Carrara Markets: Why visit the biggest market on the Gold Coast, Queensland?
The Carrara Markets are the biggest market on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The stalls are hit and miss, but the range of food and entertainment make it a good day out.
The Carrara Markets are the biggest markets on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Held at the corner of Gooding Drive and Manchester Road in the Gold Coast suburb of Carrara every weekend, the Carrara Markets hosts more than 400 stalls.
No-one could accuse the Carrara Markets of having a particular focus, however. A bit of everything is thrown into the pot. There are plenty of fashion and jewellery stalls, while others sell sunglasses, toys and books. Others focus on souvenirs and Australiana.
Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay
The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.
- Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
- Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
- Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
- Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
- Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.
Carrara Markets stalls
Stroll through the Carrara Markets stalls and you’ll also find gemstones, plants, healing crystals, kitchenware, soaps and candles. Then there are traditional market stalls selling fruit and veg.
This lack of focus is either a major part of the appeal, or where the Carrara Markets don’t quite measure up to the likes of the Rocks Market in Sydney, Eumundi Markets on the Sunshine Coast or Mindil Beach Night Market in Darwin. There’s an awful lot to see and browse through, but some of it is undoubtedly tat.
Children’s activities at the biggest market on the Gold Coast
Where the Carrara Markets does come into its own is in its capacity as a day out. There are plenty of attractions for kids, including bungy trampolines, face-painting and putt putt mini golf. There are even pony rides and a mini animal farm.
When you throw in the ten cafés throughout the markets, and dozens of food stalls, it become abundantly clear that you can make the Carrara Markets a day out, rather than something to drop by at if you happen to be in the area.
Carrara Markets opening hours
The Carrara Markets opening hours are more consistent than what’s on the stalls… They’re open from 7am to 3pm, every Saturday and Sunday. They’re closed on Christmas Day, if Christmas Day happens to fall on the weekend. Full stall listings are available on the Markets website.
More coastal Queensland
Take in Surfers Paradise from the Skypoint observation deck at Q1, Australia’s tallest building.
Go camping and walking on Dunk Island near Mission Beach.
Catch the Stradbroke ferry to North Stradbroke Island.
Go kayaking amongst the sandbars of the Pumicestone Passage from Golden Beach in Caloundra.
Dive at Wonder Reef, the Gold Coast’s new artificial reef.