Family Fun at Tasmania’s farmers’ markets

Tasmania is rightly famous for its fabulous food, and for families there can be no better place to enjoy it than at a farmers’ market, where you’ll find the freshest local produce and plenty of fun for the kids too.  

The oldest community-run farmers’ market in Tasmania, Burnie Farmers Market is the best place to buy fresh local produce, and chat with the producer or farmer. There are several stalls to choose from, including food and beverage, baked goods, arts, crafts and hand-made products.

1^st and 3^rd Saturday of every month, 8am-1pm, Wivenhoe Showgrounds, Burnie

A balloon artist, live music and dancing, and a play area should help keep the little ones busy at Harvest Launceston, in between enjoying home-grown Tassie goodness, from gelato to organic berries. Whenever you go, get there early and prepare to stay for a few hours. “It’s colourful, vibrant, and very social,” says market manager Julia Wever.

Saturdays, 8.30-12.30pm, 71 Cimitiere Street (in the car park opposite Albert Hall), Launceston

Hobart families love the Farm Gate Market, especially since it moved to its on-street site in the city centre three years ago. They meet at the Bub Hub, a big grassed area in the centre of the market, complete with two big apple crates full of toys. “The market is a Sunday institution for families,” says market owner Madi Seeber-Peattie. “It’s full of laughter and kids running around.” There are up to 70 stalls, all of which are selling Tasmanian produce, with kids’ favourites including organic vegan coconut ice-cream tubs and irresistible sourdough doughnuts.

Sundays, 8.30-1pm, Bathurst Street (between Murray and Elizabeth streets), Hobart

Technically a street food market, Street Eats @ Franco is a bit special in that it is run on farmers’ market principles: everything must be produced in Tasmania. It’s a family-friendly Friday night gathering at which kids run around the sprawling lawns, climb trees and dance to live music while their parents enjoy a glass of Tassie beer or wine. No one will go hungry: every funky food stall is obliged to offer a children’s dish, with family faves including wood-fired pizzas, Korean bao zi (pork buns) and vegie nachos.

Every Friday, November to April, 4.30pm-9pm, Franklin Square, 70 Macquarie Street, Hobart

The bean bags in front of the stage get a good workout from kids attending Bream Creek Farmers Market, overlooking green hills halfway between Hobart and Port Arthur. There are drawing, colouring-in and face-painting activities, and even clowns, acrobats and other kids’ entertainment at special events throughout the year. All the food, drinks and plants on the 25 to 30 stalls are Tasmanian, with ginger beer, cakes and pastries, and local fruit among the kids’ favourites. “It’s a great vibe,” says committee coordinator Kate Field. “Kids have such a good time.”

1^st Sunday of every month, 9am-1pm, Bream Creek Showgrounds

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.