Guide to the Margaret River Region Farmers Markets

WORDS | Sarina Kamini Small-scale food production plus sustainable and regenerative farming practices are a big part of what makes the local food economy in the Margaret River Region such a lure. Get up close and personal with the people behind the produce at these regional farmers’ markets.

The Margaret River Farmers’ Market Every Saturday, 7.30am – 11.30am. 272 Bussell Highway, Margaret River.

Held on the TAFE grounds just south of the Margret River township on Bussell Highway, this market committee works hard to ensure authenticity and accessibility. Every market stall holder grows, produces or makes their products in the south west region. Jim and Di bring up seasonal fruit and veg from Manjimup, Michaela juices in summer and sells hot soups in winter, Marcelle heads up the local bakery team, Margaret sells her made-in-Cowaramup gold medal awardwinning butter and cheeses, and Teesha serves up dumplings. A Saturday morning here is an introduction to community as much as it is an opportunity to buy pickedyesterday produce.

The Shed Market Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 12 Caves Road, Abbey.

Produce is the star at The Shed Market, but the market itself is an icon too. Chris and Donna Carlyle founded the market after an inspirational trip to South Africa where they visited an Earth Fair Food Market in Cape Town. They wanted to create somewhere with similar intimate community connections that celebrated a love of food. Arrive at The

Fresh croissants and sweet treats are perfect pairing with your morning coffee

Busselton Foreshore Markets Every First, Third and fifth Sunday of the month From 7am to 1pm. Signal Park, Busselton Foreshore.

Shed hungry and head straight to Eat Street for a selection of on-the-spot dishes. Crowd favourites include healthy wraps from Mattia Italian Vibes, Reuben sandwiches and freshly made juices. Tumeric lattes and choc turmeric lattes with southern forest honey are also delicious. The Shed markets also host regular pop-up craft markets. One of the few Sunday markets open for low-key mornings in the south west, the Busselton Foreshore Market is an even spread between crafts, local art, clothing, regional produce and a couple of great food trucks. The location on the grass along the foreshore precinct is great for families. Take home a yummy freshly made cake, a newly potted plant or a local painting.

Vasse Markets First and third Saturday of every month, 8am – Midday. Kaloorup Road, Vasse.

Run by a small collective of stall holders for more than 30 years, the Vasse Markets bring together hand-crafted goods with fresh produce, coffee and cakes. Visit Barb for one-off quirky animal aprons, trivet mats and pot mitts. Leonie crafts jewellery. Pauline is a 15-year regular with a strong following for her cakes, pies, slices and pickles.

Dunsborough Central Markets Second and fourth Saturday of every Month from September – February. Selected dates through winter. Check the Facebook Page.

Local producers sell fruit and veg at much lower prices at the Farmers’ Markets than you’d pay at the supermarkets

Left: Enjoy the sounds of local buskers at the Margaret River Farmers’ Markets.

Held in the centre of Dunsborough at Lions Park, the Dunsborough Central Markets pushes a buy-local ethos. Fresh local produce is a highlight, but the net also casts a little wider to catch a bigger market in this centralised visitor location. Find wood products, books and pictures among the honey, cheese, paté and locally grown fruit and vegetables.

Margaret River Night Market Select dates over summer, 5.30pm – 8.30pm. Check Facebook page for dates and locations.

An adjunct to the weekly Saturday morning Farmers’ Markets in the Margaret River township, the night market leaps off from fresh produce and jumps into world food prepared by local vendors. At least 16 food trucks cover all-manner of eats from Korean kimchi burgers to Chinese dumplings, vegan treats and wood-fired pizzas. Local bands provide the back beat and drinks are on hand. The focus is on fun, affordable and yummy.

Augusta Community Markets 8am – midday, CWA car park, Allnut Terrace, Augusta. An occasional market.

Augusta is one of the more relaxed townships in the Margaret River Region, and the locals love it that way. The Augusta Community Markets reflect this close-knit and low-key vibe. The market is occupied by a group of quirky farmers who know their land and are only too happy to chat with you about it. Produce here is incredible, and there’s also a showing from the local artistic community with a range of crafts. And of course it couldn’t take place in the CWA car park if there weren’t outstanding cakes, relishes and pickles for sale. The market days are irregular, so best bet is to talk to the visitor centre to find out scheduled happenings.