The 5 Best Markets in the Hunter Valley
Discover some of the best markets hidden within the Hunter Valley!
The Hunter Valley is famed for its extensive collection of wineries. However, that doesn’t mean that the rest of the region should be missed!
The Hunter Valley is the perfect place for exploring the country, meeting local producers and tasting artisan products. Experience the cultural highlights of the region by tasting some of the local tipple, tucking into the seasonal cuisine, and visiting the many markets that scatter the Valley.
So, what are some of the best markets to check out?
1. Maitland Community Markets
On the first Sunday of every month, the Maitland Community Markets come to town. Having been a part of the Valley for more than 25 years, this market is a firm favourite for locals and visitors alike. There are over 100 stalls both indoors and outdoors, where you can browse artisan goodies and seasonal treats.
Located at the Maitland Showground, the steady attendance of this event shows that it has a strong sense of community. You can find a wide range of items at this market whether you’re looking for clothing, antiques or lifestyle products. The best part of this market is that its mission is to give funds back to local community groups, which is why this market began in the first place. Local charities are given a free stall at this market!
2. Handmade in the Hunter Markets
For the arts and crafts fans, head to the Handmade in Hunter Markets. This market takes place every Saturday and most Sundays each month. While there, you can wander amongst stalls piled high with handmade goods, including paintings and plenty of arts and crafts. The best part is you can meet the makers who tend to their stalls. Take time to find out the backstory of your souvenirs and learn more about the creation process.
What you’ll love about this market is that everything you find is 100% handmade! This means you’ll leave the wine country with a unique souvenir reminiscent of the memorable time you had. Another great thing about this market? It’s set in the award-winning Kevin Sobels Wines located in Pokolbin. This means you can head on over to the winery and pick up some Semillon after spending the morning shopping around!
3. Earth Markets Maitland
Held on the first and third Thursday of every month is the spectacular Earth Markets Maitland. This market is run by a local Slow Food nonprofit and is a great way to eat sustainably. All of the produce here has been grown within 1km of Maitland.
This market differs from others because each stall is operated by the food grower. That means you can talk directly to the source of your food and get to know the farmer!
4. Hunter Wine Country Markets
The Hunter Wine Country Markets take place every Saturday and Sunday. This market has been an important fixture on the calendar for many years. The market has heaps of boutique stalls, offering items ranging from jewellery to locally crafted produce and other goodies. Stop by this market, held at Lovedale’s De Bortoli to find the perfect Hunter Valley souvenir!
5. Wollombi Markets
If you find yourself in the Hunter Valley over a holiday weekend, make sure you venture to the Wollombi Village Market on a Monday. Boasting more than 100 stalls, you can pick up everything from local produce to handmade art and crafts, vintage clothes and more. This market contains the best of gourmet products such as cheese from Dos Juans Fine Foods, artisan sourdough bread and homemade jams.
After you’ve visited this market, take a stroll on one of the many bushwalking routes, or even follow the convict trail. Wollombi is only 30 minutes from Cessnock. If you find yourself with a day to spare, Wollombi is a gorgeous historic town that you could easily spend the weekend at. Just like some of the other markets on this list, the Wollombi Village Market stalls are all run by volunteers, which benefits the local community!
Markets are an important part of Hunter Valley life. They let locals show off and sell their wares, ranging from handmade art to seasonal produce and everything in between. Besides that, they’re a great way to meet the locals who live in the wine country and offer a good break in between visiting all those wineries! If something catches your eye at the market, be sure to pick up the pamphlets and business cards at the stalls as a lot of them have online stores. They’re well worth a visit if you want to dig deeper into the cultural highlights that the Valley has to offer.
