Make sure you leave enough room in your car for those unexpected treasures you'll find at our multitude of markets.
Wandering through market stalls is an excellent way to meet and greet the local community. Plus, markets are the perfect place to score that perfect holiday souvenir as the products are made locally and made with love.
Here in the Barrington Coast we’re happy to boast about our fresh food produce, arts and crafts, the best artisanal homewares, culinary feasts and all the rest. So you’ll be sure to find that must-have take-me-home-now memento of your visit here. Just make sure you leave enough room in your car for those unexpected treasures you’ll stumble across.
There are almost two dozen markets within the Barrington Coast to choose from, each and every month, so those listed below provide just a taste. Be sure to check out the full list on our website then come join us for some treasure hunting!
1. Foster Farmers Market
If you’re familiar with the gate to plate movement, you’ll know that the closer to the producer you buy your fresh food goods - the better it is for the natural environment and, of course for your tastebuds too. Be sure to swing by the Forster Farmers Market and fill your basket with tasty homemade sweets, locals jams and honey, free range eggs and a wide variety of fruit and vegetables straight from the farm. It’s also a terrific way to engage with the local community and support small business. You know it!
- When: 3rd Saturday of the month. 8am – 12 noon.
- Where: Visitor Information Centre, Little Street Forster.
2. Pacific Palms Market
Good vibes and great times are a shoe-in at the Pacific Palms Market. It’s a showcase of the Barrington Coast’s finest homemade artisanal products and homegrown fresh produce. Visitors love the laidback ambience here and are quick to take note of where the locals eat. Hint: every single food stall here consistently dishes up a mouth-watering meal. We reckon the exotic Asian noodles, zesty vegie curries, home baked cakes & slices and classic Aussie barbecues are the absolute best. And yes, we approached our excessive eating (ahem research) from a non-biased way as we happily fed our faces.
The kids will be entertained with pony rides and jumping castles. Meanwhile the adults relax with a coffee and wandering the many stalls offering an array of arts, crafts, jewellery, homewares, plants and handmade body products. The live music really adds to an already fun atmosphere, you’ll be so glad you came.
- When: Last Sunday of the month. 9am to 1pm.
- Where: Pacific Palms Community Centre.
3. Foster Town Market
The Forster Town Market features a collection of stalls showcasing a range of local arts and crafts, antiques, souvenirs, indoor and outdoor plants, handmade soaps and jewellery items. Plus, a whole bunch of traditional and sometimes unusual market goodies. Keep a keen eye open because there’s over 50 vendors here and you’re bound to find more than a few treasures from the Barrington Coast region to take home.
- When: 2nd Sunday of the month. 8am to 2pm.
- Where: Forster Town Park.
4. Black Head Bazaar
Treasure hunters know that anything named a bazaar is going to be good (magic lantern anyone?) and these vibrant markets are always a hive of activity on Sunday mornings. The Black Head Bazaar offers up an excellent selection of boho clothing, collectibles, handmade jams and preserves, second-hand books, fresh fruit and vegetables and a plethora of locally made arts and crafts. Arrive mid-morning, order a coffee and indulge in a barbecue breakfast before wandering the bazaar.
Note: This market raises money for local community, environmental and beautification projects and its volunteers also do land care activities in Black Head and Red Head. Nice one!
- When: 1st Sunday of the month (September to May), 8:30am to 1pm.
- Where: Wylie Breckenridge Park, Black Head, Hallidays Point.
5. The Hub Market Wingham
Here’s an insider tip for you – go direct to Coral’s jam’s and pickles stall and stock up on your favourite relishes to share with the family at home. Megan at the fruit stall is your first port of call for all the freshest seasonal fruits and Tony (head beekeeper) is always around with his famed Australian Bush Honey. Enjoy a barbecue breakfast, a strong coffee and then roam the biggest market in Taree. We bet you leave with a few cool second-hand items at the very least. The Manning River Lions Club (market organizers) always support a different local charity with the door donations. How lovely!
- When: 3rd Saturday of the month. 8am – noon.
- Where: Wingham Showgrounds.
