Artisans, Growers and Makers are Thriving at Adelaide’s Markets

Everyone knows Adelaide Central Market is the city’s most famous food bazaar but Adelaide is home to many more market-shopping experiences from vintage wares to artisan crafts. Here are the city’s best.

Adelaide Central Market

Operating for almost 150 years, Adelaide Central Market can certainly boast about being the largest undercover market in the Southern Hemisphere but what’s really impressive is the array of producers and providores: myriad fruit and veg suppliers, butchers, bakers, smallgoods makers, fishmongers, cheese sellers and plenty of cafes to keep you sustained while you shop.

44-60 Gouger Street, Adelaide; Tuesday 7am-5.30pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am-5.30pm, Friday 7am-9pm, Saturday 7am-3pm, closed Sunday and Monday

Plant 4

A relative newcomer to Adelaide’s market scene, Plant 4 is a small but bustling hub north of the city that opens twice weekly with food producers sitting alongside artisan makers. It’s run by The Market Shed on Holland team, meaning it has an organic/sustainable/local slant; the community vibe and sun-drenched lawn outside make it perfect for families, especially on Saturday mornings.

1 Third Street, Bowden; Wednesday 4pm-9pm; Saturday 9am-3pm

The Market Shed on Holland

Held in a large shed in the south-western corner of the CBD, this vibrant offering is a health-food haven — think vegan sweets, gluten-free snacks, cold-pressed juices and the like. You can still get a mean latte at The Market Shed and there are wares by local makers and artisans, a dedicated succulent and terrarium stall, stunning fresh flowers and an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables — all with a focus on local, organic and sustainable produce.

1 Holland Street, Adelaide; Sunday 9am-3pm

Adelaide Farmers’ Market, Showground

Great growers are part of South Australia’s DNA. To meet and shop from them direct, look no further than the Adelaide Farmers’ Market, where more than 90 stallholders offer an abundance of fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish, smallgoods, rustic breads, pastas, pastries, preserves and chutneys, honey and olive oils… the mouth-watering list goes on.

Adelaide Showground, Leader Street, Wayville; Sunday 9am-1pm

And there’s more where that came from…

Farmers markets abound in South Australia, especially further afield: Adelaide Farmers’ Markets hosts a weekly outpost at Gawler; Willunga Farmers Market in McLaren Vale was South Australia’s first farmers’ market and features more than 80 local food producers; Barossa Farmers Market sets up their local showcase in a large shed in Angaston, while the weekly Adelaide Hills Farmers Market in Mount Barker coincides with the Hills Artisans’ Market on the first Saturday of each month.

Fishermen’s Wharf Markets

More than 120 stallholders ply their wares at Fishermen’s Wharf Markets, a Port Adelaide trash-and-treasure bazaar of bric-a-brac, curios, vintage and antiques — where you might find anything from collectable crystal to a cricket bat. There’s face painting for the little ones and, outside, views over the Port Adelaide River.

Black Diamond Square, Port Adelaide; Sunday and Monday public holidays 9am-5pm

Gilles Street Market

With its focus on fashion and accessories, the Gilles Street Market is dedicated to providing “a platform for young South Australian designers”. Expect up-and-comers alongside those retailing vintage and recycled wares.

Gilles Street Primary School, 91 Gilles Street, Adelaide; October to May – 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 10am-4pm – June to September, 3rd Sunday of the month, 10am-4pm.

The irregular crowd…

A few times a year Round She Goes sets up at Woodville Town Hall. Pay a two-buck entry fee for a mix of vintage, op-shop curios, upcycled clothing and crafty finds. Entry is free at the occasional Red Umbrella Market, where the focus is on handmade creations from South Australian makers. Twice yearly, the impressive Bowerbird Design Market showcases an eclectic assortment of artisan crafts, fashion, homewares, body products and more. Also keep an eye out for That Dapper Market, held in McLaren Vale and run by Vale vintage go-to Littlest Vintage. Naturally, the emphasis is on pre-loved but there are also designs from new makers, plus live music and a bar.