Cairns Markets Guide: Fresh Produce, Artisan Goods at Rusty's and Night Markets

Cairns' market scene is anchored by Rusty's Markets (one of Queensland's most extraordinary tropical produce markets, with the diversity of far north Queensland's agricultural output on display every weekend), the famous Night Markets on the Cairns Esplanade, and the weekend farmers markets at Cairns Central and the Tablelands providing both tropical produce and highland specialty food access.

Rusty's Markets, Rusty's Markets (Friday 5am to 6pm; Saturday 5am to 3pm; Sunday 5am to 2pm; Grafton Street Cairns CBD, free entry) are one of Queensland's most extraordinary market experiences: a permanent fresh produce market selling the tropical fruits and vegetables of the Atherton Tablelands and far north Queensland. The diversity of tropical fruit (jackfruit, durian, mangosteen, rambutan, lychee, starfruit, multiple mango varieties, tropical herbs) is unlike any market in southern Australia and reflects the extraordinary agricultural biodiversity of the wet tropics.

Cairns Night Markets, the Cairns Night Markets (daily, The Esplanade Cairns, free entry, stalls open from around 5pm) are Cairns' most visited tourist market, with food stalls, massage, clothing, souvenirs, and artisan goods lining the Esplanade foreshore opposite the lagoon. Best visited for the food and the atmosphere rather than the goods.

Kuranda Markets, the Kuranda Original Rainforest Markets and the Kuranda Heritage Markets (daily in the dry season, Therwine Street and Rob Veivers Drive Kuranda, free entry) are the famous rainforest village markets accessible by Skyrail or the Kuranda Scenic Railway, with the artisan market at the original Kuranda Markets established in 1978 providing handmade jewellery, art, and clothing in a rainforest village setting.

Tablelands Farmers Markets, the Tablelands Farmers Markets (held at Atherton and Mareeba on weekends) provide the Atherton Tablelands' extraordinary agricultural output including coffee, tea, avocados, tropical fruit, and cool-climate vegetables grown at elevation in the volcanic tablelands soil above Cairns.