16 November 2024
7 mins Read
Attracting over one million people each year, Eumundi Markets’ motto is ‘Make it. Bake it. Sew it. Grow it.’, brilliantly reflecting its countless charms.
Live performances, home goods, crafty condiments and mouth-watering food from a deeply connected melting pot of local townsfolk overflow at the mammoth bi-weekly markets, which trickles over several streets and zones. So where on earth do you start?
Learning the Eumundi Markets’ backstory will no doubt help you appreciate the overwhelmingly large mecca even more.
Back in 1979, Christa Barton and her friend Gail Perry-Somers opened the first Eumundi Market with only three stalls and just eight visitors. It was hosted in the Country Women’s Association Hall on Memorial Drive. Their idea was to create a market that brought together artisans and farmers with the community.
Stroll along the stalls at Eumundi Markets to find something that suits you.
On their first day, they made a turnover of only $30, which is probably what you would spend now on food alone at the Eumundi Markets. By the year 2000, the market had grown from three to 350 stalls in just over 20 years. It became a staple visit for any Queenslanders taking a road trip in the Sunshine Coast and before long, people came from all over the country to visit what is now known as the largest art and craft market in Australia.
In 2002, Eumundi Markets expanded its Saturday operations by adding Wednesday opening hours to the mix. These days, you’ll find thick crowds on both days.
Look for artsy artisan items at Eumundi Markets.
Eumundi Markets’ stalls offer almost anything you can think of. Arts and crafts? Tick. Fashion and jewellery? Tick. Candles cut into the shape of battered fish and crinkle-cut chips? Tick.
Run by Eumundi and wider Sunshine Coast locals, each stall produces homemade products crafted from locally produced materials and ingredients. These guys are also very mindful of their impact on their lush surroundings and the wider environment.
Sip fresh fruit juice while shopping for fresh produce.
Selling their own tote bags, made from natural unbleached calico, and plastic-free water bottles, plus providing drinking stations to refill your bottles are just a couple of initiatives. There are also eco-emphasised products on sale including the reusable Bee Eco Essential Wraps to keep your food fresh and Conscious Path’s natural skincare to keep you glowing.
Desperate for a new ‘do? Where’s Cazz haircuts is on hand for appointment-free servicing and once you’re done, make your way over to Tracey Rhodes for a tarot card reading or Wendy Sugars for a spot of foot reflexology.
Shop all kinds of jewellery at Eumundi Markets.
Although Eumundi Markets is very clearly a hunting ground for lovers of artisanal arts and crafts, the bagels, tapas, Dutch poffertjes, bratwurst, organic samosas, weird curly fries on sticks, coffee, donuts, tarts, Japanese pancakes, kombucha, laksa, woodfire pizza, tricked up potato spuds and so much more lure grumbling bellies from near and far.
Flying West Coffee Roasters, brewing up some of the finest coffee in Noosa and its surrounds, has a cart serving up the good stuff and it’s all-too-conveniently situated next to Donut Kitchen where you’ll find chubby, glazed pillows of perfection.
Hot sauce enthusiasts should check out The Chilli Tribe for its award-winning blends, while blistered, cinnamon-dusted Portuguese tarts at Lisboa Cafe right around the corner are also a must-sample.
Frosting Cakery meanwhile sells paint-your-own cookies, providing take-home boredom busters for little ones, and Bezel’s Bagels draws crowds from early morning and past lunch for its self-proclaimed ‘life-changing’ creations.
From coffee to sustainable farm food products, you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
When it’s time for retail therapy, don’t miss My Soap for those nostalgic candles in the shape of classic Aussie treats including cheesecakes and soft serves, Larrikin Signs for cheeky engraved hardwood, Rachael Curry Art for breathtaking artworks capturing local flora and fauna, Conscious Pet Co. for plastic-free pet toys, Bushblocks for remarkable recycled timber island benches and Merrie Tomkins for popular coastal-inspired ceramics.
The stall vendors at Eumundi Markets are friendly to their customers.
The Eumundi Markets is only a 15-minute drive away from Noosa’s Hastings Street and its plethora of boutiques and eateries. If you’re coming from Brisbane, it’s a roughly 90-minute road trip.
Here’s the hot tip when it comes to parking: sure, you’ll find a spot quickly if you venture into the main market parking on the corner of Albert and Napier Streets, but you’ll save a flat rate of $9 if you’ve got a bit of time up your sleeve to hunt down street parking. The two-hour spots may be harder to come by but stalk the ones right opposite the main car park and it’ll be worth it. They’re unmetered and just steps away from the entrance.
It really depends on how much parking you’ve locked down. If you’ve got a full morning to play with, you can easily fill it with stall wandering from 7am before popping into the nearby Imperial Hotel (home to the Eumundi Brewery) for an early pub lunch and returning to the stalls until Eumundi Markets shuts its doors at 2pm.
Alternatively, dropping into the markets for a superb coffee and some locally baked goods is a common Saturday morning occurrence among locals before returning to bigger weekend plans.
Bottom line: there’s always more to explore at the Eumundi Markets, even if you’ve been before.
The team is encouraging of the area’s local musicians and entertainers, so you’ll find a whole heap scattered around Eumundi Markets and its stalls. Local artists come by quite regularly, but they’ll occasionally have a one-time-only act that causes groups to swarm.
The markets are a constant home to musician Renny Field, lap slide guitarist Pat Tierney, acoustic folk singer-songwriter Lucy Mills and a few select more. We were lucky enough to catch Frank & Louis, a teenage brother band from the Sunshine Coast, when we last visited the markets and the two youngsters captivated the crowd with their soulful renditions of original tunes and covers. Unearthing so much local talent is undoubtedly one of Eumundi Markets’ distinct drawcards.
In terms of events, there are quite a few special occasions throughout the year. Santa is guaranteed to visit during December, and you’ll typically find a massive egg hunt plus loads of egg-cellent activities over the Easter holiday period.
Catch fiery live performances at Eumundi Markets.
The markets are open every Wednesday from 8am until 2pm and Saturday from 7am until 2pm, all year round (even when it’s raining or hailing).
On Saturdays, Picnic Lane is also open. Taking advantage of a small grassy patch up on the top terrace of the Eumundi Markets, Picnic Lane features live music, fresh produce stalls, lawn games, coffee and more. A must-experience as it’s one of the market’s newest sections, having launched in April 2022.
Meet local performers in adorable costumes.
The Eumundi Markets can be found at 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi, but make sure you explore the surrounding streets while you’re in town. Smaller markets offering equally fascinating arts and crafts can be found at Eumundi Square, 1-7 Albert Street, and The Pavilion Eumundi, 79 Memorial Drive.
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No thanks, I like to travel solo
Great write-up. Great markets. Great stall-holders. My local for 2 1/2 years. Always a great atmosphere! Do visit!!!!!
Great Market article. Look forward to an update visit.