The Best Markets in Brisbane

The brainchild of four popular Brisbane personalities, Brisbane market guru Peter Hackworth, TV producer John Stainton, retail entrepreneur John Harrison, and veteran TV personality Jacki MacDonald, the Eat Street Markets are situated down by the river at Hamilton’s North Shore within 80 colourful shipping containers selling street food, cocktails, arts and crafts, clothes and other quirky trinkets. On Friday and Saturday nights fairy lights shine down on alleyways of global food, pop-up bars and live music. Among the Eat Street stars are Japanese pizza from Okonomi House, local seafood like Samie’s Girl oysters, Banneton’s wood-fired pizza, and Korean fusion burgers. Sundays are for hoovering up collectibles and curios – seek out some herbal soaps, or the recycled metal sculptures from Tanzania by Heather’s Artz. Crucially for visitors, there is plenty of free parking nearby and the markets themselves are within touching distance of the Northshore Hamilton ferry terminal. Opening hours: Fri-Sat 4pm–10pm; Sun 10am–3pm Address: Macarthur Ave, Brisbane QLD, Australia, +61 7 3358 2500 Eat Street Market | © Robert Nightingale/Flickr

Nestled within the warehouse, factories and outdoor garages of the former Peter’s Ice Cream Factory, now the Absoe site, these varied markets are one of the hippest scenes in Brisbane. On Saturdays and Sundays in the daytime, stalls offer vintage and future fashion, pop-up cafés like the West End Tea Company, and global artisan foods. Conversely, the Friday night markets become an intimate party scene featuring art installations, a barber shop and a live music bill in The Motor Room. Refreshments can also be purchased from the bar inside one of the shipping containers. Opening hours: Sat-Sun 9am – 3pm Address: 91 Boundary St, West End QLD, Australia, +61 418 739 136 Boundary food stalls | Image courtesy of Boundary Street Markets

For only two days every July the historic Old Museum plays host to this mini festival of art, fashion, food and music. 85 talented artists and designers will be displaying their various wares, from jewellery to design objects and clothes, in individually curated stalls. Outside on the lawns, coffee and food are amply provided for gastronomic accompaniment to live grassroots musical acts playing over the weekend. Creative doyennes of the future appearing with stalls include Into The Fold and A Boy Named Aaron, while established favourites, such as Honey and Heid and Winnifred’s Daughter, frequently return. Opening hours: Nov 7 10am-6pm, Nov 8 10am-4pm Address: Old Museum, 480 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills QLD, Australia, +61 7 3257 4089 City Farmer’s Market | © Brisbane City Council/Flickr

Brisbane market maverick Jan Powers has franchised out her community style farmer’s markets to locations in the City, Manley, Michelton and here in New Farm Park under the auspices of Brisbane’s old power station. Food is the star attraction at this market, and at the Powerhouse you can beat the supermarkets at their game by buying similarly-priced, higher quality goods, all of them grown, picked, caught, handcrafted or sourced by the sellers. The dedication and passion of the sellers themselves is also part of the draw, with many of them waking up at 2.30am to set up their stalls. If you only have ten minutes to look around, get there early for a delicious breakfast sandwich prepared by celebrity chef Alistair McLeod at his own stall. Opening hours: Sat 6am-12pm Address: Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington St, New Farm, QLD, Australia, +61 7 3358 8600 Powerhouse Farmers Market | © Mel Green/Flickr

Take shelter in the art deco halls of Brisbane City Hall to reap the rewards of the Saturday morning lifestyle markets. On sale are the eco-friendly, the handmade and the downright fabulous, from fashion, jewellery and accessories to children’s wear, gifts and decorative home décor pieces. The bright lights of the indie music scene provide the soundtrack from the Sandgate courtyard, and those who left their purses at home can simply bask in the surroundings of the adjacent Shingle Inn, whose high-ceilinged chambers and reception rooms with Georgian windows and marble trim are an architectural wonder of the city. Opening hours: second Sat of the month, 9am – 3pm Address: 64 Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide St, Brisbane QLD, Australia By Alex MacKay