Not just for the tourists
WHETHER you’re picking up a souvenir for a family member, looking for a bargain or just checking out all the products that the region has to offer, there is something for everyone at the Cairns Night Markets.
In addition to the local products on sale, the Night Markets also has a food court where you can grab a selection of different cuisines, as well as fantastic affordable massages for when you feel like treating yourself.
Steven Kenny has been a stallholder at the Cairns Night Markets “since day one”, in 1997.
He owns and operates Gift of Glass, a stall that specialises in hand-blown ornamental glass gifts and custom-design work.
“I’m down here every night glass blowing and doing demonstrations,” he says.
“We get a lot of kids coming to watch, which is great. I make stuff on the spot for them — names out of glass with little animals on the end of them and things like that.”
He says over its 21-year history, the Night Markets has always been a great place for local artists and businesses to showcase their products.
“When someone comes to a market, they don’t want to see all the same gifts that they see at every other gift store in town,” Steven says.
“They want to see something unique and different, and that’s what we have here at the Night Markets.”
He says, while the market’s dessert bars are popular with the region’s locals, he’d like to see more locals coming through the marketplace.
“I think if the locals knew what is actually in here – it’s not all the tourist stuff, there’s other stuff in there that locals will really enjoy.
“They think it’s just an outlet for overseas and domestic travellers so they never bother coming in, which is a bit of a shame. But it’s not just a market for tourists, it’s a market for the locals, too.”
Some other popular stalls for locals at the Cairns Night Markets include: Banhmi 7 A fairly new addition to the Night Markets, Banhmi 7 is located near the Abbott St entrance. It serves up authentic Vietnamese street food, with many signature items not available anywhere else in Cairns. Bead Bazaar Bead Bazaar has a unusual collection of handmade beads, jewellery, sterling silver, gemstones, cool casual clothing and sarongs and hairwraps. Wombat’s Crossing Wombats Crossing offers a wide range of souvenir items such as jerky, macadamia nuts, tea, tshirts, opals and more. Cairns Wood Mate Natural handcrafted items including card wallets, combs, phone cases and sunglasses — all made out of wood. Cairns Wood Mate is a great gift shop. Ice Cloud Dessert Bar A huge variety of bubble tea and crispy golden churros (Spanish donuts) dipped in all sorts of yummy coatings, from rainbow sprinkles to Nutella. The Crepe Shop Try one of these delicious crepes filled with fruits, cream or ice cream. With all manner of flavours and combos to try, you will not be disappointed.