Quick Bites:
🛍️ Top Picks: Homegrown Markets, Made & Found, Newcastle Farmers Market
🌿Best for: Local makers, fresh produce, vintage finds
🎶 Vibe: Creative, community-focused, family-friendly
📅 When: Most weekends (check individual market pages below for dates)
📍 Where: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie (and a new one: Maitland!)
Thank you for reading!
Weekends in Newcastle often start the same way for us: at a market. Coffee in hand, wandering through stalls, kids playing on the grass, music floating in the background – it truly is one of those simple yet expansive rituals that makes this city feel like home.
Growing up, markets weren’t really a big part of my life. Shopping usually meant malls or supermarkets, not chatting to a local grower about their veggies or stumbling across handmade jewellery. Maybe that’s why I love them so much now. There’s something slower and more intentional about markets because they bring people together in such a joyful, connected way.
In fact, Fresh Saturdays was inspired by my love of markets. So many of my ideas have come from mornings spent wandering stalls, soaking up the vibe, and feeling inspired by local makers and their creativity. That’s the spirit I’ve always wanted to capture here: food, community, and little discoveries that brighten everyday life.
So, without further ado, here are three Newcastle markets that we keep going back to – each with its own charm.
Our favourite Newcastle markets
1. Homegrown Markets
Homegrown is one of those markets that just feels good to be at. I still remember the first time we went when it was held at The Station in Newcastle East – the old railway site transformed into a lively hub of stalls, music, and families sprawled out on picnic blankets. There was this buzz in the air that made you want to slow down, browse, and soak it all in.
Whether it’s set up at The Station or spread across the lawns at Speers Point Park, the atmosphere is always welcoming and full of energy. The stalls are a mix of handmade jewellery, ceramics, kids’ clothes, plants, and beautiful homewares, alongside food trucks that tempt you with everything from dumplings to those famous and delicious gluten-free doughnuts. It’s impossible not to leave without a little treat in hand.
What I love most about it is how connected it feels. Stallholders are always up for a chat, happy to share the story behind their products, and you can tell how much passion goes into their work. It makes browsing feel personal, almost like you’re part of their journey in a small way. By the end of the morning, your tote bag is always heavier, your coffee’s long gone, and you’ve probably discovered something you didn’t even know you needed. Oh, and I can’t forget about the beautiful musical artists who sing their heart out and treat the community to a little live music! It’s such a beautiful way to spend the morning.
I love Homegrown markets because it’s creative, community-driven, and one of those places that reminds me why I love calling Newcastle home.
2. Made & Found
Made & Found is more of a vintage and pre-loved market, brought to us by the same organisers behind Homegrown (who are honestly the loveliest people, by the way). Where Homegrown is all about makers and creatives, Made & Found leans into nostalgia: racks of vintage clothes, shelves of pre-loved treasures, and handmade finds that feel like little works of art. There are usually food trucks parked nearby too, which makes it easy to grab a coffee or something to snack on while you browse.
This market means a lot to me personally because I’ve experienced it from both sides. I started out as a visitor, happily wandering through the stalls, but more recently I’ve been a stallholder myself, selling some pre-loved items. Being on the other side of the table gave me such a deep appreciation for how much care goes into each stall – the way people curate their displays, the thought behind every piece, the hours of preparation that you don’t see as a passer-by. It’s a reminder that these markets aren’t just about buying and selling; they’re about sharing stories and connecting with others.
And that’s really the magic of Made & Found – it feels like a treasure hunt every single time. You never quite know what you’ll stumble across: maybe it’s the perfect vintage jacket, a quirky piece of home décor, or a handmade gift that feels one-of-a-kind. Regardless of the things you end up buying, you’ll always leave with a nice memory of the day.
3. Newcastle City Farmers Market
The Newcastle City Farmers Market is the kind of place that makes Sundays feel like Sundays. It’s a tradition for so many locals, and for good reason! fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the farm, artisan bread still warm from the oven, bunches of flowers that brighten the week ahead, local cheeses, seafood, honey, and all sorts of baked treats. It’s part weekly shop, part morning out.
For us, it’s become a bit of a ritual. We’ll wander in with no real plan, grab a coffee and a pastry (because you can’t not), and then slowly make our way around the stalls. Rory usually insists on picking out something of her own – strawberries or flowers, depending on the day – and it’s those little moments that make the outing special.
What I love most is how grounded it feels. Talking to the growers, learning where your food comes from, and seeing the pride people have in their produce adds a whole other layer to cooking at home. There’s something comforting about knowing the story behind your sourdough loaf or the veggies in your dinner.
The Farmers Market might not have the same handmade trinkets or vintage treasures as the other markets, but what it offers is just as valuable: a connection to the people who feed the community. And that’s a pretty special way to spend a Sunday morning.
Why we love them
Each market has its own personality: Homegrown with its creative buzz, Made & Found with its vintage soul, and the Farmers Market with its abundance of food. What ties them together is the sense of community that flows through each one.
For us, visiting markets has become a way to feel connected, discover something new, and be reminded of the creativity and generosity that lives in this city. And in many ways, that’s the heart of Fresh Saturdays too.
Next time you’re looking for something to do, spend a morning at one of Newcastle’s markets. You’ll come home with good food, unique finds, and maybe even a new story.
Which Newcastle market is your favourite? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram if you visit one this weekend.
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Homegrown Markets
📍 Locations: The Station Newcastle East, Speers Point Park, Harold Gregson Reserve
📅 When: 21 Sept at Harold Gregson Reserve, Maitland! (Their first Maitland market!) + other weekends (check their socials for dates)
🔗 homegrownmarkets.com.au
IG: Homegrown Markets
Made & Found
📍 Location: The Station Newcastle East
📅 When: 12 October (check their socials for other dates)
🔗 homegrownmarkets.com.au/made-and-found
IG: Made & Found
Newcastle City Farmers Market
📍 Location: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow
📅 When: Every Sunday, 7 AM – 1 PM
🔗 newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au
IG: Newcastle Farmers Market
