Bargain hunting out of town
While Cairns’ market stalls are winding down until April, our cousins on the Tablelands are filling the void, offering the perfect excuse to jump behind the wheel and head west.
THE bustling, yet tranquil atmosphere of weekend markets is something to which most Far Northerners are drawn.
While Cairns’ stalls are winding down until April, our cousins on the Tablelands are filling the void, offering the perfect excuse to jump behind the wheel and head west.
From Tumoulin to Atherton, there is no shortage of options for those with cash to splash.
The Yungaburra market, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in May, is the oldest on the Atherton Tablelands.
About 250 stallholders gather to sell fresh produce, flowers, homemade crafts, local wines, wooden furniture, clothing and other bits and bobs.
Market manager Howard Oellerman said a greater emphasis had been put on local stalls in recent times.
“Whether it is baking French bread to growing your own corn, we giving preference to the local stallholders,” Mr Oellerman said.
He said it was an opportunity for Cairns folk to explore everything the Tablelands had to offer.
“You can make a day of seeing the Tablelands and doing the markets first thing in the morning, then spending the rest of the day sightseeing the tourist attractions,’ he said.
Markets are held at Bruce Jones Park on the Gillies Highway.