The ultimate market guide to South Australia

As every South Australian local knows, the Adelaide Central Market is a melting pot of produce, people and culture. City dwellers, suburbanites and sightseers flock to the Chinatown hotspot for fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan produce, and maybe even a cheeky treat from Nanna Hot Bake, one of the 80-plus stallholders.

The Adelaide Central Market is one of the largest under-cover bazaars in the Southern Hemisphere. Its bountiful booths, host almost 150 years of history – but it's not without some competition.

From produce and plants to clothes and homewares, here's a handcrafted guide to South Australia's most lively markets.

Shop from more than 80 traders at Adelaide Central Market. Photo: Ian Routledge

Food glorious food

Like the Adelaide Central Market, farmers' markets are a fantastic opportunity to snap up fresh, local produce directly from the folks who grow it.

The Adelaide Farmers' Market is the largest of its kind in South Australia, taking over the Adelaide Showground in Wayville every Sunday morning. A smorgasbord of stalls offer fruit, vegies, meat, dairy products, baked goods, condiments, coffee and more. Come for the gourmet groceries, stay for a free sustainable living sessions or market kitchen demonstration.

Fancy a Saturday drive to pick up supplies? The Adelaide Farmers' Market group also run the Gawler Farmers' Market. While you're in the area, drop by the Barossa Farmers Market to grab seasonal produce, and a bottle to match.

Sweet delights at Adelaide Farmers' Market. Photo: Josie Withers

Head to the Adelaide Hills to peruse the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, or hit the expressway to Willunga Farmers Market, both open bright and early on Saturday mornings.

Closer to the heart of the city, there's Wild at Hart, trading in "thoughtful produce for mindful people" every Sunday morning in Port Adelaide.

The western suburbs also boast the new Plant 4 Bowden precinct, which hosts growers and makers of all sorts on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays until 3pm. Founded by the Market Shed on Holland team (open every Sunday), expect the same gold standard of sustainable, organic produce that made its CBD forebear a staple of Adelaide's market culture.

Decorating the home

With a similar green ethos to the Market Shed on Holland, Prospect Eco Market is a great, town-square marketplace for all your ethical shopping needs. Chat with local sellers about their new and repurposed homewares, art, craft and fashion.

Are you known for nesting at home? Don't miss the biannual Bowerbird Design Market, showcasing a range of jewellers, ceramicists, dressmakers, upholsterers and more. It's a haven for those with an abiding love of ideas, details and technique. Once you've been inspired by the talented craftspeople, try your hand at a workshop and ignite your own crafty flair.

Indulgent delights including candles, oils, soaps and scrubs, sit alongside homewares, fashion and accessories at the new-look Guild Marketplace (formerly Flinders Street Market) open Saturday and Sunday. Swing past the nearby Gilles Street Market for a similar, vintage-inspired vibe.

Local makers, growers, artists and musicians unite at Plant 4 Bowden. Photo: David Cann

During summer, the Ebenezer Night Markets pops up in Adelaide's buzzing east end. Art, craft and design stalls take over the quaint Ebenezer Place, just off Rundle Street, each Friday evening from December to March.

If shopping in balmy dusk hours is your scene, add the Adelaide Night Market to your summer calendar too. Find their craft stalls and food trucks on North Terrace near the Prince Henry Garden.

Speaking of gardens, if you're sprucing up the yard or in need of indoor flora, the ABC Gardeners' Market is a treat for green thumbs. They run every April and October. Follow ABC Adelaide for dates and details.

Australian designers, makers and artists come together at Bowerbird Design Market. Photo: Josie Withers

Fashion, trash and treasure

When it's time to refresh your wardrobe, there are markets for bargain hunters, big spenders and all budgets in between.

In the atmospheric Queen's Theatre, gathered is a new fashion and design market that emphasises curation and customer experience. Nooks and crannies throughout the venue are styled to inspire, relax and entertain while you browse bespoke wares – made exclusively in South Australia and meet the creators on their home soil.

Fans of retro fashions are spoiled for choice at Round She Goes, where 50 stalls are packed with pre-loved vintage and designer clothes. This award-winning, travelling market calls into Adelaide again on Saturday 5, August 2017. Start saving your pennies and get ready to rummage! (Pro tip: if you thrive on the hunt as well as the bargain, try Fishermen's Wharf Market in Port Adelaide and Gepps X Treasure Market at the Mainline Drive-In – for all kinds of trinkets awaiting new homes).

Atmospheric: gathered market is held in the Queen's Theatre. Photo: Supplied

Last but not least, for purveyors of the finest yesteryear bits and pieces, Littlest Vintage presents That Dapper Market. Aptly named, this charming market pops up all over Adelaide – most recently at Littlest Vintage's bricks and mortar store in McLaren Vale. Home to vintage vendors and traditional makers, this market features food, a bar and live music.

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