15 must-visit markets in and around Cairns

Sharing the region’s incredibly diverse offerings, there’s a Cairns market out there to suit every taste, budget, and whim.

Cairns offers a hefty number of unique experiences but when it comes to tasting the unique flavours of this region you have to head to its markets. Here are 15 of the best markets in Cairns, from stalls along the beachside promenade and out in the rustic country to indoor night markets and plenty more in between.

1. Carnival on Collins

A market and festival wrapped up in one? Yes Please. Join the annual Carnival on Collins Street party celebrating life in the tropics as you wander through the Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens precinct. Be entertained in every direction, from pop-up dance acts, and lively street performers, to the multicultural rhythms coming from the main stage. Over 200 market stalls will feature on the day, with plants, arts, and crafts, alongside an extensive array of free workshops.

Open: Sunday 3 September 2023 from 9am – 3pm
Address: Tanks Arts Centre, 46 Collins Ave, Edge Hill
Distance from Cairns Centre: 7 minutes

2. Rusty’s Market

Those in town for the weekend should set their sights (and stomachs) on the iconic Rusty’s Market. What began as a modest, community food market has now transformed into a bustling three-day event showcasing over 180 stalls. Both tourists and locals convene from Friday to Sunday to browse the region’s best.

Fill your basket with fresh fruits at Rusty’s Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

You’ll find local produce – exotic fruit, artisan bread, samosas, coffee, smoothies, organic meats, and the like – as well as international foods, jewellery, clothing, and more.

Drop by Rusty’s Markets to shop for local produce. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekly from 5am
Address: 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns City
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 minute

3. Cairns Night Markets

Each night when the sun sets, the Cairns Night Markets come alive and are famous for good reason. With over 70 market shops to explore (including gifts, homeware, jewellery, and more), as well as a varied food court and licensed restaurants, it’s the perfect place to grab dinner and hunt for a bargain. Oh, and it’s fully air-conditioned too so if it’s a scorcher of a night, you know where to go.

Find unique gifts and trinkets at Cairns Night Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open: Daily from 4.30pm
Address: 54-60 Abbott St, Cairns City
Distance from Cairns Centre: 3 minutes

4. Tanks Art Centre Markets 

For a taste of the arts, the Tanks Markets showcase a blend of local art, craft, and vintage clothing, as well as produce, collectables, natural-health products, and food and drink stalls. Everyone is invited to wander the leafy promenade and enjoy the local musicians and refreshments.

Open: Held on the fourth Sunday of the month from 9am – 2pm (between April and November)
Address: Tanks Arts Centre, 46 Collins Ave, Edge Hill
Distance from Cairns Centre: 7 minutes

5. Holloway Beach Markets

Boasting over 140 stalls of locally crafted and sourced products, start your day along the esplanade at the picturesque Holloway Beach Markets. Here you can take your time tasting delectable food offerings, enjoying a fresh juice or ground coffee, admiring locally made arts and crafts, checking out the racks of fashion and accessories, marvelling at the skill of talented wood turners, and browsing through an array of household goods, fruit, plants, and flowers.

Open: Held on the second Sunday of the month from 8am – 1pm
Address: Casuarina Street, Holloways Beach
Distance from Cairns Centre: 15 minutes

6. Redlynch Twilight Markets

Held bi-monthly (see the Redlynch Valley Facebook page for dates), the Redlynch Twilight Markets offer a variety of stalls to browse, from local arts, crafts, and household items, to food, a licensed bar, and even a jumping castle. Buskers are welcome.

Open: Held bi-monthly from 5pm – 8pm
Address: Xavier Herbert Drive Park, Redlynch
Distance from Cairns Centre: 20 minutes

7. Gordonvale Cottage Markets

At the heart of the sugar farming township of Gordonvale is their monthly market with a happy country vibe, often with live music, and an enjoyable atmosphere. There are around 120 stalls to explore, including a wide variety of homemade crafts, locally grown produce, and delicious food.

Open: Held on the first Saturday of every month
Address: Norman Park, Gordonvale
Distance from Cairns Centre: 25 minutes

8. Palm Cove Markets

Heroing its sustainable, local, quality handmade products, the Palm Cove Markets have a reputation for being one of Tropical North Queensland’s best community markets.

Spend the first Sunday of the month at Palm Cove Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

With over 130 stalls stretched across Williams Esplanade and entertainment alongside beachside scenery, it’s a market experience, unlike anything you’re used to at home.

Feel the warm ocean breeze while shopping at Palm Cove Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Held on the first Sunday of every month
Address: Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Distance from Cairns Centre: 30 minutes

9. Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets

Found high up in the famous mountain village of Kuranda, the Kuranda Rainforest Markets showcase the area’s local arts, cuisine, culture, and history and attract thousands of visitors annually.

Find everything from art to delicious eats at Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland/James Vodicka)

With rustic yet charming outdoor stalls, a strong eco-conscious ethic, gourmet regional fare, tropical gardens to walk through, and even a mini golf course, it’s one of the best day trips from Cairns.

Meet talented artisans at Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Held Wednesday to Sunday from 10am – 3.30pm
Address: 7/13 Therwine St, Kuranda
Distance from Cairns Centre: 35 minutes

10. Marina Markets at Crystalbrook Marina Port Douglas

Wednesday is a popular day for cruise ships to visit Port Douglas, so what better place to hold a market than at the Marina to greet visitors? It’s an easy way to hop off and connect with local products and services.

Shop by the waterfront Marina Markets at Crystalbrook Marina Port Douglas. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Held every Wednesday from 11am – 5pm (closed in November, February, and March)
Address: 44 Wharf St, Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour

11. Port Douglas Sunday Markets

Now almost 25 years old, the Port Douglas Sunday Markets have a little bit of everything, from freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, opened coconuts, chocolate-coated bananas, fresh tandoori, and ice creams, smoothies, and great coffee, as well as fashion, jewellery, art, music, local buskers and entertainers.

Enjoy shopping with your mates at Port Douglas Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Held every Sunday from early morning to late afternoon
Address: Rex Smeal Park, Macrossan Street, Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour

Arrive hungry and take your pick of delicious eats. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

12. Mareeba Markets

Browse up to 180 stalls at the Mareeba Markets showcasing locally grown produce, quality handmade products, food drinks, live music, and much more. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support the area’s local sellers in the community.

Open: Held every second and fifth Saturday of the month
Address: Mareeba Turf Club, 1 Fenwick St, Mareeba
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour 5 minutes

13. Mossman Markets

Described as the world’s most beautiful markets under the Mossman Raintrees, the Mossman Markets are a genuine country market where you can expect to find a lot of fresh produce, including exotic fruits, herbs and spices, and a wide range of vegetables. As well as taste testing and browsing, take your pick of arts and crafts to take home as a unique handmade souvenir.

Sample and browse your way around Mossman Markets. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Held every Saturday from 7am – 1pm
Address: 13 Foxton Ave, Mossman
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes

14. Yungaburra Markets

Fancy a day trip to the Atherton Tablelands? With a relaxed family atmosphere and the philosophy of fostering the value of buying local, the Yungaburra Markets bring together around 250 local growers, producers, and artisans to display and sell their produce and handiwork in the middle of the historic village of Yungaburra.

Marvel at the vibrant street art in Yungaburra Village. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Open: Held every fourth Saturday of the month from 7.30am – 12.30pm
Address: 4 Maple St, Yungaburra
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes

15. Mission Beach Markets

Located in the shady Ulysses Day Park beside the beach on Porter Promenade, you’ll find something for everyone at the local Mission Beach Markets. Meander around 100 stall sites consisting of a wide range of goods from fruit and veg, takeaway food, plants, clothing, jewellery, books, second-hand items and handcrafted wares, and more.

Look for handcrafted items at Mission Beach Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open: Held every first and third Sunday of the month from 7.30am – 12pm

Address: Ulysses Park, Porter Promenade, Mission Beach

Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour 50 minutes

Stay up to date with openings, special market events, and local community markets via the Cairns Market Facebook page.

Ready for another adventure? Check out this epic list of things to do in Cairns.