Destinations: MARKETS & FAIRS

During a drive through the country, there's nothing like lobbing into a town you've never heard of before on a Saturday or Sunday morning and stumbling upon a local market or fair. The whole town comes out to share the experience, and visitors are given a fabulous window to through to and discover what makes that community tick. It is almost guaranteed you'll get the opportunity to pick up an old vase or horseshoe, a slab of local hand made cheese, a jar of marmalade or chutney, or perhaps a plate of shortbread biscuits lovingly made to an old family recipe by the local butcher's mum.

For those in the cities not able to spoil themselves with such indulgences, the country often comes to the city in the form of city and suburban markets where fresh produce is sold alongside arts, crafts and a multiplicity of other things you don't need but you'll end up buying anyway. The rural and suburban markets are too numerous to list here, so we've come up with some of the bigger markets around Australia that are among our favourite places.

Mindil Beach Markets (Darwin, NT) From the last Thursday in April to the last Thursday in October, all and sundry turn up under balmy evening skies to sample the widest range of international food you could imagine. As you enjoy the culinary delights, you can be entertained by modern didgeridoo funk, join hundreds down on the sand watching the sun setting over the sea, or wander among stalls displaying bohemian arts & crafts. Mindil Beach Sunset Markets is held at Mindil Beach not far from the Darwin city centre. Started in 1987, the markets have become one of Darwin's premier tourist attractions.

Queen Victoria Markets (Melbourne, Vic) Spread over 7 hectares, The Vic Market, which is what Melbournians call it, is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere. Almost one thousand traders sell everything from exotic Australian fruit and vegetables and local and imported gourmet foods, meat, fish and poultry, to hardware, manchester, clothing and authentic Australian artefacts and souvenirs. Few places in Melbourne can give the visitor a feel for the city, its people and its diverse cultures like the Vic Markets. In its 120 plus years, Queen Victoria Market has had a colourful and sometimes controversial history. During that time, the site has been a cemetery, a Livestock Market and a Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market. Today it is more than just a shopping mecca - it’s an historic landmark, a tourist attraction and an institution for Victorians. Open daily except Mondays.

Salamanca Markets (Hobart, Tas) Once a hive of maritime activity with sailing ships loading and unloading their cargo, the rows of Georgian era sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place are now a plaza of restaurants and shop, with pubs, artists, galleries, craft shops and nightlife adding to the relaxed atmosphere of the place after sundown. Every Saturday, Salamanca Place takes on a totally different look and carnival atmosphere when it hosts the famous Salamanca Markets. Over 300 stallholders congregate to sell produce and crafts from all over Tasmania as buskers, artists and performers keep the crowd entertained. Here you can purchase a hand made piece of Tasmanian craftwork or something special for the dining table, like a jar of home-made pickles or a bottle of Tasmanian Cassis, a delightful blood-red, sweet, blackcurrant flavoured liqueur blackberry wine. Open every Saturday

Adelaide Central Market (Adelaide, SA) Not the sort of place one would expect to attract tourists, but such is the case here. Its colourful lanes offer predominantly fruit, vegetables, small goods, meat and poultry, seafood, gourmet, cheeses and cakes, and you'll always find something special that you can take home and treat yourself to. This indoor Market has the taste and feel of an international melting pot of food and cultures, which is hardly surprising since it is on Gouger Street where Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Malaysian, French, Argentinian and Indian fare is available. Asian cuisine dominates, and this is not surprising since Adelaide's Chinatown is right next door. Adelaide Central Market is situated in the heart of Adelaide. Entry from Gouger and Grote Sts., Adelaide. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

The Rocks Market (Sydney, NSW) Surrounded by the heritage Georgian buildings and cobblestone laneways of Sydney's historic Rocks district, The Rocks Weekend Markets have a reputation as a place to get that unique gift for a special friend or relative. The outdoor stalls offer a full range of artisan and handmade products, with a dedicated designers' section selling homewares, hand painted ceramics, designer linen and furniture, designer fashion: clothing,  jewellery and accessories, photography and prints and original artwork. Held on Fridays, The Rocks Farmers’ Market features authentic growers and producers displaying their produce. Open Friday to Sunday.

Capital Region Farmers Market (Canberra, ACT) Capital Region Farmers Market has over 100 stalls offering a diverse range of fresh food and agricultural produce straight from the producer to the customer. The great selection of produce from the Southern Tablelands region includes fruit and vegetables, Asian greens, honey, olives, plants, smoked meats, jams and preserves. The Market offers a convenient alternative to a ‘farm gate’ for growers unable to secure on-farm sales or through retailers. It's open every Saturday 8am-11am at Exhibition Park.

Old Bus Depot Markets (Kingston, ACT) One of Canberra’s favourite markets, the Old Bus Depot Markets are held every Sunday in Kingston. It has a range of hand crafted goods plus a wide range of fresh produce and gourmet foods. From time to the time the market holds themed events. One to watch out for during the Floriade Festival features more than 20 winery stalls representing the Canberra District Wine Association offering tastings, sales and talks on cool climate wine. Location: 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, ACT. Open every Sunday.

Fremantle Markets (Fremantle, WA) The undercover Markets on Fremantle's renowned "Cappacino Strip" are the most popular and well patronised markets in Perth by both locals and visitors. They have been somewhat of an institution in the port city since being first established in 1897. Offering a range of produce, arts and crafts and souvenirs, the Fremantle Markets are open ever Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Street performers add to the venue's carnival atmosphere.

Kuranda Rainforest Markets (Kuranda, Qld) There are a number of markets at the rainforest village of Kuranda, the first of them being the original Rainforest Markets. Laid out as a miniature village that rambles along a hillside, there are interesting curious at every turn, tropical gardens and colourful characters - there's even a mini golf course. Predominantly available to artisans and craftspeople, here you will find locally designed and produced fashions; hand crafted jewellery; indigenous artists; leather workers; massurs; woodworkers and gemstone specialists, as well as local honeys, local coffee, tropical fruits, coconuts and macadamia nuts.

Fisherman's Wharf Market (Port Adelaide, SA) Open on Sundays & Public Holiday Mondays, these markets offer two floors of variety stalls, selling everything from books, toys, antiques and jewellery to lighting and dolls houses. There are three excellent transport museums within walking distance (Air, Rail and Maritime), ll of which combine to make Port Adelaide a good destination for a day out.

St Kilda Markets (St Kilda, Vic) Melbourne has some truly wonderful suburban markets; those at St Kilda are typical examples. Established as an outlet for local artists, The Esplanade Market has nearly 200 of Victoria’s best artists and craftspeople displaying and selling their work direct to the public. The St Kilda Twilight Markets operate every Thursday evening during Summer in O’Donnell Gardens. The Veg Out St Kilda Farmers' Market is held on the first Saturday of each month from 8.30am to 1pm at the Peanut Farm Oval, behind Acland Street. The product range and atmosphere make it one of Melbourne's most popular farmers' markets.

Paddy's Market (Sydney, NSW) Australia's oldest Market, Paddy's boasts products as varied as fruit vegetables, clothing, CDs, flowers, homewares, sunglasses, jewellery. Located on the doorstep of Darling Harbour and Sydney's Chinatown and within walking distance of Central Railway Station, Paddy's is one of Sydney's major suppliers to the tourist with a wide range of souvenirs and Australiana.