Top 6 Markets in Darwin, Australia!
Guest post: by Michael Howard
Darwin is a tropical paradise right at the top end of Australia in the Northern Territory.
Darwin is known for its markets. Each market has its unique twist and all offer something a little different. From kid friendly options, produce and live music, there is a market in the Top End that is suitable for everyone. The great news is that no matter what the season, there are some markets that go all year round.
Want a spicy laksa at 7am? There is a market for that.
Looking for a world class sunset while browsing local artisan crafts? There is a market for that.
After some unique produce from Asia? There is a market for that too.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of each market and what they offer, that’s a little different to the others.
Icon Guide
1. Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
LOCATION: Mindil Beach (you can’t miss it)
PARKING: Ample parking is on the grassy park set just behind the market. With a high turnover, there are always plenty of parks – and at no charge!
OPERATION: Thursday & Sunday from April to October
TIMES: 4pm to 9pm
Mindil Markets is a must do if you are fortunate enough to be in Darwin during the dry season. Starting in 1987, Mindil Beach Sunset Market has only grown in popularity over the years and as swelled to an impressive 200+ stalls offering great food, arts and crafts, and live entertainment and performing artists.
The range of food on offer is massive, with something to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters and people on restrictive diets – vegan offerings, gluten free bakes and South East Asian food a plenty.
Entertainment wise, there is a playground for the young ones and child friendly music is performed throughout the evening.
There are also many local artists selling Top End inspired jewelry and artwork, truly unique pieces that make for a great keepsake.
PRO TIP: Picnic blankest and chairs are recommended – there is plenty of space behind the stalls under shade.
2. Parap Village Markets
LOCATION: Parap Shopping Village
PARKING: Early bird gets the worm! Arrive just before 8am and you will find parking a short walk away. Arrive after 9am and be prepared to park on side streets up to 500m away.
OPERATION: Year round on Saturdays
TIMES: 8am – 2pm
Parap Village Market is where laksa lovers can get their fill. Laksa is a South East Asian noodle soup and at Parap Village Market you can find Darwin’s most prestigious vendors. Long lines give away the location of the famous ‘Mary’s laksa’ and ‘Yati’s Laksa and Long Soup’ stalls. There is no need to limit yourself to the soup however, the laksa flavor can be found in meat pies, cheesecakes and even ice cream at this popular market.
Take a walk around the market and you can also find quality produce of Darwin’s in season fruits and vegetables. At the right time of year, mango prices can be so good, they are practically giving them away.
A great selection of artisan creations is also on offer and there are plenty of ATM’s available for those who need cash, although most stalls accept cards.
There isn’t much in the way of entertainment at this Market – its vibe is very much, get what you need, and take it away.
PRO TIP: You can take your own reusable bowl for your laksa, to make car travel worry free.
3. Rapid Creek Market
LOCATION: Rapid Creek Shopping Center on Tower Road
PARKING: Bad! But fast moving. The parking is hit and miss, the good news is most market goers don’t spend a long time here. So, after a couple of circles around the side streets, you can usually find something close.
OPERATION: Year-round (Saturdays and Sundays)
TIMES: 6:30am – 1:30pm
Rapid Creek Market is more of a local hangout where people can gather fresh greens and a decent selection of Asian inspired food. Not much more at this market, meaning it’s a good spot to get in and out and pick up the weekly greens.
Seasonal fruit and Asian delicacies can be found in abundance here at reasonable prices with friendly vendors. Card transactions do attract a small surcharge at this market, so cash is king.
Although not much in the way of entertainment and crafts, it is still a decent market for those who like to cook at home.
PRO TIP: Practice your parallel parking.
4. Nightcliff Markets
LOCATION: Progress Village, Nightcliff
PARKING: Awesome, across the road beside the police station has a lot of overflow parking and is only a short, 60m stroll to the markets. Plenty of parking surrounds the markets as well.
OPERATION: Year-round (Saturdays)
TIMES: 8am – 2pm
The only market to deservedly get all 6 badges of honor, having its fair share of food, clothes, produce, crafts, art and entertainment.
The market is located in the center of a shopping village, with stalls offering a wide range of options, a playground located in the middle for children and live music that isn’t too disruptive.
A great point of difference for this market is that the surrounding shops also remain open, meaning you can beat the heat and duck into one of the many cafes on the market fringes. There is also a few other offerings not widely found at the other markets such as second hand books and plants.
PRO TIP: 50% of the market is under cover, so don’t let the occasional forecasted shower put you off!
5. Palmerston Market
LOCATION: Goyder Square, Palmerston
PARKING: Good. Sharing its surrounds with a shopping center, there is plenty of parking with spots rotating quickly
OPERATION: May - October (Fridays)
TIMES: 5:30pm – 9:30pm
This is a great market for those with kids – with entertainment targeted toward little ones. There is a large grassy area for the picnic blankets and a wide range of everything! The food selection hasn’t the range of the Mindil Market and the produce is limited, but it has enough to satisfy all.
A great thing about this market is its on a Friday, so you can buy treats to have over the weekend. Also, as the sun sets, flocks of parrots fly overhead. Overall, a nice market and a great excuse to leave the Darwin CBD area.
PRO TIP: Officially, it opens at 5:30pm however the stalls start serving as early as 4. So don’t be afraid to show up a little early and pick a good spot out on the grass.
6. Fred’s Pass Rural Market
LOCATION: Corner of Bees Creek Road and Stuart Highway
PARKING: Great! Dedicated parking surrounding the market.
OPERATION: Year round (Saturdays)
TIMES: 8pm – 1pm
A smaller market, but not without its charm. Great produce and plants on offer at this market as well as a small selection of food stalls. There are also some art stalls showing off the Top End’s artistic talent.
This is more of a local market, with a wide selection of home bakes and preserves that are of top quality. Although there isn’t much in the way of entertainment for children, there is a large stall which sells a large variety of live birds (chickens and parrots) which kids will naturally gravitate toward!
A great thing about this market is that it is undercover, meaning you can dodge the sun in the dry season and be protected from the rain in the wet.
PRO TIP: It is 30km from Darwin’s CBD – so if you are going to go to this market, why not tie it in with a trip to the Howard Springs Tavern, only a 10 minutes drive away.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you got some good tips on the best markets to check out in Darwin!
Let us know in the comments if you’ve been to any of these, or which ones you would like to see!
Guest post: by Michael Howard
