Tis’ the season!
Gorgeous weather is in full effect here in the beautiful Port Macquarie area. It’s the perfect time to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air! And there’s no better way to enjoy such a beautiful day than on a family outing. Luckily for Port Macquarie, there are always fun and lively activities around every corner. There are parks, beaches, and our renowned local markets! From produce to jewellery, we’ve got it all. If you’re looking for some exciting new places to spend your weekends this season, come check out some of Port Macquarie’s fabulous markets.
Port Macqaurie markets
Port Macquarie has so many great local markets it’s hard to decide on which one! Here at The Westport Club, we love the local flare that each of the Port Macquarie markets offers. These markets showcase all walks of life, from farmers, to artists, to jewellers and everything in between! You’re guaranteed to find something that interests you. Whether that’s a locally grown watermelon bigger than your head or a stunning piece of jewellery handcrafted from recycled soft drink cans – there are treats for everyone. Don’t be afraid to bring the kids along, too! There are always fun activities to keep even the most hard to wrangle little ones occupied.
We want to highlight some of The Westport Club’s favourite local markets. We firmly believe that each market has just as much to offer, so there’s no discrimination! The markets have their own unique style and community flare. Be sure to check out each one for a new and exciting experience each visit. Plus, they’re constantly changing each week. Keep the visits consistent to ensure you don’t miss any new tasty foods or incredible homemade creations. Whether you’re a stone’s throw away or plan on making the trip a weekend vacation, the beautiful Port Macquarie markets can turn any average weekend into a great one. Here are some of our local favourites:
Grown and Gathered Community Market
The first of our Port Macquarie markets is a bit of a drive from the heart of the city, but the destination is worth it. With an emphasis on friendliness, the Grown and Gathered Community Market offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for all ages. It started out with the premise to ‘re-use, recycle, and repurpose’ local residents’ excess goods and produce. Farmers would bring their extra produce to the local halls to share and trade with other locals doing the same. Now the market has grown into a hub for delicious, locally grown and prepared food, tasty coffee, and a diverse range of stalls selling jewellery, metal works, art works, jams, vintage recycled clothing and much more. There’s a little something for all styles and tastes at the Grown and Gathered Community Market.
Grown and Gathered is open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on the first Sunday of each month. The travel time is about 45 minutes from Port Macquarie, but you’ll travel through the stunning Pappinbarra Valley. Soak in the scenic views as you make the trip and spend your day indulging in all that the Grown and Gathered Community Market has on offer.
The Foreshore Markets
As the name so rightfully suggests, the next spot on our list of Port Macquarie markets lies right near the shore of the beautiful Hastings River. The Foreshore Market provides guests with a vibrant atmosphere and a taste for ‘something a little different’. Starting in 2010, the market has developed an eclectic style. The Foreshore Market offers a marketplace for local artists to showcase their unique talents to the supportive Port Macquarie community. Along with a stage for artists to show off their performance skills, the market is home to over 100 different local stalls that offer anything from locally grown produce to stunning home-grown flowers. There’s even a stall for handcrafted African baskets and wood-fired breads! If you’re looking for an exciting atmosphere to spend with family and friends, The Foreshore Markets offer a great location.
The Foreshore markets are open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on the second Saturday of every month. And to make it even better, The Foreshore Markets are just walking distance away from the relaxing Westport Club. Stop in before your trip to the local Port Macquarie markets and enjoy a gourmet cup of coffee or some delicious artisan-baked sourdough at our new riverside Hastings Coffee Co. Or, if you find yourself still craving some tasty, locally grown food after your successful day at the markets, stop by our delectable Aqua restaurant! Aqua offers unsurpassed views of the gorgeous Hastings River with a local, innovative menu built around Port Macquarie’s fresh local produce. Whether you choose a hot cup of joe to start your morning from Hastings Coffee Co. or a hearty meal from Aqua after the shopping is done, you’ll love relaxing with us at The Westport Club.
Wauchope Community Markets and Farmers Markets
If you enjoy your Port Macquarie markets with heaps of options to browse, then the Wauchope Community and Farmers Markets are perfect! The Community Markets offer dozens of creative stalls. They can range from plants, to crafts, to bric-a-brac. Grab your magnifying glass and see if you can find some local treasure. And no need to worry about your grocery shopping – the community markets offer locally grown produce to fill all your fresh food needs! Enjoy a peaceful day with friends and family at the Wauchope Community Markets.
The Community Markets are held on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Uniting Church in Wauchope. Don’t be fooled by the market’s smaller size, their products will blow you away!
If you’re on the hunt for the freshest, juiciest, tastiest locally grown produce in the Port Macquarie markets, then head to the Wauchope Farmers Markets (link to: http://wauchopefarmersmarket.com.au/wauchope-farmers-markets/). Wauchope, an old timber town, is now referred to as a fertile food bowl.” Farmers love to show off their most delicious produce and interact with the local community. The locals love welcoming new visitors to the markets. The Wauchope Farmers Markets are perfect for all ages, from young families looking for new ways to entertain the kids to retirees looking for some friendly conversation. The Wauchope area is filled with bakers, artisans and farmers who love to transform their fresh produce and goods into tasty treats like jams, cakes, dips, spreads and more. There are even some creative makers who churn their very own fresh milk to make cheeses, chocolates, yoghurts, ice cream and everything in between! There’s no shortage of creativity at the Wauchope Farmers Markets. You can even check out the handmade candles, knits, clothing, and other crafted wonders. Whatever you might be on the hunt for, the Wauchope Farmers Markets will have you and your friends and family covered.
The Farmers Markets are open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and gather once a month at the Wauchope Showground, with the days varying in the upcoming autumn months. Pack up the kids or grab your family and friends and head to the Wauchope Markets for the ultimate Port Macquarie markets experience!
Laurieton Riverwalk Markets
The last on the list of Port Macquarie markets is the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets. With an average of 150 stalls at each market day, it’s safe to say there’s something interesting on offer for everyone. If you are looking to take the kids out and explore for the weekend, then the Riverwalk Markets are perfect for you! The local stalls range from selling toys, to perfume, to fishing gear. There’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for (or maybe didn’t even plan on looking for) at these markets. The community atmosphere at the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets is unparalleled. There’s no telling apart the consistent locals and tourists visiting for their first time. People rave about the friendliness. Street performers throughout the markets keep a smile on every face. There’s some value for anyone who visits the beloved Laurieton Riverwalk Markets.
While the trip may be a bit of a drive from Port Macquarie, being roughly 35 minutes, there is no doubt that your experience at the market will make up for it. The Camden Haven Chamber has conducted the markets for over 15 years, so they know what they are doing! You can choose to enjoy a bite to eat by the river or grab some locally grown produce to whip up your own delicious creations back home. And to top it all off, any profit made through the market is reinvested into the local community through local events and activities that the Camden Haven Chamber supports. You can make your trip to the markets a full day excursion and visit the surrounding Camden Haven area to enjoy the rest of what the charming district has on offer.
The Laurieton Riverwalk Markets are held from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Spend the day browsing the markets and you just might end up going back home with a new toolbox or even some refurbished furniture. You never know!
We love community
Here at The Westport Club, it’s not our place to tell you which one of the Port Macquarie markets is the best. That’s for you to go try and decide! We wanted to bring you a comprehensive guide to some of our local favourites. Some may be more out of the way than others, but that just gives you a great excuse to drive through the beautiful country that surrounds Port Macquarie.
The thing we love about each of these markets is the sense of community spirit. We embrace our role in community life here in Port Macquarie and it’s our aim to give every community member as much support as we can. Visiting local Port Macquarie markets are just one of the many ways you can give back to the community and enjoy a fun and exciting weekend at the same time.
If there’s one thing we can tell you, however, it’s that you can enjoy an energizing start to your day at the Port Macquarie markets or relax and unwind after your busy trip right here at The Westport Club! Hastings Coffee Co. is the ideal destination for a quick, delicious pick-me-up before you haul the family to the markets. You can enjoy your tasty snacks and coffee right along the banks of the Hastings River, too! Or if you happen to just be walking along on your way, stop at our riverside window. You can order any of our delicious menu items as you walk along the river. If you’re on the way back home, stop in for some zesty new pizza or a number of our flavourful lunch menu items.
Plus, we understand the importance of using fresh, locally grown produce. Just like what you’d buy at any of the Port Macquarie markets! At our Aqua restaurant, we put an emphasis on using fresh, Port Macquarie grown produce in all our delicious meals. We feel that the ingredients used in a dish are just as important as the recipe itself. That’s why we complement all our modern-Australian dishes with the freshest locally grown produce to provide a true local dining experience. Aqua is a popular Port Macquarie favourite with its unrivalled combination of stunning riverside views and fantastic selection of traditional Australian favourites. We love our food, and the locals do too!
Stop by The Westport Club today for a fortifying start or relaxing finish point to a day at the Port Macquarie markets. Book a table now so you don’t miss your chance. We’ll see you soon!