Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Shopping, Markets

10 weekend markets a short drive from Auckland

  • 4 minutes

North Island, New Zealand

Weekend markets are a perennial year round favourite. What to do on Saturday? Find out what’s happening at the local market. Farmers farmers market their produce and up and coming arty types display their creations.

Combine your market experience with a walk in the nearby reserve or linger in an art gallery. Tempting vineyards offer wine tasting. 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 a kind gifts and inspirational artisans are fertile ground for the perfect present for relatives, family and friends and yourself.

TIP

Carry cash as EFTPOS is not always available or reliable.

TIP

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

 

For other trips and holiday inspiration check out Auckland Road Trips.

 

Matakana bag lady, Market stall selling bags at the Matakana Farmers Market, Matakana, New Zealand
Matakana bag lady at the Matakana Farmers Market, Matakana, NZ
  1. Matakana

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 where 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 Matakana:

Open every Saturday from 8.00am.

TIP

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

 

Check out what’s happening in Matakana and plan your next getaway:

  1. Waipu

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:

  • Waipu Heritage Museum
  • Bream Bay exploration

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

@Waipu Boutique Sunday Market & Cafe
@Waipu Boutique Sunday Market & Cafe

Check out what’s happening in Waipu and the Bream Coast

Escape to the beach. Bream Bay is an Auckland favourite destination for a weekend getaway or extended summer holiday.

@Titirangi Village Market
@Titirangi Village Market
  1. Titirangi

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 Titirangi:

Open, Last Sunday of every month.

TIP

Remember to check just before departing when 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.

 

What’s happening in Titirangi

The gateway to the wild west coast beaches where nature is raw power pummeling the beaches with massive ocean surf. Driftwood and iron sands offer a chance to walk on the wild side.

  1. Mangawhai

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 Mangawhai:

  • Visit Mangawhai Heads beach
  • Local galleries

Open Saturday morning from 8.00am.

@Mangawhai Tavern Market
@Mangawhai Tavern Market

What’s happening in Mangawhai

Nature is on offer with brisk headland walks or an opportunity to try your hand at surfing.

@Puhoi Village Market
@Puhoi Village Market
  1. Puhoi Farmers Market

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:

  • Puhoi Heritage Museum
  • Kayak Puhoi River

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

What’s happening in Puhoi

Amazing heritage gems in Scandrett Regional Park to kayaking the Puhoi River.

  1. Kumeu Market

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 Kumeu:

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

Open 3rd Sunday of every month.

@Kumeu Market
@Kumeu Market
TIP

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.

What’s happening in Kumeu

Pack your newly acquired foodie treats and explore wild west coast beaches. Find Te Henga Wetlands & Dune Lakes, nature has provided a stunning example of wetlands, dune lakes on Auckland’s west coast.

@CambMA
@CambMA
  1. Cambridge Farmers Market (known as Waikato Farmers Market)

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 Cambridge:

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

Open every Saturday from 8.00am.

What’s happening in Cambridge

The town of magnificent trees is a delight. With Te Awamutu nearby and top tourist attractions from Hobbiton to Maungatautari  Sanctuary Mountain native predator free reserve there is plenty to do. Art lovers have galleries and the job of high street shopping among the oak trees in Cambridge.

  1. Clevedon

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 Clevedon:

  • Duder’s Regional Park
  • Cosseys Reservoir walk

Open Every Sunday.

@The Clevedon A & P Show
@The Clevedon A & P Show

What’s happening in Clevedon

Escape to the country with a road trip hugging the pohutukawa coast. Spectacular scenery, iconic pohutukawa trees shading the beach, Auckland’s largest native forest reserves and a 30m waterfall in Hunua Regional Park.

@Waiheke Ostend Market
@Waiheke Ostend Market
  1. Waiheke Island Hauraki Gulf

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 a 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 Waiheke Island:

  • 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.

What’s happening in Waiheke Island

Everything from wine trails on the hop on & hop off bus to art galleries. Auckland’s nearest wine region is a short ferry ride on the Hauraki Gulf. Leave the city behind and explore Aucklanders favourite city escape.

  1. Coatesville

A favourite Sunday day trip to Coatesville to check out the latest artisan goods, home crafted ware and food stalls situated around the Coatesville 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 Coatesville:

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

Open 1st Sunday of every month.

@Coatesville market
@Coatesville market

What’s happening in Coatesville

A gateway to Auckland’s wild west beaches and Waitakere Ranges Forest Parks Coatesville offers plenty for visitors to do and see.

Getting to Auckland weekend markets

BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE

Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.

 

Our editors independently visit tour operators, purchase tickets, pay for accommodation, and rate products and places. We are not paid to go on a tour or visit a place. We only make money if you decide to purchase a product through our website links. We promise to never accept free products from manufacturers in return for boosting their products. Read more about our affiliate programme in the terms and conditions HERE.

Related articles

Enquire

If you have a query about content, travel deals or anything else, our team is happy to answer all your questions 🙂

    Your information is secure, no third party involved.
    100% Safe, secure, privacy guaranteed. Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe