Ten weekend markets a short drive from Auckland

A weekend market is a quintessential inspiration on what to do on Saturday. Combined with activities around the market from walks in a nearby reserve, exploring a well known art gallery or indulging in a leisurely afternoon in a vineyard courtyard your day is sorted. Weekend markets are an ideal introduction to Aotearoa New Zealand for overseas visitors where you mingle with locals after their weekly vegetable shop. One of kind gifts and inspirational artisans are fertile ground for the perfect present for relatives, family and friends and yourself.

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Carry cash as EFTPOS is not always available or reliable

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Remember your shopping bags and a lined cooler bag for perishable delicious deli goods.

A favourite Sunday day trip to Coatsville to check out the latest artisan goods, home crafted ware and food stalls situated around the Coatsville Settlers Hall. This is a market sure to become a firm calendar date. Country charm meets city urban vibe creating a memorable experience for market goers. It’s well worth the drive, family friendly with lots of trees for kids to chill out.

What to do nearby:

• Okura Scenic Reserve exploration
• Windmill Orchard (in season) pick your own apples and pears

Open 1st Sunday of every month.

A pretty village with more than a touch of Auckland with designer stores, gift shops and a well known ice cream parlour vying for attention with the pop up market stalls. Matakana is home to several artisan bakeries making it a regular stop for day trippers on their way to Snells Beach and beyond. This is a market locally roasted coffee, hand-ground spices and delicious foodie treats make this a great place to bring visitors, of course the locals know about the place already.

What to do nearby:

• Snells beach exploration
• Scandrett Regional Park

Open every Saturday from 8.00am.

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Ask the vendor if s/he attends other markets in the area. It is a useful way to track down your new favourite vendor.

A genuine country market with home made local jam makers supporting the nearby school with knitted tea cosies next to a stall marketing plants. Fresh vegetables and produce together with a range of craft goods. Waipu is a great market destination as the town’s museum is open on market days as well as the reserve encouraging visitors to indulge in an impromptu picnic.

What to do nearby:

• Waipu Heritage Museum
• Bream Bay exploration

Open: The market is largely indoors, Coronation Hall held 2nd Sunday of the month.

Clevedon A&P Showgrounds set the tone for a well respected farm to plate market experience. Local producers include Clevedon Buffalo, heritage tomato growers and olive oil producer, River Estate. A perfect place for picnic treats for a day exploring regional parks and nearby walks.

What to do nearby:

• Duder’s Regional Park
• Cosseys Reservoir walk

Open Every Sunday.

A market that’s fabulous, difficult to find parking due to the terrain and popularity of the market however worth the effort getting there and spending time soaking up the village charm of Titirangi. A world class gem of a gallery with its spectacular vistas of the ranges and west coast beaches.

What to do nearby:

• Visit Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery
• Keep on travelling and check out where wild meets west coast beaches

Open, Last Sunday of every month.

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Remember to check just before departing the market is operating. Due to unforesee events the market can be abruptly cancelled. This is usually due to weather conditions or, more recently covid19 restrictions.

Several markets in the area compete for weekend shoppers. Mangawhai Village Market, held in the Library Hall is a general country market with fresh produce, local cheeses, farm to gate olive oil, bakery goods, plants and books. The market is every Saturday 9.00 – 1.00pm. Mangawhai Tavern Market is situated in the grounds of the iconic Mangawhai Tavern making for a picturesque location. Every Saturday morning.

Mangawhai is home to car boot sales held at Mangawhai Heads Market, Wood Street Shops every Sunday 10.00 – 2.00pm

While in the area check out Pipi Gallery, a very tempting collection of New Zealand artistic ware and Bennetts Cafe and Chocolatier for treats to nibble on the way home.

What to do nearby:

• Visit Mangawhai Heads beach
• Local galleries

Open Saturday morning from 8.00am.

Perhaps you might see wood chopping competition or vintage cars decide to make an appearance. Puhoi with its well known cheese factory is a firm favourite among locals for its farm to gate supplies, the location and the entertainment value. The market is lively with vendors coming from Whangarei through to Waikato. The pretty heritage village is buzzing on market day.

What to do nearby:

• Puhoi Heritage Museum
• Kayak Puhoi River

Open Puhoi Farmers Market —- 9:30am – 1:00pm last Sunday in the month

A great market for families with sheep doing their thing as the market is situated on a working farm. The Kumeu showgrounds are the venue for over 80 stalls, indoors making this a weather protected venue. Auckland buskers are regulars together with home baked goods, farm to gate producers and local artists and bric-a-brac creating a traditional weekend market theme. There are pony rides for children.

What to do nearby:

• Visit a local winery, home to Auckland’s oldest wineries
• Muriwai Beach exploration

Open 3rd Sunday of every month.

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Try to get to the market as early as possible, without half an hour of opening for the best bargains, ease of access and plenty of space parking.  Most markets are not easily accessible via public transport.

Another favourite due to its location under the oaks in Victoria park with the nearby cafes offering temptations to linger. The market is an old fashioned classic with homemade ware, local pickles together with farm to gate producers from the agricultural riches of the Waikato. Live music adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Cambridge is a considerable heritage collection of buildings and monuments giving visitors a reason to tarry longer exploring the district.

What to do nearby:

• The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
• Lake Te Ko Utu (Te Koutu Lake) exploration

Open every Saturday from 8.00am.

Need a reason to cruise the Hauraki Gulf? Here’s a great idea. The Ostend market is excellent with lifestyle and producers create an original market with one of kind wares. While there is unlikely to be home knitted tea cosies there are artisan and artists representing their own works. Together with the cuisine the island is known for you will not be hungry at all while perusing the stalls.

What to do nearby:

• Visit a vineyard on the hop on and hop off bus
• Explore the local shops and the nearby beaches

Open  Saturday 7:30am–1:00pm.

The journey is worth it.