farmers’ markets
QUEENSLAND Dagun Growers’ Market, every Saturday In a bid to engage travellers on the restored Mary Valley stream train — or, in local parlance, the affectionately named ‘Rattler’ — that runs between Gympie and Amamoor, a group of food producers from Dagun serve wine and cheese and sell fresh food at the station when the train pulls in (at other stations you’ll be treated to a Devonshire tea, historic re-enactment or arts and crafts display). This had previously been a goods line, transporting pineapples and milk to Gympie before closing in the 1990s. When the tourism potential of the line was recognised, the Dagun community got together to restore their station with the assistance of a grant from the Queensland State Government. Enjoy (and buy) local liqueurs and port and a taste of Mary Valley’s delicious Kenilworth Dairies cheese. The Mary Valley Country Harvest Co-operative stall, a co-op of dozens of growers, has a bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale which, at this time of year, will include just-picked citrus — pomelo, mandarin, tangelos, oranges, ruby grapefruit, Buddha’s hand lemons and more. Dagun Railway Station, 14 Dagun Road, Dagun. 2pm to 6pm. 0459 225 399 WA Joondalup Growers’ Market, every Saturday There would be very few farmers’ market locations to rival this one in Central Park in Joondalup, a 30-minute drive north of Perth. The park comprises six glorious hectares of remnant bush and open grassland, lakes and water features — not to mention a boardwalk and trails. It’s a wonderful outdoor recreational space that is only made better because it has a weekly fresh food market onsite. Farmers come from all over: The Organic Fine Food Company brings a wide range of goods — organic meats, eggs, fruit, vegetables and pantry items — all the way from Bridgetown in the south. Like Real Fresh, another fruit and vegetable stall, and That Citrus Guy, who will be in full swing this month, they sell out of their wares each week, such is the hunger in the area for fresh produce. Other wonderful stalls to check out include Santoro Grove’s olive oil (which is made from olives grown and processed in nearby Gingin), Wootra Farm Preserves and Nectar Honey. There’s always music and, for avid readers, there’s a community book exchange to enjoy, too. South Central Park (off Grand Boulevard), Central Joondalup. 8am to noon. joondalupgrowers.com.au