MARKETS
Browsing open air markets and discovering 'must-have' take-home treasures and souvenirs is a popular and economical activity for all ages - and Port Macquarie and district offers a variety of great country craft and produce markets every weekend, year round.
As well as the fixed market days listed below, special market days are held on Port Macquarie's Town Green to coincide with school holidays and community events. Enquire for dates of these gala markets featuring food stalls, pony rides, free musical entertainment and other attractions at Reception @ The Observatory or through Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre.
HASTINGS FARMERS MARKETS
Every second Saturday at Port Macquarie, every fourth Saturday at Wauchope �and when there's a fifth Saturday in the month at Lake Cathie: these markets showcase our finest produce from around the region, but you don't need to be after fresh fruit and vegies to enjoy. Preserves, olives, cheeses, cupcakes, ice cream, tasty takeaways and organic foods are also on display, with plenty of opportunities to taste-test Greater Port Macquarie's distinctive wares and purchase Sydney Royal award-winning jams, relishes, oils, sauces and pastes as souvenirs or gifts. In Port Macquarie at the Maritime Museum, ocean end of William Street; in Wauchope at the Showground in the High Street and at Lake Cathie at the Community hall in Mullaway Street. Hours at all venues: 8am to noon.
PORT MACQUARIE ART SOCIETY MARKET BAZAAR
Weekly on Sundays Port Macquarie Art Society and its friends open their arms to visitors at their market grounds at Hamilton House on Hastings River Drive between Port Home Zone and the airport road. Beautiful hand-made local arts and crafts, fresh produce and great on-the-hop, budget-priced food make for an invigorating outdoors start to another day of leisure in Port Macquarie. Hours: 8am to 1pm.
WAUCHOPE COMMUNITY MARKETS & ARTS BAZAAR
On the first Saturday of every month you'll find traditional stalls laden with crafts, bric-a-brac and produce unique to this historic timber-cutting district. Well worth the short drive west to Port Macquarie's closest neighbouring town. At the Uniting Church grounds on Hastings Street, Wauchope. Hours: 8am to 1pm.
On fourth Saturdays of the month, Wauchope High School Markets are an alternative venue. Opening hours: call 6586 0229.
PORT MACQUARIE UNITING CHURCH MARKET
Also on first Saturdays of the month, here's a handy market to spend a half-hour or a whole morning, en route to your other day's activities. Located on Oxley Highway at the corner of Sherwood Road, Port Macquarie. Hours: 8 to 11.30am.
COMBOYNE VILLAGE MARKETS ::
ST JAMES COTTAGE CRAFTS
On third Saturdays of the month, head westward for half an hour or so to the Great Divide foothills and enjoy the fresh country air high up in rural Comboyne, home to our popular local cheese factory. Markets at Comboyne Community Centre. Hours: 9am to 1pm.
Then take a 10-minute drive to nearby Byabarra, where St James Cottage Crafts also welcomes visitors monthly on third Saturdays. Located opposite Blue Poles Gallery, Byabarra. Hours: 9.30am to 2pm.
KENDALL SHOWGROUND MARKETS ::
JOHNS RIVER MARKETS
Early on first Sundays of the month local country folk begin unloading beautiful flowers, fresh produce, local preserves and crafts at Kendall Showground. Well worth a drive just south of Port Macquarie to enjoy this scenic district and its attractions. Hours: 8am to noon.
On second Saturdays, venture a little further southwards to Johns River for a variety of folk art, paintings, leadlight decorations, country-kitchen food and local fruit, vegies and plants. Hours: 9am to 1.30pm.
LAURIETON RIVERWALK MARKET
Third Sundays of the month are the time to make a day out of it in the Camden Haven district, travelling from Port Macquarie via pretty Lake Cathie to the market's central location at the corner of Tunis & Short Streets, Laurieton. Hours: 8am to 1pm.
PORT MACQUARIE SUNDAY MARKETS
On second and fourth Sundays of the month Westport High School grounds at Port Macquarie are host to an array of pre-loved books, homewares, clothing and more. At the corner of Oxley Highway and Findlay Avenue. Hours: 8am to 1pm.
