The Margaret River Region Markets are a chance to taste incredible local produce and meet those behind it. Here's our guide to the region's markets.
Small-scale food production, sustainable and regenerative farming practices are a big part of what makes the local food economy in the Margaret River Region such a lure.
Get up close and personal with the people behind the produce at these regional markets.
Held on the TAFE grounds just south of the Margret River township on Bussell Highway, the Margaret River Farmers Market committee works hard to ensure authenticity and accessibility. Every market stall holder grows, produces or makes their products in the south west region. A Saturday morning here is an introduction to community as much as it is an opportunity to buy picked-yesterday produce.
Every Saturday, 7.30am to 11.30am. 272 Bussell Highway, Margaret River.
Run by a small collective of stall holders for more than 30 years, the Vasse Markets bring together hand-crafted goods with fresh produce, coffee and cakes. Visit Barb for one-off quirky animal aprons, trivet mats and pot mitts. Leonie crafts jewellery. Pauline is a 15-year regular with a strong following for her cakes, pies, slices and pickles. A great spot to pick up your down south momento.
First and third Saturday of every month, 8am – midday. Kaloorup Rd, Vasse.
Produce is the star at The Shed Market, but the market itself is an icon too. Chris and Donna Carlyle founded the market after an inspiration trip to South Africa where they visited an Earth Fair Food Market in Cape Town. They wanted to create somewhere with similar intimate community connections that celebrated a love of food. Arrive at The Shed hungry and head straight to Eat Street for a selection of on-the-spot dishes. Crowd favourites include healthy wraps from Mattia Italian Vibes, Reuben sandwiches and freshly made juices. Tumeric lattes and choc turmeric lattes with Southern Forest Honey are also delicious. The Shed markets also host regular pop-up craft markets.
Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 12 Caves Road, Abbey.
One of the few Sunday markets open for low-key mornings in the south west, the Busselton Foreshore Market is an even spread between crafts, local art, clothing, regional produce and a couple of great food trucks. The location on the grass along the foreshore precinct is great for families. Take home a yummy freshly made cake, a newly potted plant or a local painting.
Every first, third and fifth Sunday of the month, from 7am – 1pm. Signal Park, Busselton Foreshore.
Held in the centre of Dunsborough at Lions Park, Markets By The Bay pushes a buy-local ethos. Fresh local produce is a highlight, but the net also casts a little wider to catch a bigger market in this centralised visitor location. You might find wood products, books, clothing and pictures among the honey, cheese, paté and locally grown fruit and veg.
Second Saturday every month, check the Facebook page for details.
The recent opening of the hotly anticipated Origins Market is a super exciting new addition to the Busselton gourmet landscape. Truly a passion project with thought and care spent on every detail, it has been designed in the same vein as the great markets of the world, such as Borough market in London, or La Boqueria in Barcelona. Undercover to ensure happy perusing in all weather, there are over 60 makers, growers, producers and artisans including bakers, brewers, wine makers, fruit & veggie growers, and baristas… everything your heart and tummy could desire. Stock up on delicious local food, fill your drinks fridge, then linger over a glass of wine or beer and something tasty from one of the food trucks – yep, it’s licenced. Kids will be entertained by the nature style playground with art by Ian Mutch, and also the working beehive.
Thursday & Sunday 8.30am – 6pm, Friday & Saturday 8.30am – 9pm (open 7 days during school holidays). 86 West Street, Busselton.
Augusta is one of the more relaxed townships in the Margaret River Region, and the locals love it that way. The Augusta Community Markets reflect this close-knit and low-key vibe. The market is occupied by a group of quirky farmers who know their land and are only too happy to chat with you about it. Produce here is incredible, and there’s also a showing from the local artistic community with a range of crafts. And of course it couldn’t take place in the CWA car park if there weren’t outstanding cakes, relishes and pickles for sale. The market days are irregular, so best bet is to talk to the visitor centre to find out scheduled happenings.
8am to midday, CWA car park, Allnut Terrace, Augusta. An occasional market.
