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14 Cairns Markets to Add to the Calendar
Sharing the region’s incredibly diverse offerings, there’s a Cairns market out there to suit every taste, budget, and whim.
Tropical North Queensland offers a hefty number of unique experiences, but when it comes to tasting the unique flavours of this region, you have to head to the eclectic variety of Cairns markets.
From stalls along the beachside promenade and out in the rustic country to indoor night markets and plenty more in between, here are 14 of the best markets Cairns has to offer.
1. Rusty’s Market
Delight in sweet creations at Rusty’s Market. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
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 every week, showcasing over 180 stalls.
Both tourists and locals convene from Friday to Sunday to browse the region’s best. You’ll find local produce – exotic fruit, artisan bread, samosas, coffee, smoothie’s organic meats, and the like – as well as international foods, jewellery, clothing and more.
Opening hours: Friday – Saturday 5am to 6pm and Sunday 5am to 3pm.
Location: 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns City
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 minute drive
2. Cairns Night Markets
Find unique gifts and trinkets at Cairns Night Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
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.
Opening hours: Daily 4.30 – 11pm.
Location: 54-60 Abbott St, Cairns City
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 minute drive
3. Carnival on Collins
Wander through the lush Cairns Botanic Gardens. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
A market and festival wrapped up 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.
Opening hours: Sunday 7 September 2025, 9am – 3pm
Location: Tanks Arts Centre & Cairns Botanic Gardens, 46 Collins Avenue, Edge Hill.
Distance from Cairns Centre: 8 minutes drive
4. Tanks Monthly Markets
For a taste of the arts, the Tanks Monthly 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.
Opening hours: Held on the last Sunday of the month from 8am – 1pm (between April and November).
Location: Tanks Arts Centre, 46 Collins Ave, Edge Hill
Distance from Cairns Centre: 8 minutes drive
5. Gordonvale Cottage Markets
Find an abundance of potted plants at Gordonvale Cottage Markets. (Image: Getty/Ольга Симонова)
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.
Opening hours: Held on the first Saturday of every month (except in January).
Location: Norman Park, Gordonvale
Distance from Cairns Centre: 25 minutes drive
6. Palm Cove Markets
Chakra coconut candles at 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. 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.
Opening hours: Held on the first Sunday of every month.
Location: Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Distance from Cairns Centre: 30 minutes drive
7. Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets
Meander around the stalls at Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/ Tourism Tropical North Queensland)
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.
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, why not enjoy a whole day trip here?
Opening hours: Held every day 10am – 3pm.
Location: 13 Therwine St, Kuranda
Distance from Cairns Centre: 35 minutes drive
8. Port Douglas Sunday Markets
Spend your Sunday shopping at the esplanade. (Image: Port Douglas Sunday Markets)
Just a short stroll from the esplanade, 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.
Opening hours: Held every Sunday from early morning to late afternoon.
Location: Rex Smeal Park, Macrossan Street, Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour drive
9. Wednesday Market at Crystalbrook Superyach Marina in Port Douglas
Enjoy some shopping on Wednesdays at the marina. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
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.
Opening hours: Held every Wednesday from 11am – 5pm (April to October) and every Wednesday over Christmas school holidays.
Location: 44 Wharf St, Port Douglas
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour drive
10. Mareeba Markets
Shop locally grown produce at Mareeba Markets.
Browse up to 150 stalls at the Mareeba Markets showcasing locally grown produce, quality handmade products, food, drinks, live music and much more. Coordinated by the Lions Club of Mareeba, it’s a fantastic opportunity to support the area’s local sellers in the community.
Opening hours: Held every second and fifth Saturday of the month.
Location: 100 Park (Centenary Park), Byrnes Street, Mareeba
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour drive
11. Yungaburra Markets
Meander around the stalls selling fresh fruits at Yungaburra Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
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 260 local growers, producers, and artisans to display and sell their produce and handiwork in the middle of the historic village of Yungaburra.
Opening hours: Held every fourth Saturday of the month from 7.30am – 12.30pm.
Location: 4 Maple Street, Yungaburra
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes drive
12. Mossman Markets
Browse your way around the stalls selling arts and crafts. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)
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.
Opening hours: Held every Saturday from 7am – 1pm.
Location: 13 Foxton Ave, Mossman
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour and 15 minutes drive
13. Mission Beach Markets
Look for handcrafted items at Mission Beach Markets. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
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.
Opening hours: Held every first and third Sunday of the month from 8am – 1pm.
Location: Opposite Hideaway Holiday Village in Porter Promenade in the Mission Beach Village
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour and 50 minutes drive
14. Mission Beach Monster Markets
Managed and promoted by the Mission Beach Rotary Club, the Wednesday Monster Markets are a much-loved sibling to the Sunday Mission Beach Markets, but held nearby on a grassed sports field at MARCS Park, where you can expect to find much the same — a huge variety of exciting stalls.
Opening hours: Held on the last Sunday of every month from 8am – 12.30pm (April to November)
Location: MARCS Park, Cassowary Drive, Mission Beach
Distance from Cairns Centre: 1 hour and 50 minutes drive
Stay up to date with openings, special market events, and local community markets via the Cairns Market Facebook page.
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