Thanks to a temperate climate, Tasmania is blessed with world-class produce at nearly every turn. Don’t miss out on tasting the best of it with this guide to the best local farmers markets around Tasmania.
Tasmania’s pristine waters, rich soils, premium pastures, and rich natural wilderness make it the perfect environment for producing some world-class food and drink products. Luckily, those natural elements combine with expert craft, strong traditions and modern innovations throughout the island’s many food and drink producers. From wild foragers to boutique gin and whisky distillers, small-scale fishers to heirloom apple and tomato growers, follow this guide directly to Tasmania’s artisan producers and where to find them: at Tasmania’s best farmers markets.
Wherever you plan to visit on your Tasmanian road trip, you won’t be far from a local farmers market. Whether honey from the unique leatherwood forests of the island’s northwest or the shellfish stocks of the East Coast, each local farmers market reflects Tasmania’s diverse range of local, regionalised specialties.
Many people start their Tasmanian getaway on the north coast, whether by sea or by air. If you’re spending a few days in or around Devonport, Launceston, the Tamar Valley, and the north coast, be sure to check the date for these great local markets:
Where: 71 Cimitiere Street, Launceston
When: Every Saturday from 8:30am
Busy, bustling, and bountiful, every week Harvest Launceston put on what many consider the best farmers market in Tasmania. The full plethora of Tasmanian produce is on offer here, often directly from those who made, caught or grew it: craft beer, fresh seafood, cured meats, wild honey, fresh dairy products, seasonal fruit and vege, local nuts and grains, handmade mead, cider, and almost anything else you can imagine. Obviously, it’s easy to spend a whole day here, so don’t be in a rush!
Where: Highland Lakes Road, Deloraine
When: First Saturday each month, 9:30am-1pm
Home to a small but strong contingent of diverse local growers and artisans, the monthly Deloraine Market is a place to find everything from locally grown mushrooms, blueberries and garlic to artisan cheeses and delicious hot donuts. There’s a wide range of local vegetables too, depending on the season, so it’s a good place to stock up on fresh supplies if you’re heading from Launceston towards Cradle Mountain or into the wild forests of the West Coast for a few days.
Where: 169-171 Gilbert Street, LaTrobe
When: Every Sunday 7am-3pm
This market takes over the street outside the council chambers every week, injecting plenty of life into an otherwise sleepy central Latrobe on a Sunday. The fare from local food producers includes herbs, organic vegetables and seasonal preserves, while non-food stalls sell handmade jewellery, second-hand goods and the like. It’s only a short drive from the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal to Latrobe, and it’s a decent Sunday morning stop-off en route to the Central Plateau or Cradle Mountain.
Where: Wivenhoe Showgrounds, Smith St, Burnie
When: First and third Sunday of each month, 8am-12pm
The Burnie Farmers Market was Tasmania’s first entirely community-run farmers market, and it’s undoubtedly still one of the state’s biggest, busiest and best. There’s a strong connection between growers/producers and buyers, so it’s a great place to ask questions on the produce and products. There’s everything from fresh southern rock lobster to locally grown peppercorns, and of course a huge array of fresh-off-the-farm vegetables and yummy baked goods.
Where: Devonport Showgrounds
When: Second and fourth Saturdays each month, 8:30am-12pm
Fresh produce from the many surrounding farms comes straight to this fortnightly market, as well as plenty of delicious seafood from further along the northwest coast, and leatherwood honey from the famous West Coast rainforests. There’s also homemade baking and similar tasty goodies to make it feel much more like a farmers market than an agricultural show.
Every Tasmanian East Coast itinerary is bound to be full of highlights, from the beauty of the Bay of Fires down to the serenity of Wineglass Bay. If you’re feeling peckish or curious along the way, be sure to pop into one of these fabulous local farmers markets:
Where: Town Hall, 23 Main Street, St. Marys
When: First Saturday each month, 9am-12pm
One of the busiest local markets on the East Coast, St Marys monthly market brings together local producers of everything from fruit preserves and pickles to leatherwork and antique collections. Also, if you’re heading to Coles Bay, the Freycinet Peninsula or further south, there are similar small community markets in nearby Swansea (second Saturday each month, 10am-1pm) and Triabunna (third Sunday each month, 10am-1pm).
Where: Ross Town Hall, Cnr Bridge and Church streets, Ross
When: Third Sunday each month
Ross, a bit further inland than most nearby East Coast towns, is a beautiful historic village worth a stop on any Tasmanian East Coast itinerary. If you time that stop with the third Sunday of each month, it’s worth visiting this cute local market, too. Food often takes a distant back seat to arts and crafts, but you can find some interesting local producers from time to time.
Where: Lions Park, Burgess Street, Bicheno
When: 11am-3pm monthly from November-April, typically on the third Sunday. Operates for special events and public holidays otherwise.
These markets are more spontaneous than standardised, so you never know exactly who’s going to be there, or what you’re going to get. But the setting and atmosphere always make for an enjoyable outing, so be sure to check out what’s on if you’re in Bicheno.
Where: Bream Creek Showgrounds
When: First Sunday each month
Combining well-supported artisan producers with a classic country-show atmosphere, Bream Creek Farmers Market is as good for a day entertaining the kids as it is a place to stock up on some yummy local supplies before escaping to the beautiful Tasman Peninsula. You can find locally made olive oil, cider, and locally grown nuts in addition to quality farmers market staples like fresh vegetables and fruit preserves. There’s even take-home meals and plenty of baked goods to set you up for a few days exploring Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, and beyond.
Tasmania’s biggest city is well known for being home to the island’s culinary and cultural scenes. However, it’s also a hub of many vibrant, grassroots and community-focused ventures, including some amazing farmers markets showcasing and supporting local food heroes in the surrounding area:
Where: 20 Kangaroo Bay Drive, Rosny
When: Every Saturday, 9am-1pm
Beautiful local apples, juicy pears, fresh seafood, vibrant heirloom veggies, delicious sourdough, and hot doughnuts all come together at this buzzing market, which takes place in a stunning lakeside setting just over the bridge from Hobart in Rosny.
Where: Bathurst Street, between Elizabeth and Murray streets, Hobart
When: Every Sunday 8:30am-1:00pm
Taking over Bathurst Street every Sunday, Hobart’s most popular market brings in amazing produce from local suppliers and superb artisan products from across the state. There’s also the famous Grub Hub, a rotating cast of 10-12 different food trucks, to keep shoppers fed and keep things fresh every week.
Where: Calvert Park, Glen Huon Road, Judbury
When: September-May, second Sunday of every month from 10am-2pm
A truly rural local market, Judbury Market combines community spirit with a gorgeous natural setting on the Huron River. Pick up some freshly shucked oysters or hot Spanish churros to keep you going while you browse the local produce. Or, settle in for an old-timey morning tea at the quaint Judd’s Cafe, an old-fashioned tea room set up inside the Community Hall and run by volunteers.
Where: High Street, Banjo
When: Every Saturday, 8am-2pm
This fun market makes it worth timing a visit to Banjo and the Derwent Valley for a Saturday morning. A range of walnut butters, boutique botanical gins, and bespoke South Asian spice mixes sit alongside spreads of more expected rural standards like jams, vegetables and greens at this great local market. There’s even live music, handcrafts, cup cakes, and French crepes for good measure.
Where: 450 South Arm Road, Lauderdale
When: First Saturday each month
The main point of difference for this popular farmers market is its beautifully manicured garden-centre setting. However, it certainly doesn’t disappoint for food or produce, either, with everything from Korean kimchi dumplings and artisan ice cream to fresh vegetables and handmade dog treats on offer.
Australia’s southernmost region may be better known for its remoteness and wild beauty. But take the time to stop in at one of these great local farmers markets and you’ll see that there’s a lot more to southern Tasmania than “just” stunning views:
Where: Woodbridge Town Hall, Channel Highway
When: Second Saturday each month
Situated in one of the cutest, quaintest town halls in Tasmania (if not all of Australia), the Woodbridge Market has a wonderful community feel. This is reflected in many of its stallholders and producers, including a local waste-reduction group who collect excess garden and farm produce and redistribute it throughout the community (and at the market). Of course, this is pear country around here. As such, you can find many different pear-based creations you never thought possible, in addition to delicious, fresh local pears in season. The market has lots of great food trucks and even a massage van, too!
Where: Town Hall, Mary St, Cygnet
When: First and third Sunday each month
A great place to stop on the way south from Hobart towards Dover or Bruny Island, Cygnet Market is a well supported community market that reflects a colourful, creative local community. Live music and art displays take place alongside food stalls, drawing people in to examine some produce for which the area is renowned such as beans, garlic and cheese, as well as some carefully sourced organic wholefoods from around Tasmania and an impressive range of dried fruits.
Where: 83 High Street, Oatlands.
When: Third Sunday each month.
An hour north of Hobart in the York Plains, Oatlands is a pretty town on the shores of Lake Dulverton worthy of a stop between the East Coast and Hobart. Better yet, this farmers market defies its name and throws forward a significant number of stalls selling everything from artisan bread (from locally milled flour) and stonebaked pizzas to fresh local vegetables, eggs, and rhubarb cordial.
If you want to find out more about what to expect in Tasmania – including how to get here and what to do – then check out the dedicated Tasmania blog for other articles of interest.
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