The Best Markets to Visit in Central Australia

You know you’ve come to the Red Centre at the right time of year when it’s market season. Blue skies and cooler temperatures are the perfect combination to browse locally made wares and sit in the park with a plate from one of many food trucks. 

 

Alice Springs

Todd Mall Markets

Fortnightly Sundays, 9am–1pm: March–December.

The Todd Mall Markets are the place to be on a Sunday morning. Grab breakfast or lunch from your choice of food trucks, serving up popular street food from as far as Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Enjoy browsing locally designed clothing, jewellery, arts and crafts, or relax on the lawn and listen to some live music. Find out when the next market is on here.

Todd Mall Market 2

Todd Mall Market 1

Todd Mall Markets

The Night Markets

Select Thursdays, 5–9pm: April–December.

The Night Markets bring the Todd Mall to life around events like Parrtjima, Finke Desert Race and Desert Festival. You’ll find food vendors galore, Indigenous art, live music and special event entertainment. See the Alice Springs Town Council website for dates and more details.

Desert Mob Marketplace

Annually: September.

The Desert Mob Marketplace takes place each year as part of the week-long Desert Mob showcase. This large art market at Araluen Arts Centre is a great opportunity to buy ethically sourced Aboriginal art. The Aboriginal-owned art centres of Central Australia come together to sell paintings, punu, ceramics, Tjanpi weaving, sculptures, clothing, jewellery, textiles and homewares. All income from sales goes to the art centres.

Desert Mob Marketplace 1

Desert Mob Marketplace 4

Desert Mob Marketplace

Tennant Creek

Tennant Market Community Lawn Sale

Fortnightly on Saturdays, 8am–12pm: April–December.

Head to the Transit Centre every second Saturday morning to support the Tennant Creek local community. Located next to the Red Centre Cafe, there is a variety of local stallholders on rotation, including a coffee van and food vendors. Browse bric-a-brac, locally made art and craft, and don’t forget some homemade treats from the Country Women’s Association stand to enjoy on the road.

Central Australia Shows

Alice Springs Show

Annually: first Friday & Saturday in July.

Held at Blatherskite Park, the Alice Springs Show offers a regional Australian show experience to rival any other. There’s truly something for everyone: from rides, animal encounters and showbags for the kids; cooking competitions, hobbies and crafts; to educational opportunities showcasing the local agricultural and pastoral industries. 

 

Tennant Creek Show

Annually: second Friday in July.

Held at Jubilee Park, the Tennant Creek Show has brought the community of the Barkly region together since 1980. A great day out, the show offers kid’s entertainment, exhibits, market stalls, baking and craft competitions, agricultural and pastoral sideshows and more.

Alice Springs Show crowd

Alice Springs Show Pastoral comp

Alice Springs Show

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