Getty/JMichl)

A rural village boasting a tight-knit community, Smythesdale features a picture-perfect historical precinct and one of its biggest attractions is the monthly Smythesdale Country Market . You’ll need to zip about 15 minutes’ south-west of Ballarat, but a little road tripping is worth it as more than 40 stalls span super-fresh produce, native plants, artisanal creations and fun initiatives like a ‘beanie battle’ to inspire local craft types. Expect food trucks, coffee vans and plenty of hot food to help keep the good times kicking.

Where: Woady Yaloak Recreation Facility, Smythesdale

When: Third Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

8. Talbot Farmers Market

crowds at the Talbot Farmers Market, Ballarat — The bustling scene at the Talbot Farmers Market. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Drawing solid crowds monthly, the Talbot Farmers Market set the region alight when it burst onto the scene in 2004, serving as one of the first local farmers’ markets. Fast-forward 20-odd years and you’ll be rubbing shoulders with thousands, all equally as eager to uncover the suppliers who have inspired market replicas right throughout the Goldfields region. It goes without saying that BYO bags will be filled with the season’s most peak produce, while jams, chutneys, cheeses and other extremely delectable temptations can’t be ignored. It’s about a 40-minute drive north of Ballarat.

Where: 40 Scandinavian Cres, Talbot

When: Third Sunday of every month from 9am to 1pm

9. Creswick Market

A woman shopping at Creswick Market — Creswick Market is a buzzy hub of activity.

Get your four-legged pal on tour with you? Pile them into the car and set off 20 minutes’ north of Ballarat in search of Creswick Market . It’s a buzzy hub of activity once a month as stallholders sell everything from olive oils, sauces, jams and honey to arts and crafts, jewellery and clothing. There’s always live music to help set the scene, while a playground and lush gardens also serve to tire out little limbs.

Where: 19-21 Victoria St, Creswick

When: Third Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm

Discover the best places to stay in Ballarat

More than just a stopover, Albury Wodonga is an elevated city escape immersed in nature.

Perhaps best known as a road trip stop between Sydney and Melbourne, Albury Wodonga offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene that make it well worth its own journey.

Nestled on the banks of the mighty Murray River and surrounded by famed wine and gold rush regions, this riverside town packs a broad punch. Discover how best to spend your days on the border.

Exploring the Murray River

1. The Crossing Place Trail

woman looking at sculpture along Crossing Place Trail loop — Admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists.

Head to the original crossing places of the Murray River since 1848 – at the junctions of Bungambrawatha Creek and Oddies Creek. Today, these crossings are still used by cars and cattle, but the five-kilometre Crossing Place Trail loop connects the two bridges for bike riders and walkers.

Wander through gum trees, and maybe even spot local platypus and birdlife. Stop along the way to admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists, see evidence of a scar tree and learn about the importance of this billabong environment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2. Canoe The Murray

two people kayaking along the murray river at Noreuil Park — Hire canoes or kayaks and get out on the river.

What better way to get a feel for the Murray River than by getting out on its waters? Hire canoes or kayaks from Canoe the Murray , then explore solo or join one of the offered tours. Get up early for a Sunrise and coffee tour, watch the sun dip below the water on a sunset tour or choose one of several daytime trips.

Stand-up paddleboard hire and other water sports, fishing and swimming are also available to river explorers.

3. Noreuil Park Foreshore

aerial of Noreuil Park albury wodonga — Cool off at Noreuil Park Foreshore. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Just outside Albury’s CBD, the riverside Noreuil Park becomes a hub of activity as the weather heats up. Set up on picnic tables under shady trees, use the public barbecues (or pop into the nearby cafe) and cool off with a float down the river.

4. Mungabareena Reserve and Water Works

Mungabareena Reserve albury wodonga — Spend time at Mungabareena Reserve. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

Delve into nature and culture at the beautiful Mungabareena Reserve . Recognised by state law as a ‘Declared Aboriginal Place’, it was once a historical meeting point for trade and journeys to Mount Bogong for the local Wiradjuri people and still holds deep significance.

It’s another popular spot for fishing, swimming and picnics, while the nearby Water Works area is a great place for spotting wildlife. Try your luck seeing platypuses, wood ducks or rainbow bee-eaters.

Adventuring on Lake Hume

1. Walk the dam wall

parent and child look at the view from the damn wall walk at lake hume — Enjoy the view from the dam wall. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

The majestic Lake Hume – a massive man-made reservoir on the Murray River – was once the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere.

A great way to get acquainted is by walking along the dam wall, taking in views of outflows, electricity turbines and the transmission plant from above. Not to mention vistas of the lake and the Murray. It’s a particularly gorgeous spot for sunsets and sunrises.

A wide sealed walkway gives easy access to the wall, and informative signs and displays along the way educate on the dam’s construction.

2. The High Country Rail Trail

This 44-kilometre trail hugs the shoreline. Stop along the way at the historic town of Tallangatta, relocated to its current position in the 1950s after its original location was flooded. Cross the lake over the bright red Sandy Creek Bridge. Enjoy a lakeside picnic or go for a swim at Ebden, Ludlow’s or Huon Reserve.

3. Water sports

two people watching SUP boarders and a boat our on the water at lake hume — Dive into water sports on Lake Hume.

Lake Hume is a popular local spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. Drop a line or dive right into the clear waters.

Sip and Savour

1. Dux Albury

two people sitting at counter drinking wine inside Dux Albury — Sit down to delicious meals and wine at Dux.

Those looking for a high-end dining experience need to book a table at Dux Albury in the heart of Albury Wodonga. Sit down for curated wine lists, cocktails and share plates. Think starters like burrata with beetroot, chervil, caper berry and sherry, mains like Wagyu sirloin with Café De Paris, red wine and caramelised onions and all manner of fresh seafood.

2. Murray Towns Brewing Co.

people being served lunch at Murray Brewing Co. — Recharge at Murray Brewing Co.

Perched on the banks of the river, Murray Towns Brewing Co . has come a long way since two mates started experimenting in their backyard chook shed. With all beer brewed onsite and a sun-drenched beer garden to drink them in, it’s a perfect stop along a bike ride or walk.

3. Temperance and General

Step into Albury’s original laneway bar, Temperance and General . Set inside a historic building, but offering a modern vibe, the bar is locally famous for its cocktail list. Stop in before or after dinner for a creative tipple.

4. BeanStation Cafe

two people drinking coffee at Bean Station albury wodonga — Dine on a modern Australian menu.

Dine on a modern Australian menu , inside the historic Wodonga train station building, dating back to 1873. Pop over in the morning and line up with the locals for great coffee and all-day brekkie, or head over after midday to swap the beans for local wines and Aussie boutique beers.

5. River Deck Cafe

waiter holding two dishes at Riverdeck Cafe albury wodonga — Soak in views and good food at Riverdeck Cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Another dining destination next to the Murray, the award-winning River Deck Cafe provides a large deck covered in dappled sunlight that makes for the ideal long lunch spot. Here, menus focus on natural, native and local ingredients sourced from regional farmers and producers across Albury Wodonga and surrounds.

Museums, murals and more

1. Albury Wodonga Public Art Trail

Gain a sense of Albury Wodonga’s vibrant arts community while wandering the Public Art Trail. Works range from sculptures and murals to wrapped infrastructure. Be sure to check the council map before you head out, so you don’t miss a thing.

2. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)

couple admiring the art at Murray Art Gallery — Stop into one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

MAMA forms the heart of art and culture in Albury Wodonga, some may say the entire Murray region. In fact, it’s one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. What makes it so lauded? The museum has earned a reputation for curating innovative, original exhibitions from some of the best contemporary Australian and international artists.

3. HotHouse Theatre

Originally built in 1928 as the Butter Factory Theatre, HotHouse Theatre has been a home of performance since 1997. Stop by to see the best of new Australian theatre. Continue to explore unique architecture on the Historic Building Walking Tour of Albury, the perfect way to round out your stay.

Start planning your Albury Wodonga getaway at visitalburywodonga.com.